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Hide And Seek – The Bible talks about ‘Hide And Seek’. In fact it has a lot to say about ‘Hide and Seek’.

Reading: Isaiah 55:6-12

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Be still, and know that I am God. I think many of us are familiar with this exhortation. But, being still and waiting is not something that we find easy.  Some of us need to be on the go. Others of us need to have our plans. Many of us find the whole idea of waiting difficult.

As I began thinking and praying about how we work this out. I kept coming back to the Biblical command, Wait for the Lord. Wait for the Lord!  and another command, Seek the Lord. Having settled that this was this Sunday and next … I sat down to watch the film ‘Prince Caspian’. It is based on the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis.

I suddenly found myself … taking not just note of what I was watching … I was taking actual notes about what I was watching.  Lucy, the youngest, urged Peter, WAIT For Aslan. Peter replied that they had waited long enough for Aslan.

Reading: Psalm 27:1-14

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This is God’s Word for all and for all time, for every generation. However, it is also God’s Word for us at this particular time. It is his word to us at the  beginning of the new year. Jesus said, “I will build my church.”

“I will build my church.” Who does he think that he is? Listen to the emphasis, “I will build my church.”

“I will build my church.” To modern ears alarm bells start to ring. These sound like the words of a dangerous fanatic. They sound like the alarming claim of a messianic cult leader.  But this is no cult figure. This is no messianic cult leader. This is the Messiah, God’s Promised Deliverer – Jesus.

Reading: Matthew 16:13-28

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An astrophysicist was conducting a lecture tour of the UK.His chauffeur, after hearing the same verbatim lecture for the umpteenth time, remarked that he thought he could deliver it himself.  The professor took up the challenge, they swapped places, and the chauffeur duly delivered the lecture almost word perfectly. Unfortunately for him, he finished five minutes early.

Readings: Isaiah 9:6-7, Hebrew 1:1-3

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Isaiah prophecies saying, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Coming One is Mighty God. By means of the words ‘child’ and ‘is born’ Isaiah calls attention to the Coming One’s humanity but by the phrase ‘Mighty God’ we are brought face to face with the Coming One’s deity.

And so we come to Bethlehem … And as we do so, the song writer asks the question, “Who is he in yonder stallat whose feet the shepherds fall?”

Reading Psalm 147, Isaiah 9:6-7

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I am certain that come meal time Mary and Joseph did not shout, Jesus, Immanuel, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, come in your supper is ready.

Yet the prophet Isaiah clearly states, The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah says, To us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A message for the first Sunday in Advent

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 1:18-25

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It must be about thirty five years ago that I first saw the film. And I guess that by today’s standards it must be dated. Yet, ‘In His Steps’ had a profound message. The challenge was primarily for Christians. It was a call to live a godly life. – a life that revealed Jesus:  To do what Jesus would do.

The film, ‘In His Steps’, was based on the book by the same. And both film and book were inspired by1 Peter 2:21. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Although Peter is addressing slaves … calling them to the patient endurance of personal injustice, I am certain that the message, the calling, is for all believers.

Bible: 1 Peter 2:13-25

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Reading 2 Timothy 2:1-13

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Follow. Follow. We will follow Rangers – Everywhere!  Anywhere!  We will follow on. = Dundee. Hamilton. Aberdeen and back again – If they go to Dublin we will follow on — For there’s not a Team like the Glasgow Rangers.

It’s a supporters’ song expressing commitment to their team. It expresses a willingness to follow the team the length and breadth of the country and beyond!

Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” This was not a call to follow him up and down the land. From Nazareth to Capernaum, to Jericho or to Jerusalem.  The Call by Jesus was a call to Jesus.

Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

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