Alabaster Jar With by Gateway Worship With Chords and Lyrics
Alabaster Jar A Self Offering Song
One of the favorite songs of my wife right now is “Alabaster Jar”.
The song is more like a devotional-worship song. It suppose to have a little bit solemn music. But since the song was sung by various Christian hard musicians, it seems like to fit more for the younger generation.
The music is quite noisy, which is very similar to Hillsong. The oldies might not accept this music well, but for sure, most of our young people will love it.
Anyway, Alabaster Jar is still one of the most well known music as of the moment. Hope you’ll enjoy the music.
The Mystery Revealed
“Wherein He has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven and which are on earth—even in Him.”
Ephesians 1:8-10
No longer do we need to wonder “What’s it all about?”—not when we’ve read the final Chapter.
His was a “murder mystery,” if you will. Even an unbeliever in examining the Biblical record of Jesus’ life, arrest, trial and crucifixion will know it was a miscarriage of justice. Nothing He ever said or did violated Moses’ Law or the laws of men. Likewise, His arrest in the wee hours of the morning and the kangaroo court proceedings—conducted long before normal business hours—all cry out “Injustice!!” And, when Pilate himself repeatedly said “I find no fault in Him” (Jn. 19:4, 6), he was speaking the truth.
The question is: “Why did Jesus die?” or “Why didn’t God do something to stop it?”
Truly, the “Questions of the Ages.”
But, thankfully, today’s Manna helps solve this “murder mystery.” And, suddenly, we realize it wasn’t a murder at all—at least from God’s perspective. He knew “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4a) what would happen to His dear Son when He came to this earth; yet, because of His Great Love. . .and “according to the good pleasure of His will” (v.5) . . . He SENT Jesus to the Cross to die as our Passover Lamb so we could have “redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His Grace” (v.7).
Ministry Tool Bar
With the greatest desire to serve you better, I am happy to announce to you that The Disciplers’ “TOOL BAR” is now available, waiting for you to download and install.
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On That Day
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day.”
Isaiah 2:11
He is not one among many; He is the only One.
Perplexity and despair. Suffering and sorrow. Trials and troubles.
These are but a few of the maladies we grapple with during our sojourn on this earth. We look at man’s inhumanity to man and we cry, “Why do they do that?” Or, we look in the mirror, realizing our own sins and shortcomings and we groan, “Why do I do that?” Or, we see the suffering and injustice around us and we ask, “Why does God allow that?”
Such is life here on terra firma.
Some respond with rage and try to right the wrongs—taking the law into their own hands. Others adopt a stoical approach, where they seek to be unfazed by anything that happens, good or bad. Still others live in quiet desperation. . .a “que sere, sere” attitude of passive resignation to their circumstances. . .wishing that things would change. . .but inwardly feeling like nothing ever will.
It’s into this myriad of responses that today’s Manna comes, reminding us that the way things are is not the way they will always be. Hallelujah!!
Biblical Teachings About Food Sacrificed To Idols
A Sermon About Biblical Teachings About Food Sacrificed To Idols
This issue is probably one of the old issues that I continuously encounter in my pastoral ministry. With all kinds of reasonings coming from people who justifies what they do, I believe this sermon is a very good insight about how does the Bible stands for it. And I do hope that this sermon manuscript will enlighten us about our stand in abstaining from Food Sacrificed To Idols.
Title: Biblical Teachings About Food Sacrificed To Idols
Text: 1 Corinthians 8
Introduction
Food, elements that are essential to nourish our bodies. And, the Bible speaks about specific teachings concerning food. Paul also added some more teachings about food when conflicts concerning these arises inside Christian Churches.
Whether or not it is forbidden in our time, it is very important that we know what the Bible says about food sacrificed to idols, why was it forbidden and why do we abstain from partaking it in our time.
What are food sacrificed to idols?
In the New Testament time, many meats sold in the market were first sacrificed to idols just before they were sold in the market. This is due to the influence of the Greco-Roman culture which is generally a pagan culture. However, as we have just discussed, the food sacrificed to idols were considered to be “unclean” for the Jews in accordance to the commands given to them.
In our time, food sacrificed to idols are equivalent to the food prepared during Fiesta in honor of a saint or any person other than the Lord God himself. Having the influence of the Spaniards who first brought Christianity mixed with idolatry here in the Philippines, our culture now have adopted the Fiesta. Fiesta or what we call “Feast”. Filipnos celebrate feast in honor and thanksgiving for the patron saint of a particular place.
The Danger of Falling Away
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance—seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.”
Hebrews 6:4-6
It’s a clear-and-present danger and one which we should always guard against.
“If they shall fall away.”
Ominous words, aren’t they—especially when coupled with the rest of today’s Manna? For centuries theologians have debated the meaning of Heb. 6:1-8 and whether or not it’s talking about apostasy (a falling away from the faith or being saved and then lost again).
For sure, Baptists believe in “Once saved, always saved” and the “Security of the Believer.” Thus, they view this passage as referring to those who were never saved to begin with. Other groups, citing “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), point to this passage as evidence of one’s ability to know the Lord and then be “rejected, cursed and headed for burning” (v.8).
So, the question is, “Who’s right?”
Again, this has been one of the most controversial and hotly-debated passages in the Bible down through the years since its writing. However, when we view the context in which it was written—to Jewish-Christians being persecuted and tempted to recant their faith for the sake of survival—it sheds a whole new light on the intent and meaning of the passage.
When Evil Reigns
“And Micah said unto him, ‘Dwell with me and be unto me a father and a priest and I will give you 10 shekels of silver by the year and a suit of apparel and your victuals.’ So, the Levite went in. And the Levite was content to dwell with the man—and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.”
Judges 17:10-11
Like Esau exchanging his birthright for a bowl of pottage (Gen. 25:30-34), so is it easy to compromise our commitments when we reject God’s rightful place in our lives and “do that which is right in our own eyes” (Judg. 17:6).
When Jesus said we are to be “salt and light in this world” (Mt. 5:13-16), was this just a nice little saying—an option, if you will—or was it an order from our Commander-and-Chief? Did Jesus die on the Cross so we could be happy and go to Heaven when we die—or did His dying show how much God hates sin and what it took for us to be forgiven?
Most likely, today’s Manna is one which most of us have never read before. And, if we did happen to read it while reading the Bible through in a year, it very likely slipped right by without raising any red flags. That’s why it’s important for us to “study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (II Tim. 2:15); otherwise, how shall we be fully equipped to serve Him by Whose Name we’re called?
King James Version Bible Against New International Version Bible
KJV Bible versus NIV Bible, Which One is The Best?
I was deeply intrigued upon reading this article concerning the issues against New International Version. For so long, I have found NIV to be a Bible that is very much easy to understand especially that English is not my first language. I have been using New International Version for so long that I have made so many notes within my Bible.
However, just yesterday, a friend of mine forwarded this very intriguing article that I found to be a MUST to read especially if you are a pastor, a Bible interpreter, or a worker. I am not so skeptic against Bible translations. But I think this article is worth my time to read. And I found it very helpful to take note of the things that I need to look at a Bible Interpreter.
By far, as I have remember in my training which includes Bible history, background and some glimpse (not detailed) about these codexes like Textus Receptus, Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, its just, its the only available manuscripts out the there that can be a reference for the newer translations.
Now, to set up the reliability issue, let’s put it in this way, Dr. William Grady is a scholar who have his personal opinion about the validity and reliability of Textus Receptus. But how about the opinion of other Bible scholars who would say Vaticanus and Sinaiticus are more reliable? Which scholars are more reliable then if they have the same degree?
By the way, Dr. William Grady is the author of Final Authority: A Christian’s Guide to the King James Bible to which I really wish I could get my hand on this very intriguing book.
Furthermore, I am not so sold out to say that KJV is the “ONLY” true and authoritative translation of the Scripture for the main reason of its historical background. I believe I have already said this several times in preaching. King James is homosexual. To avoid having conflicts with Puritants (which we know one of the major group reformers) he granted them the authority to translate this new English version that came to be known as KJV. This simply means that it was born out of King James’ personal interest. But in fairness, I would certainly admit that King James Version of the Bible is really the finest by far.
Watchman, What of the Night?
“. . .Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”
Isaiah 21:11b
If we fail in our responsibility, what will happen to those who are not ready?
Watchmen.
Of all the soldiers, they’re the most important—for they’re the ones who watch for the first sign of danger and sound the alarm to warn their comrades. Most of the time, theirs is a lonely job—for seldom do they have another soldier to keep them company as they maintain their vigil.
Sometimes they’re posted on the walls to scour the surrounding countryside for any sign of advancing troops. Other times they’re in a forward listening post. . .watching through the night . . .regardless of the weather. . .for any indication of the enemy’s attempt to sneak in as a “thief in the night.”
Thus, it goes without saying, theirs is an extremely important position.
The question is, “Are they doing their job?”
And, that’s the essence of today’s Manna—for the Lord (and those around us) are asking, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”