Explaining Christmas (from John Piper)

From the devotional app, Solid Joys, a great explanation of Jesus, God’s gift of grace to the world:

Why Jesus Came

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

This, I think, is my favorite Advent text because I don’t know any other that expresses so clearly the connection between the beginning and the end of Jesus’s earthly life — between the incarnation and crucifixion. These two verses make clear why Jesus came; namely, to die. They would be great to use with an unbelieving friend or family member to walk them step-by-step through your Christian view of Christmas. It might go something like this, a phrase at a time:

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood . . . ”

The term “children” is taken from the previous verse and refers to the spiritual offspring of Christ, the Messiah (see Isaiah 8:18; 53:10). These are also the “children of God” (John 1:12). In other words, in sending Christ, God has the salvation of his “children” especially in view. 

It is true that “God so loved the world, that he gave [Jesus]” (John 3:16). But it is also true that God was especially gathering “the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52). God’s design was to offer Christ to the world, and to effect the salvation of his “children” (see 1 Timothy 4:10). You may experience adoption by receiving Christ (John 1:12).

“ . . . he himself likewise partook of the same things [flesh and blood] . . . ”

This means that Christ existed before the incarnation. He was spirit. He was the eternal Word. He was with God and was God (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9). But he took on flesh and blood, and clothed his deity with humanity. He became fully man and remained fully God. It is a great mystery in many ways. But it is at the heart of our faith — and what the Bible teaches.

“ . . . that through death . . . ”

The reason he became man was to die. As God pure and simple, he could not die for sinners. But as man he could. His aim was to die. Therefore he had to be born human. He was born to die. Good Friday is the purpose of Christmas. This is what most people today need to hear about the meaning of Christmas.

“ . . . he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil . . . ”

In dying, Christ de-fanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin. This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before God. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33) — on what grounds does he justify? Through the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9).

Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If the death of Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon of the devil — the one mortal weapon that he has — is taken out of his hand. He cannot make a case for our death penalty, because the Judge has acquitted us by the death of his Son!

“ . . . and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

So, we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimatesafety to have an immediateeffect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the Now.

If we do not need to fear our last and greatest enemy, death, then we do not need to fear anything. We can be free. Free for joy. Free for others.

What a great Christmas present from God to us! And from us to the world!

From “Born to Die for Freedom”


Hush, hush

A powerful song on a new (to me) album from Nichole Nordeman, Every Mile Mattered. Just adding via my phone, without the trimmings. Enjoy

https://open.spotify.com/track/4pAORtSFhzppR11YzxD57S

What are we waiting for? (For King and Country)

I’m enjoying the new album from For King and Country! This Youtube clip is from a few days ago. 40 minutes of time well spent. The messages of their songs are quite beautiful!

From the clip details:

We’re bringing our brand new album straight to your living room! Join us for ‘WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?’ THE WORLDWIDE SPECIAL: a global streaming event from the Mojave desert🏜🎶 in partnership with Convoy of Hope benefiting Ukrainian refugees.

Donate to support Ukrainian refugees by visiting: convoy.org/forUKRAINE or text to give “forUKRAINE” to 68828 Stream/download WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?: https://forkingandcountry.lnk.to/what…

https://www.pinterest.com.au/jeyanayagam/

You are faithful and You bring the dawn

I enjoyed this song “Dawn” by Rebecca St James and brother, Luke Smallbone (from For King & Country). The line “Redeem this winter for your good” sticks with me – an assurance that, yes, God’s paths and seasons are not usually the ones we would choose. . . BUT he holds them and uses them for his purposes in his world, through us. Blessings!

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Lord, I’m so tired in this fight
Tired of waking up with no end in sight
I feel I’ve got so little left
I know that I’ve come to the end of myself
Help me hold on
Cling to You ’til I see the sun

Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands

Water the garden of my life
With every sorrow, every tear that I’ve cried
Redeem this winter for Your good
Lord, show Your power as only You could

Help me hold on
I’ll cling to You ’til I see the sun, oh-oh

Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands

Even in the darkness, even when it’s hardest
You are faithful and You bring the dawn
On every mountain, I’ll sing it even louder
You are faithful and You bring the dawn

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Seth David Mosley / Tedd Andrew Tjornhom / Rebecca St. James / Luke James Smallbone / Rebecca St James. Dawn lyrics © Kilns Music, Centricsongs, Fleauxmotion Music, These Tunes Go To 11, Curb Wordspring Music, Heritage Worship Music Publishing, All About Him Music

Gray Havens: Tread the Dawn

Gray Havens: Tread the Dawn

Greetings all, just quickly want to share an album I’m now playing on repeat. It is based on CS Lewis’ writings, with overtones of Narnia! There is so much to explore. Enjoy!

https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Grey_Havens

20 Quotes from John Piper on the Coronavirus

Last year John Piper penned a great little book at the start of the pandemic, and 12 months later his words still ring true:

“The coronavirus is God’s thunderclap call for all of us to repent and realign our lives with the infinite worth of Christ.” (77)

“Disasters are a gracious summons from God to repent and be saved while there is still time. . . . I think that’s God’s message for the world in this coronavirus outbreak. He is calling the world to repentance while there’s still time.” (79–80)

“What God is doing in the coronavirus is showing us—graphically, painfully—that nothing in this world gives the security and satisfaction that we find in the infinite greatness and worth of Jesus. This global pandemic takes away our freedom of movement, our business activity, and our face-to-face relations. It takes away our security and our comfort. And, in the end, it may take away our lives. The reason God exposes us to such losses is to rouse us to rely on Christ. Or to put it another way, the reason he makes calamity the occasion for offering Christ to the world is that the supreme, all-satisfying greatness of Christ shines more brightly when Christ sustains joy in suffering.” (82)

The quotations above are courtesy of a Gospel coalition post (link below). But don’t forget you can access Piper’s books as PDFs anytime. Follow the link https://www.desiringgod.org/books/coronavirus-and-christ. It is worth reading for yourself. Blessings!

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/20-quotes-coronavirus/

The One and Only God (new song!)

“Like a warrior in battle he will lead his people home . . . “

Here is a new song from Navigate Worship – a song written and performed by a collaboration of musicians at my church! Lyrics below the Spotify link. Had a great time adding some harmonies along the way. Enjoy!
(Ps. Lyric video coming soon – will post once available).

The One and Only God

Lord we lift our hearts to you

Lord we recommit our hearts and minds anew

Lord teach us of your ways and let us look upon your face

And fill us with your words

The God who sits above it all

The God whose kingdom shall remain and never fall

The God whose name is worthier than any other name

The God we call our own

Servant King, light of all the earth

Shout his praises and endless worth

Like a warrior in battle he will lead his people home

The one and only God 

Oh our one and only God 

Lord you lead us through the flames

And you promise we will not be set ablaze

Through waters and through rivers we will not be swept away

For by our side you’ll stay

The God whose word defines all things

The God whose mightier than any earthly king

Who stretches out the heavens giving breath to everything

We kneel before you Lord

Chorus


Almighty, who is there like him

Holy, no other rock, the one and only God 

Oh our one and only God

Lift our voices, praise his precious name

Holy, and all fall short of the one and only God 

Oh our one and only God

(chorus x2)

Performed by Navigate Worship, Written by Ashleigh Willett, Ross Tenni; Source: 2241884 Records DK

Messiah – the long-awaited precious promise

Ready for your new favourite Christmas song? Here it is.

From the album, This Christmas, by Francesca Battistelli (2020)

Lyrics:

Long awaited precious promise
Son of God and son of man
Heaven’s glory in a manger
Has come to us in Bethlehem

Messiah
Messiah
A baby born to save us all
Messiah
Messiah
On our knees we fall

All we longed for, all we needed
Shining in this child’s eyes
Hope forever, death defeated
Because of this one holy night

O come let us adore him
O come let us adore…

Fear cannot survive when we praise You!

Here is a powerful song from Matt Redman’s new live album released at the start of 2020, “Let There Be Wonder”. Lyrics are in the YouTube link. Enjoy! I think this is the standout song from the album. Let me know if there are others you have on repeat!

Blessings!

Almost Home – Mercy Me

Almost Home – Mercy Me

1Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

This song from Mercy Me is a great encouragement in the midst of the weariness and challenges which 2020 has brought us. The film clip is also quite a unique and creative one! I trust you find these words from the bridge an especially beautiful glimpse of the joy of heaven to come.

I know that the cross has brought heaven to us
But make no mistake there’s still more to come
When our flesh and our bone are no longer between
Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be
When all that’s been lost has been made whole again
When these tears and this pain no longer exist. . .

Are you disappointed
Are you desperate for help
You know what it’s like to be tired
And only a shell of yourself

Well you start to believe
You don’t have what it takes
‘Cause it’s all you can do
Just to move much less finish the race
But don’t forget what lies ahead

Almost home
Brother it won’t be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home

Well this road will be hard
But we win in the end
Simply because of Jesus in us
It’s not if but when
So take joy in the journey
Even when it feels long
Oh find strength in each step
Knowing heaven is cheering you on

We are almost home
Brother it won’t be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home
Almost home
Almost home

I know that the cross has brought heaven to us
But make no mistake there’s still more to come
When our flesh and our bone are no longer between
Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be
When all that’s been lost has been made whole again
When these tears and this pain no longer exist
No more walking we’re running as fast as we can
Consider this our second wind

Almost home
Brother it won’t be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home
Almost home
Almost home
We are almost home
Almost home
Almost home
We are almost home

Songwriters: Benjamin Glover / Nathan Cochran / Bart Millard / Barry Graul / Mike Scheuchzer / Robby ShafferAlmost Home lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group