Blog Feed

Gifts of the Magi #1: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh — Nativity

The Pilgrimage of the Magi

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the easta and have come to worship Him.”

3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired where the Christ was to be born.

5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’b 

Micah 5:2; see also 2 Samuel 5:2

7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”

9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. 11On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh[8].

12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

References & Reflections

[1] https://biblehub.com/matthew/2-11.htm
[2] https://aleteia.org/2018/01/07/what-do-the-3-gifts-of-the-magi-symbolize/
[3] https://aleteia.org/2018/01/07/why-did-the-magi-bring-gifts-of-gold-frankincense-and-myrrh/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi
[5] https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/significance-of-the-three-kings-gifts/
[6] https://www.gotquestions.org/gold-frankincense-myrrh.html
[7] https://www.gotquestions.org/three-wise-men.html
[8] John 19:39 https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/19-39.htm
[9]  Psalm 72:11
[10] https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Gifts-Meaning-Frankincense-Myrrh/dp/1462116442

Holy Gifts: The True Meaning of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Pamphlet – October 13, 2015
by Mark A. Shields 

Isaiah 9:6 New Living Translation (NLT)

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Stop Working for the Rich! Work for Jesus Proverbs 22

On Life and Conduct

Proverbs 22:16

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
    and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Proverbs 22:16

References & reflections

[1] http://www.thechristianleftblog.org/blog-home/greed-oppression-of-the-poor-by-k-scott-schaeffer
[2] https://www.compassion.com/poverty/what-the-bible-says-about-poverty.htm

Food Miracle #1 “Feeding of the 5,000” — Two Fish and Five Loaves

Feeding the Five Thousand

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”

18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew 14:13-21

REFERENCES & REFLECTIONS

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feeding_the_multitude
[2] https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/2016/05/multiplication-prayer-matthew-14-17-21-loaves-fishes/
[3] https://bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/01/22/kingdom-of-heaven-secret-seed-words-7/
[4] https://bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/01/22/kingdom-of-heaven-secret-seed-words-6/
[5] https://bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/01/22/kingdom-of-heaven-secret-seed-words-5/

Key to a Rich Life: Wisdom — Proverbs 4 #4

Proverbs 4:11-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

Solomon’s Wise Advice

11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways
    and lead you in straight paths.
12 When you walk, you won’t be held back;
    when you run, you won’t stumble.
13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
    Guard them, for they are the key to life.

Proverbs 4:11-13

References & Reflections

[1] Power of Keys https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Power-Keys

Crowns Hillsong — Worship Music

My Wealth is in the Cross!

Lyrics: Crowns Hillsong Worship

There is a hill I cherish
Where stood a precious tree
The emblem of Salvation
The gift of Calvary

How is it I should profit?
While He is crucified
Yet as His life was taken
So I was granted mine

My wealth is in the cross
There’s nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross

I will not boast in riches
I have no pride in gold
But I will boast in Jesus
And in His Name alone

My wealth is in the cross
There’s nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross
Yes all my wealth is in the cross

And when I stand in glory
My crowns before the Lord
Let this be my confession
My wealth is in the cross (hallelujah)

My wealth is in the cross
There’s nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost

And all my wealth is in the cross
There’s nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross

Yes all my wealth is in the cross
My wealth is in the cross
Yes all my wealth is in the cross (hallelujah)

Songwriters: Michael Fatkin / Scott Groom / Benjamin Hastings

Prize of Wisdom: Beautiful Crown! — Proverbs 4 #3

Wisdom’s PrizeA Father’s Wise Advice

8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.

Embrace her, and she will honor you.

9She will place a lovely wreath on your head;

she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

Proverbs 4:8-9
My Wealth is in the Cross!

Wreath of Wisdom: Crown Prize! — Proverbs 4 #4

Wisdom’s WreathA Father’s Wise Advice

8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.

Embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head;

she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

Proverbs 4:8-9
My Wealth is in the Cross!

Rewards for Righteousness —Psalm 18

The LORD Is My Rock
(2 Samuel 22:1-51)

20The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness;

He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.

Psalm 18:20

References & Reflections

[1] http://eagleofdan.blogspot.com/2019/08/psalm-18.html

Secret StoreRoom of Gems: Kingdom of Heaven #4 Mt. 13

The Parable of the Net

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Matthew 13:52

Questions About the Kingdom of Heaven?

Related Readings

  1. Hidden Treasure: Kingdom of Heaven #1 Mt. 13
  2. Precious Pearl of Great Price: Kingdom of Heaven #2 Mt. 13
  3. Revelation 21:20

References & Reflections

[1] https://randscallawayffm.blog/2019/04/25/have-i-got-a-story-for-you/
[2] Revelation 21:20

New Gems of Truth: Kingdom of Heaven #3 Mt. 13

The Parable of the Net

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Matthew 13:52

Questions About the Kingdom of Heaven?

Related Readings

  1. Hidden Treasure: Kingdom of Heaven #1 Mt. 13
  2. Precious Pearl of Great Price: Kingdom of Heaven #2 Mt. 13
  3. Revelation 21:20

References & Reflections

[1] https://randscallawayffm.blog/2019/04/25/have-i-got-a-story-for-you/
[2] Revelation 21:20

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started