Today is Tuesday. Scripture records more of Jesus' teachings for this single day than any other. Just over five percent of the entire New Testament relates the words of Jesus spoken on the Tuesday before His death.
"Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
~ Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)
Jesus begins the day with the above exhortation. He goes on to verbally spar with and utterly vanquish various members of Jewish leadership. He rebukes religious hypocrites. He affirms both a scribe who understands the heart of the law—love the Lord and love neighbor (Mark 12:28-34)—as well as the destitute widow who gives more with two mites than any rich man (Luke 21:1-4). He describes in detail for His disciples (and us!) the signs to accompany His second coming. He tells numerous parables.
The day is a feast of words like no other.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)
Here is the Word of God in all His glory, wielding truth and displaying grace.
The Word of God made flesh closes His last day of public teaching by describing one of the final events humanity will experience as our era closes. It well sums up the heart of all else Jesus has taught.
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry … thirsty … a stranger … naked … sick … in prison …?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels … Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "
~ Matthew 25:34-41, 45 (NKJV)
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2013, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Word Made Flesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Word Made Flesh. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Cause for Celebration
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. He calls Himself the Bread of Life. He says His flesh is real food.
Food is our sustenance and satisfaction, our delight and signal of relationship. Food is both cause for celebration and our way of celebrating anything and everything.
Jesus—the Word of God, recorded for us in the Bible—is all of this for our souls and more.
So what does the Word of God say His food is? What, for Jesus, is sustenance, satisfaction, delight, relationship, and cause for celebration?
The Father's word—the Father's will and work.
In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." ... Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
~ John 4:31,34 (NKJV)
Our Father in Heaven, please make Your will as food for us. By Your Holy Spirit, please make Your will not only our food, but our continual cause for celebration.
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Food is our sustenance and satisfaction, our delight and signal of relationship. Food is both cause for celebration and our way of celebrating anything and everything.
Jesus—the Word of God, recorded for us in the Bible—is all of this for our souls and more.
So what does the Word of God say His food is? What, for Jesus, is sustenance, satisfaction, delight, relationship, and cause for celebration?
The Father's word—the Father's will and work.
In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." ... Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
~ John 4:31,34 (NKJV)
Our Father in Heaven, please make Your will as food for us. By Your Holy Spirit, please make Your will not only our food, but our continual cause for celebration.
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Monday, October 24, 2011
He Will Tell Us All
The [Samaritan] woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."
~ John 4:25-26 (NKJV)
Of all the surprises in the passage about the Samaritan woman, I am struck by the fact that not only does an adulterous Samaritan woman boldly proclaim faith in Christ with the words, "He will tell us all things," but that Jesus first recorded declaration of Himself as the Christ is to her.
How does this woman have such faith? Is it because all else in life has failed her that she is willing to rely upon the Christ to be true? Is such simple faith all Jesus looks for?
I remember clearly the startling day in 1985 when I met the Word of God made flesh. I'd heard about Jesus and read the Bible all my life. But when I first heard Scripture read with authority, there was no doubt in my mind that I had found the reliable Source of Truth, and I've not had a day's doubt since.
I've been called naïve for such belief. I sometimes take for granted such faith as a gift from God.
But then, He surely smiles upon any one of us, and reveals Himself to us, when we are utterly willing to believe:
He will tell us all, and we need look no further.
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
~ John 4:25-26 (NKJV)
Of all the surprises in the passage about the Samaritan woman, I am struck by the fact that not only does an adulterous Samaritan woman boldly proclaim faith in Christ with the words, "He will tell us all things," but that Jesus first recorded declaration of Himself as the Christ is to her.
How does this woman have such faith? Is it because all else in life has failed her that she is willing to rely upon the Christ to be true? Is such simple faith all Jesus looks for?
I remember clearly the startling day in 1985 when I met the Word of God made flesh. I'd heard about Jesus and read the Bible all my life. But when I first heard Scripture read with authority, there was no doubt in my mind that I had found the reliable Source of Truth, and I've not had a day's doubt since.
I've been called naïve for such belief. I sometimes take for granted such faith as a gift from God.
But then, He surely smiles upon any one of us, and reveals Himself to us, when we are utterly willing to believe:
He will tell us all, and we need look no further.
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
My God
"Did time stand still?Did everything that hath breath hold it?"
~ Sandra Heska King
More than two millennia ago, as birth pangs came upon a young virgin, did any of her forefather David's words of suffering come into her mind?
I am poured out like water ...
My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.
My strength is dried up ...
You have brought Me to the dust of death.
~ Psalms 22:14-15
Could she know that the same psalm prophesied the experience of her Son?
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? ....
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet ...
They look and stare at Me.
~ Psalms 22:1,16-18
Thirty-three years later, when Mary watched Her Son's agony as His Father turned away, did she know that His thoughts included His mother's comforts and His trust in God?
But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts.
I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother's womb You have been My God.
~ Psalms 22:9-10
We unite with one another to celebrate the Word of God becoming flesh, and we call to mind that God subjected Himself to the whole of human experience as one of us.
My God, my God, thank You for the gift of Jesus, Your Word in warm, loving flesh. Thank You for rescue from the dust of death. Thank You for never forsaking me.
Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail me ~ buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
My Lord and My God
Yesterday a comment was posted to Thursday's Father, Son, Spirit, inviting the viewing of a two-hour video to "aid the quest for truth" on the identity of Jesus. I verified that the video is by Unitarians and sought to prove Jesus human alone and not God. The comment was deleted. I offer not apology but the following apologetic.
My Lord and My God
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)
In 1985, after 23 years of hearing and reading the Bible—of believing Jesus to be the divine Son of God—I met Jesus the Word of God. The experience of hearing the Word speak with authority was love at first sight. In the 25 years since that day, the Bible has been my first and last authority for faith. It has yet to let me down. It has sustained me through every dark hour. It has lifted me up to pinnacles of love for God and neighbor of which I am otherwise incapable.
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
~ John 20:28-29 (NKJV)
Having the Bible turn my world upside down made me willing to question everything I'd been taught and measure it against Scripture. When it was proposed to me in 1990 that Jesus being the Son of God did not make Him divine, I readily examined it with an open mind, in search of truth. The texts throughout both Old and New Testament which declare Him God are numerous. The voice of the Holy Spirit has confirmed them repeatedly. The testimony of countless Christians matches what I know by personal experience beyond a shadow of a doubt: Jesus could not do for those He touches the miracles He performs if He were less than God.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
~ Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)
No entity but Almighty God may be worshiped. To Him alone do we bow the knee in prayer, in faith, in worship. To Him alone do we lift up voice and hands to praise, to exalt, to magnify as Lord. Angels refuse such worship and praise. True disciples of Jesus refuse such worship and praise. Yet Jesus accepted such worship and praise not only because He is worthy of it, but because it brings glory to the Father. Those who wish to exalt God do so by exalting Jesus.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist... He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.
~ 2 John 1:7-10 (NKJV)
For as long as I host this blog, it will not welcome or give space to those who masquerade as "Pastor" and declare on behalf of satan that Jesus is anything less than God made flesh in order to deny Him homage.
If I use two of the precious hours Jesus my Creator lends me in quest of truth, I will praise Him for the beauty of His creation. I will search out Jesus the divine Word of God in the Bible. I will bow the knee in prayer to Him Who is Savior of my soul, Lord of my life, King of my future.
Father Almighty, for as long as I draw breath, I will exalt Your Son Jesus Christ as my Lord and my God.
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#knowingGod
Art image by Riek Jonker
Friday, December 25, 2009
Day Eight: Word (declaration)
"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.
"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and upon those who sat in the region
and shadow of death light has dawned."
~ Matthew 4:16
Day Eight: Word (declaration)
dabar: masc noun, "a word, matter; a command or royal decree" [the Ten Commandments were literally called the ten words of the Lord]
From dabar: verb, "to arrange, to speak; can also mean think"
Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.
~ Psalms 119:89 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)
Here in John is my favorite account of God born as Man. God's Word, by which He created everything but humanity, is so powerful that it is not an abstract, but the Person of Jesus Christ.
On the day I met the Person of the Word of God via the Bible, it was love at first sight. Everything changed for me that day, no less than I can imagine it changed for shepherds or Magi who met a Savior and King.
Here is the miracle of Christmas: by no more than the Word of God delivered by an angel, and by the simple word of surrender by a young maiden, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived Jesus.
Here is the miracle of Christ: by no more than the Word of the Gospel from God and the simple word of surrender by one of us, the Holy Spirit enters to create in us the life and light of Jesus Christ.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.
~ John 1:4-5 (NKJV)
Be blessed in today's celebration of the Word of light and life.
Father, thank You for the greatest gift You might ever give: Yourself, Your Word, Your life, in Your Son. May we never cease to thank and praise You for the goodness and light in Jesus.
#knowingGod
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from unitedvision.me
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Looking Unto Jesus
"Jesus became like us so we could become like Him."
~ Attributed to early church leaders
~ Attributed to early church leaders
Looking Unto Jesus
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame ...
~ Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14 (ESV)
The heavens declare the glory of God.
~ Psalms 19:1 (NKJV)
We become like that which we gaze upon most.
If we gaze upon discouraging situations, we will be discouraged.
If we gaze upon temptations and failures, we will continue to fail.
If we gaze upon the things of this world, we will be like this world.
If we gaze upon blessings, we will be blessed—and thankful.
If we lovingly gaze upon loved ones, we will be love—and loved.
If we are looking unto Jesus, we will become like Him.
We look upon Him on every page of the Bible, because Jesus is the Word of God. We look upon Him in moments of quiet prayer and in anguished pleas for deliverance.
When we look upon Him, we find grace and truth—and we behold His glory. And like the heavens in which His glory also dwells, we cannot help but declare it.
Lord Jesus, for some thirty-three years You walked in this world. You knew its struggles and temptations and pain. You, the Man of Sorrows, endured much agony, yet endured it until the final cry, "It is finished!" Give us endurance, and fill our mouths with praise of Your glory.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame ...
~ Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14 (ESV)
The heavens declare the glory of God.
~ Psalms 19:1 (NKJV)
We become like that which we gaze upon most.
If we gaze upon discouraging situations, we will be discouraged.
If we gaze upon temptations and failures, we will continue to fail.
If we gaze upon the things of this world, we will be like this world.
If we gaze upon blessings, we will be blessed—and thankful.
If we lovingly gaze upon loved ones, we will be love—and loved.
If we are looking unto Jesus, we will become like Him.
We look upon Him on every page of the Bible, because Jesus is the Word of God. We look upon Him in moments of quiet prayer and in anguished pleas for deliverance.
When we look upon Him, we find grace and truth—and we behold His glory. And like the heavens in which His glory also dwells, we cannot help but declare it.
Lord Jesus, for some thirty-three years You walked in this world. You knew its struggles and temptations and pain. You, the Man of Sorrows, endured much agony, yet endured it until the final cry, "It is finished!" Give us endurance, and fill our mouths with praise of Your glory.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Power of Words
"What's in a word?
Consider the difference between a wise man and a wise guy."
~ Anonymous
Consider the difference between a wise man and a wise guy."
~ Anonymous
My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them! They want to serve themselves and not Christ the Lord. Their flattery and fancy talk fool people who don't know any better.
~ Romans 16:17-18 (CEV)
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "... I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
~ Matthew 12:25,36-37 (NKJV)
Consider the power of words.
With words we impart to others the power of knowledge or undermine truth.
With words we can steal hope or inspire faith.
With words we can cut others to pieces or build them up.
The pen is mightier than the sword because the sword can only take life. With words we have the power to destroy the lives of others, or to restore the lives of others.
With nothing more than His Word, the Creator fashioned the entire universe and everything in it save mankind, Whom He created with His touch and kiss of life.
With the Word made flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ, God has redeemed our souls.
Father God, what great power you entrust to us with words. We are not worthy or able to use them aright apart from You. Please conform our hearts to that of Your Son, that we might be able to exalt You and edify others in the use of our words.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
What Advantage?
What advantage then has the Jew ...? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles [logion] of God. For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.
~ Romans 3:1-4 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)
When Paul poses a rhetorical question to ask what advantage there was to being Jewish, he did not first mention things such as covenants, or the Promised Land, or the lineage of David related to the monarchy of God's earthly kingdom. Paul speaks foremost of God's Word.
God's Word was entrusted to the Jews both in the Old Testament Scriptures, and in the person of Jesus Christ—the Word (Greek logos) Who is both God and God become Man. The Word of God is revelation of the plan, promises, and most importantly, the Person of God.
This is also the advantage of the Christian who believes the Bible is not merely a historical or philosophical book of some importance. It is not simply the "Owner's Manual for Life." It is not given to elevate man by the knowledge it imparts. The Bible is God's very Word—His logos—intelligent and eloquent revelation and reasoning from God Himself. It is certainly much more, but if it is anything less, then our religion of forgiveness and charity and selflessness is rightfully seen as on par with other religions.
What advantage then has the Christian? Much in every way! What sets Christianity apart is that to us is entrusted the Word of God in the Old and New Testament Scriptures—and in the relationship with Jesus Christ available to all who confess Him Lord by their testimony, and who believe in their hearts (and not with only head knowledge) that He is raised from the dead, a living God (Romans 10:9).
Living Word, You woo our hearts with your eloquence and beauty. You are all that is good and perfect and wise. You pull back heaven's curtain and reveal to mankind the Person of God, and we'd be blessed to know Him alone if nothing else. Thank You for all else You are to us. Thank You for being the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Who endured the cross on our behalf.
Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
~ Romans 3:1-4 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)
When Paul poses a rhetorical question to ask what advantage there was to being Jewish, he did not first mention things such as covenants, or the Promised Land, or the lineage of David related to the monarchy of God's earthly kingdom. Paul speaks foremost of God's Word.
God's Word was entrusted to the Jews both in the Old Testament Scriptures, and in the person of Jesus Christ—the Word (Greek logos) Who is both God and God become Man. The Word of God is revelation of the plan, promises, and most importantly, the Person of God.
This is also the advantage of the Christian who believes the Bible is not merely a historical or philosophical book of some importance. It is not simply the "Owner's Manual for Life." It is not given to elevate man by the knowledge it imparts. The Bible is God's very Word—His logos—intelligent and eloquent revelation and reasoning from God Himself. It is certainly much more, but if it is anything less, then our religion of forgiveness and charity and selflessness is rightfully seen as on par with other religions.
What advantage then has the Christian? Much in every way! What sets Christianity apart is that to us is entrusted the Word of God in the Old and New Testament Scriptures—and in the relationship with Jesus Christ available to all who confess Him Lord by their testimony, and who believe in their hearts (and not with only head knowledge) that He is raised from the dead, a living God (Romans 10:9).
Living Word, You woo our hearts with your eloquence and beauty. You are all that is good and perfect and wise. You pull back heaven's curtain and reveal to mankind the Person of God, and we'd be blessed to know Him alone if nothing else. Thank You for all else You are to us. Thank You for being the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Who endured the cross on our behalf.
Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Word
[The Bereans] received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so... All the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
~ Acts 17:11,21 (NKJV)
My eyes fail from searching Your word ...
~ Psalms 119:82 (NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword ... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
~ Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
I'm hopelessly uninterested in the latest technology innovations. I'm equally boring domestically, content to decorate once and be done with it, and to stick with tested recipes I'm less likely to ruin. But when it comes to the Word of God, I'm a cross between Berean and Athenian, able to spend my time in nothing else but tell or hear some new thing I've searched the Scriptures over.
Forgive the repetition, but I'm convinced not a single verse of the Bible is boring, and welcome the challenge to prove it. I'm continually amazed that I can read an ancient passage I've seen countless times before, and discover some new thing which makes my heart alive with wonder.
The Word of God is alive and powerful, a sword to cut right to the heart of a matter. The Word of God is God Himself made flesh, and is therefore and foremost a revelation of God, of whom knowledge cannot be exhausted.
I'm madly in love with the Word, and I pray it rubs off on you.
Word of God, You are beautiful and wise, omniscient and omnipotent. Thank You for putting us where the Word is plentifully available. Please send the Word quickly and abundantly to those who anxiously wait for Bibles, a treasure above anything else we might own.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy
~ Acts 17:11,21 (NKJV)
My eyes fail from searching Your word ...
~ Psalms 119:82 (NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword ... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
~ Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
I'm hopelessly uninterested in the latest technology innovations. I'm equally boring domestically, content to decorate once and be done with it, and to stick with tested recipes I'm less likely to ruin. But when it comes to the Word of God, I'm a cross between Berean and Athenian, able to spend my time in nothing else but tell or hear some new thing I've searched the Scriptures over.
Forgive the repetition, but I'm convinced not a single verse of the Bible is boring, and welcome the challenge to prove it. I'm continually amazed that I can read an ancient passage I've seen countless times before, and discover some new thing which makes my heart alive with wonder.
The Word of God is alive and powerful, a sword to cut right to the heart of a matter. The Word of God is God Himself made flesh, and is therefore and foremost a revelation of God, of whom knowledge cannot be exhausted.
I'm madly in love with the Word, and I pray it rubs off on you.
Word of God, You are beautiful and wise, omniscient and omnipotent. Thank You for putting us where the Word is plentifully available. Please send the Word quickly and abundantly to those who anxiously wait for Bibles, a treasure above anything else we might own.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sweeter than Honey
He will speak to this people,
To whom He said,
"This is the rest with which
You may cause the weary to rest,"
And, "This is the refreshing";
Yet they would not hear.
But the word of the LORD was to them,
"Precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,
Here a little, there a little."
Isaiah 28:11-13 (NKJV)
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding.
Psalms 119:103-104 (NKJV)
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
For your love is better than wine...
Your lips, O my spouse,
Drip as the honeycomb;
Honey and milk are under your tongue.
Song of Solomon 1:2; 4:11 (NKJV)
Two of my children delight in Mommy kisses. Two still tolerate them fairly nicely. The youngest, nearly four, usually loves my kisses, but has moments when he pushes away. Then there are kisses between my husband and me. "Sweeter than honey" only begins to describe those.
To receive God's Word is to receive kisses from One who passionately loves us. I have a confession: when I hit the keyboard combo to open my computer Bible, or turn the cover of my study Bible, my heart beats faster with anticipation. I easily get lost, amazed later at how much time has gone by. The Lord's kisses are more than refreshing, and way sweeter than honey.
Others see a Bible and think, "precept upon precept, line upon line, blah, blah, blah." To them I say, you really don't know what you're missing. Give God's Word a closer, slower read.
Word of God made flesh, Your love is intoxicating—better than wine, better than the finest delicacies, better than anything this life offers. Please give us hearts that long for Your words, gladly receive Your words, and continually think of Your words.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
To whom He said,
"This is the rest with which
You may cause the weary to rest,"
And, "This is the refreshing";
Yet they would not hear.
But the word of the LORD was to them,
"Precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,
Here a little, there a little."
Isaiah 28:11-13 (NKJV)
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding.
Psalms 119:103-104 (NKJV)
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
For your love is better than wine...
Your lips, O my spouse,
Drip as the honeycomb;
Honey and milk are under your tongue.
Song of Solomon 1:2; 4:11 (NKJV)
Two of my children delight in Mommy kisses. Two still tolerate them fairly nicely. The youngest, nearly four, usually loves my kisses, but has moments when he pushes away. Then there are kisses between my husband and me. "Sweeter than honey" only begins to describe those.
To receive God's Word is to receive kisses from One who passionately loves us. I have a confession: when I hit the keyboard combo to open my computer Bible, or turn the cover of my study Bible, my heart beats faster with anticipation. I easily get lost, amazed later at how much time has gone by. The Lord's kisses are more than refreshing, and way sweeter than honey.
Others see a Bible and think, "precept upon precept, line upon line, blah, blah, blah." To them I say, you really don't know what you're missing. Give God's Word a closer, slower read.
Word of God made flesh, Your love is intoxicating—better than wine, better than the finest delicacies, better than anything this life offers. Please give us hearts that long for Your words, gladly receive Your words, and continually think of Your words.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Awesome God
And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts
Called for weeping and for mourning ...
But instead, joy and gladness ...
"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts,
"Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you,
Even to your death," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Isaiah 22:12-14 (NKJV)
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men ... either in this age or in the age to come." ~ Matthew 12:31-32 (NKJV)
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ... It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:29,31 (NKJV)
Those holding power expect to be taken seriously. When a man is face to face with a judge who has found him guilty of murder and is about to pronounce sentence, it will not help to crack open a beer and pretzels in the courtroom and say, "if I'm going down, I'll go down partying."
The amazing grace and mercy of God are not without limit. The Lord did not appreciate ancient Israel flouting imminent punishment. Jesus clearly demonstrated the power and authority of God Himself and warned of no forgiveness for those who snubbed God's Spirit as satanic.
Before he was promoted to heaven, Rich Mullins sang thus of our Awesome God:
"When He rolls up His sleeves He ain't just 'puttin' on the Ritz' ...
There's thunder in his footsteps and lightning in His fists ...
And the Lord wasn't jokin' when He kicked 'em out of Eden,
It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood,
His return is very soon and so you'd better be believin' that
Our God is an Awesome God."
Jesus arrived on earth as a humble babe just over two thousand years ago. His next arrival will be in power.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
AWESOME GOD by Rich Mullins, from the album Winds of Heaven...Stuff of Earth / © 1988 BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP)
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Called for weeping and for mourning ...
But instead, joy and gladness ...
"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts,
"Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you,
Even to your death," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Isaiah 22:12-14 (NKJV)
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men ... either in this age or in the age to come." ~ Matthew 12:31-32 (NKJV)
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ... It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:29,31 (NKJV)
Those holding power expect to be taken seriously. When a man is face to face with a judge who has found him guilty of murder and is about to pronounce sentence, it will not help to crack open a beer and pretzels in the courtroom and say, "if I'm going down, I'll go down partying."
The amazing grace and mercy of God are not without limit. The Lord did not appreciate ancient Israel flouting imminent punishment. Jesus clearly demonstrated the power and authority of God Himself and warned of no forgiveness for those who snubbed God's Spirit as satanic.
Before he was promoted to heaven, Rich Mullins sang thus of our Awesome God:
"When He rolls up His sleeves He ain't just 'puttin' on the Ritz' ...
There's thunder in his footsteps and lightning in His fists ...
And the Lord wasn't jokin' when He kicked 'em out of Eden,
It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood,
His return is very soon and so you'd better be believin' that
Our God is an Awesome God."
Jesus arrived on earth as a humble babe just over two thousand years ago. His next arrival will be in power.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
AWESOME GOD by Rich Mullins, from the album Winds of Heaven...Stuff of Earth / © 1988 BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP)
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday Freelance: FESTIVALS OF LIGHTS
2008's winter solstice occurs at 7:04 a.m. EST this Sunday, December 21, when the North Pole is at its furthest point of tilt away from the sun.
If you prefer poetic over scientific ...
At dawn this Lord's day, light will increase and darkness will retreat as days grow longer and nights become shorter.
Numerous pagan religions celebrate the date when darkness climaxes in the Northern Hemisphere. It is noteworthy that while pagans celebrate darkness, Jewish and Christian holidays both celebrate light.
Sunday evening marks the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Jews celebrate Hanukkah (or Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22) on the 25th of Kislev (about four days before a December new moon), which this year occurs in Israel within a scant couple of hours of the solstice—an extremely rare concurrence.
Hanukkah commemorates when the Jews in 165 BC successfully rebelled against the Greek empire for its prohibition to practice Judaism and desecration of the Jerusalem temple. When ancient Jews rededicated the cleansed temple, they had one day's oil for the temple lamp, but the lamp miraculously burned for eight days until they obtained more oil.
On Wednesday evening, across the globe life and business as usual will screech to a halt while Christians and non-Christians alike commemorate the birth of Christ. Jesus' birth date is unknown, but was not likely a winter month, when shepherds didn't sleep in open fields. Many think Jesus was born at the Feast of Sukkoth, or Booths, in early autumn. A December date for the Christmas holiday is the Roman church's alternative to (or consolidation with) pagan celebration of the solstice.
Regardless of any argument against Christmas for inaccurate date or pagan correlation, God's gift of Jesus is certainly cause for celebration of light. Matthew highlights Jesus' appearance as fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NIV) When the apostle John in his Gospel describes God becoming flesh to dwell with us, he speaks of Jesus as "the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9 NKJV) And Jesus says of Himself, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12 NKJV)
The time when darkness reigns is well suited to celebrating both Jesus coming as Light, and the temple light which once burned miraculously in Jerusalem. Hanukkah and Christmas will even be celebrated together on December 25th, 2016—a treat (or for some, conflict) happening about three times a century.
These two celebrations also converge every year, every day. Jesus tells us we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Victorious over the oppressive enemy through bloodshed, we are now the temples of His Holy Spirit, the place where God's presence and light dwell, miraculously illuminating a very dark world.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
If you prefer poetic over scientific ...
At dawn this Lord's day, light will increase and darkness will retreat as days grow longer and nights become shorter.
Numerous pagan religions celebrate the date when darkness climaxes in the Northern Hemisphere. It is noteworthy that while pagans celebrate darkness, Jewish and Christian holidays both celebrate light.
Sunday evening marks the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Jews celebrate Hanukkah (or Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22) on the 25th of Kislev (about four days before a December new moon), which this year occurs in Israel within a scant couple of hours of the solstice—an extremely rare concurrence.
Hanukkah commemorates when the Jews in 165 BC successfully rebelled against the Greek empire for its prohibition to practice Judaism and desecration of the Jerusalem temple. When ancient Jews rededicated the cleansed temple, they had one day's oil for the temple lamp, but the lamp miraculously burned for eight days until they obtained more oil.
On Wednesday evening, across the globe life and business as usual will screech to a halt while Christians and non-Christians alike commemorate the birth of Christ. Jesus' birth date is unknown, but was not likely a winter month, when shepherds didn't sleep in open fields. Many think Jesus was born at the Feast of Sukkoth, or Booths, in early autumn. A December date for the Christmas holiday is the Roman church's alternative to (or consolidation with) pagan celebration of the solstice.
Regardless of any argument against Christmas for inaccurate date or pagan correlation, God's gift of Jesus is certainly cause for celebration of light. Matthew highlights Jesus' appearance as fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NIV) When the apostle John in his Gospel describes God becoming flesh to dwell with us, he speaks of Jesus as "the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9 NKJV) And Jesus says of Himself, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12 NKJV)
The time when darkness reigns is well suited to celebrating both Jesus coming as Light, and the temple light which once burned miraculously in Jerusalem. Hanukkah and Christmas will even be celebrated together on December 25th, 2016—a treat (or for some, conflict) happening about three times a century.
These two celebrations also converge every year, every day. Jesus tells us we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Victorious over the oppressive enemy through bloodshed, we are now the temples of His Holy Spirit, the place where God's presence and light dwell, miraculously illuminating a very dark world.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Son of Man
Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "... You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. (Mark 14:61-64 NKJV)
See to it that no one enslaves you through philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of God lives in bodily form. (Colossians 2:8-9 ISV)
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV)
We are human, and distinguish Jesus with the title, "Son of God." He is God, and distinguishes Himself with the title, "The Son of Man." Were He not first God, He would not need to make such distinction. It is as if the fullness of God is so evident that Jesus convinces us of His humanity.
The celebration of Jesus' birth (whatever month it actually occurred) is acknowledgment of Him as Immanuel—God with us, as Son of Man—to do what no man had any hope to do: save His people from their sins. If we believe He is anything less than the eternal God come to earth clothed in human flesh, we are enslaved to empty deceit.
When Jesus stood on trial before the high priest, He was condemned to death that the circumstances of His birth might be refuted. The crux of the case against Him was His claim to deity. Each of us must likewise judge: Is The Son of Man indeed "my Lord and my God"?
Almighty Infinite Father, Wonderful Merciful Savior, Counselor-Comforter-Keeper: You are the One we worship; You are the One who alone satisfies our human hearts; You are the One who alone gives the healing and grace we cannot live without. You alone are Lord and God.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
See to it that no one enslaves you through philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of God lives in bodily form. (Colossians 2:8-9 ISV)
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV)
We are human, and distinguish Jesus with the title, "Son of God." He is God, and distinguishes Himself with the title, "The Son of Man." Were He not first God, He would not need to make such distinction. It is as if the fullness of God is so evident that Jesus convinces us of His humanity.
The celebration of Jesus' birth (whatever month it actually occurred) is acknowledgment of Him as Immanuel—God with us, as Son of Man—to do what no man had any hope to do: save His people from their sins. If we believe He is anything less than the eternal God come to earth clothed in human flesh, we are enslaved to empty deceit.
When Jesus stood on trial before the high priest, He was condemned to death that the circumstances of His birth might be refuted. The crux of the case against Him was His claim to deity. Each of us must likewise judge: Is The Son of Man indeed "my Lord and my God"?
Almighty Infinite Father, Wonderful Merciful Savior, Counselor-Comforter-Keeper: You are the One we worship; You are the One who alone satisfies our human hearts; You are the One who alone gives the healing and grace we cannot live without. You alone are Lord and God.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Thursday, September 4, 2008
You Are What You Eat
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life. ... For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. ... He who feeds on Me will live because of Me." (John 6:53-57 NKJV)
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
(John 6:35 NKJV)
"Any animal or bird that may be eaten ... pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood.' "
(Leviticus 17:13-14 NKJV)
The Israelite preparation of meat included taking the time to thoroughly cleanse it of the blood—of the animal’s life. Contrast Jesus—the Word made flesh—who tells us to feed on His flesh with the blood in it, that His life would become ours.
It would be easier to simply eat a wafer of bread and drink the fruit of the vine in sharing the communion of the Lord’s Table, and leave it at that. To feed on the flesh of the Word is to take time to thoroughly digest it, and to believe in it immediately, while it is fresh, with the life in it.
We are made in the image of God so that we will be like God. To feed on Jesus, the Word of God, is to fulfill the adage, "You are what you eat."
Lord Jesus, You alone are life. Your Spirit breathes in us. Your flesh of God's Word feeds us. Your blood both cleanses of the sin that kills and sustains Your life in our flesh. Please enable us to receive You in every way You give Yourself for us.
Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
(John 6:35 NKJV)
"Any animal or bird that may be eaten ... pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood.' "
(Leviticus 17:13-14 NKJV)
The Israelite preparation of meat included taking the time to thoroughly cleanse it of the blood—of the animal’s life. Contrast Jesus—the Word made flesh—who tells us to feed on His flesh with the blood in it, that His life would become ours.
It would be easier to simply eat a wafer of bread and drink the fruit of the vine in sharing the communion of the Lord’s Table, and leave it at that. To feed on the flesh of the Word is to take time to thoroughly digest it, and to believe in it immediately, while it is fresh, with the life in it.
We are made in the image of God so that we will be like God. To feed on Jesus, the Word of God, is to fulfill the adage, "You are what you eat."
Lord Jesus, You alone are life. Your Spirit breathes in us. Your flesh of God's Word feeds us. Your blood both cleanses of the sin that kills and sustains Your life in our flesh. Please enable us to receive You in every way You give Yourself for us.
Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Word of God
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:1-4,14 NKJV)
[Thus] says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace ..."
(Isaiah 55:8-12 NKJV)
This is my testimony: I grew up hearing Jesus is God, Jesus died for my sins, the Bible is the Word of God. I understood only that Jesus is God. Then one day in autumn 1985, on a quest for truth, I met the Word of God in the Person of Jesus. It was love at first sight.
Life and Light and Love entered my life that day. He has never left me, and I have never been the same. The Word has been a Sword to pierce me (even as He was pierced) and Water to wash me. He is God’s Seed producing the Spirit’s fruit in my life. He is Grace and Truth, Joy and Peace. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other way, no other truth, no other life.
I am still in love. Building His Body exists in the hope that each person touched by my words will grow in love for the Word of God made flesh. He lives, and He is found in the pages of a book stamped in letters of gold, "Holy Bible."
Lord Jesus, I have beheld only part of Your glory, and You are beautiful. Your love for us is amazing. Thank You for making Yourself known. Thank You for giving Yourself for us so fully. Thank You for giving life to us who were once dead and didn’t know it.
Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
(John 1:1-4,14 NKJV)
[Thus] says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace ..."
(Isaiah 55:8-12 NKJV)
This is my testimony: I grew up hearing Jesus is God, Jesus died for my sins, the Bible is the Word of God. I understood only that Jesus is God. Then one day in autumn 1985, on a quest for truth, I met the Word of God in the Person of Jesus. It was love at first sight.
Life and Light and Love entered my life that day. He has never left me, and I have never been the same. The Word has been a Sword to pierce me (even as He was pierced) and Water to wash me. He is God’s Seed producing the Spirit’s fruit in my life. He is Grace and Truth, Joy and Peace. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other way, no other truth, no other life.
I am still in love. Building His Body exists in the hope that each person touched by my words will grow in love for the Word of God made flesh. He lives, and He is found in the pages of a book stamped in letters of gold, "Holy Bible."
Lord Jesus, I have beheld only part of Your glory, and You are beautiful. Your love for us is amazing. Thank You for making Yourself known. Thank You for giving Yourself for us so fully. Thank You for giving life to us who were once dead and didn’t know it.
Comments are invited! Post here, or e-mail via profile page.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
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