From Every Tribe And Language And People And Nation - Because It's Harder
Why did Jesus ransom people from every tribe and language and people and nation like it says in Revelation 5:9?
Rev 5:9 "And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,”"
Well, one reason given in Isaiah is that it was too easy to only "ransom" or "bring back" those who would be saved of the Jewish tribes.
Isa 49:6 "he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”"
Didn't think it was that clearly stated did you? The reason we're still around, still on mission, and why many of us reading this know Jesus ourselves, is that it was TOO EASY for Him to merely ransom people from the twelve tribes of Israel. No, Glory is going after people of all the world.
The nature of God's glory:
Isa 48:11 "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,
for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another."
He declares the end from the beginning,
Rev. 5:10 “and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Glory to God.
Namibia - More News and Letters
From
the Namibian, www.namibian.com.naPlanned truckport set to strangle Okahandja"They point out that two tourist attractions, Okakango Lodge and the Ombo Ostrich Farm, both went bankrupt after the new north-south bypass was completed a year ago, while through-town traffic has decreased substantially. The Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, Jan Blaauw, pointed out that, the legalities of the planned sale aside, the Highway Fuelling City would effectively strangle Okahandja economically."
Taking Charge Of Own Affairs"What might also be frustrating to the residents of Okahandja is the fact that the town councillors don't seem prepared to give them straightforward, accurate and credible answers regarding their alleged irregular activities."
Not The Same Anymore"Where are we going? Where will be our destiny? I am not part of the concerned group; I am not part of the past or present [Okahandja] Town Council."
This last article mentions the shibeens (or shebeens) which are drinking places prevalent in Okahandja. The link between failing school and drinking is very common without Christ in the picture.
Don't Allow It"How many young people hang around in shebeens because they failed their grade 10 exams? President Pohamba, we appeal to you to stop this now and show us that you are sincere when you say "no tolerance for corruption"."
Dependent Upon Jesus To Be A Good Husband
There are many commands in the Bible and they all relate back to love. "
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Rom. 13:10) "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”" (Gal. 5:14)
Then Jesus says, "
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends," (John 15:13) and Jesus did that Himself, taking up the cross for His friends-to-be. Jesus did not say to lay our lives down, as a command, but He did say to love others as He has loved us, and that we are His friends if we do what He commands. (John 15:12, 14)
But the only specific person we're individually called to lay our lives down for are our wives, in loving them. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her[.]" (Eph. 5:25) Jesus did this too, for His bride-to-be.
So the greatest act of love is to lay down my life. My greatest friend is my wife. And the way I lay my life down is by taking up my cross daily, to die daily because of Christ's one great death and resurrection.
One of the things I do is everyday learn everything from Him. Ephesians 5 goes on to say a good husband should lay his life down for his wife like Christ in order to, "sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
so that he might present the church [or his wife] to himself [but always Jesus] in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:26-27) and I read in Jude, verse 24, that Jesus is the one "who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy," and we know He is the only one.
To be dependent upon Jesus for everything is our only hope, and it's made to be done all to the glory of God. Read 1st Peter 4:11 which says "[let] whoever serves, as one who serves by the
strength that
God supplies—in order that in everything
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever." And Christ is exalted.
Amen.
What's My Most Important Thing In Life Right Now? Husbandry
My most important thing in life right now is taking care of my wife.
Making sure she's happy
Making sure she is fulfilling and living according to her purpose(s)
Making sure her passion is growing and being fulfilled for the things she really loves
Satisfying her desires in Godly ways
Giving up myself for her continuing sanctification
Counseling her daily in regard to her gracious justification, assurance, and status in Christ
Teaching her new things about the triune God that that the Holy Spirit can use to change her heart and life
Washing her with the Word
Being there for her all the time in one way or another
Initiating with her and checking in often
Praying to our Father for her and praying for ways to be a better husband and brother