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27 August 2011
The Perfect Man - Extracted from Timothy, Chapter 3: 1-7
Here is a saying that you can rely on: To want to be a presiding elder is to want to do a noble work.
That is why the president must have a impeccable character.
He must not have been married more than once, and must be temperate, discreet and courteous, hospitable and a good teacher; not a heavy drinker, nor hot-tempered, but kind and peaceable.
He must not be a lover of money.
He must be a man who manages his own family well and brings his children up to obey him and be well-behaved: how can any man who does not understand how to manage his own family have responsibility for the Church of God?
He should not be a new convert, in case pride might turn his head and then he might be condemned as the devil was condemned.
It is also necessary that people outside the Church should speak well of him, so that he never gets a bad reputation and falls into the devil’s trap.
The Perfect Wife - Extracted from Proverbs, Chapter 31: 10-31
A perfect wife– who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Her husband’s heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
She is busy with wool and with flax, she does her work with eager hands.
She is like a merchant vessel bringing her food from far away.
She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
She puts her back into work and shows how strong her arms can be.
She finds her labour well worth while; her lamp does not go out at night.
She sets her hands to the distaffs, her fingers grasp the spindle.
She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.
She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
She weaves linen sheets and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.
She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at days to come.
When she opens her mouth, she does it so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.
Her sons stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:
‘Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!’
Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman that is wise (the woman who fears the Lord) is the one to praise.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
Jesus Christ the Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace -Extracted from Isaiah, Chapter 9: 1-6
The prophesy of the Prophet Isaiah around 736 B.C.
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing their spoils.
For the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian.
For all the foot gear of battle, every cloak rolled in blood, is burnt and consumed by fire.
For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David and for his royal power, which he establishes and make secure in justice and integrity.
From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Here’s the fulfillment of the promise of God:
You are to conceive and bear a son - Extracted from Luke, Chapter 1: 26-38
26 In the sixth month (after the conception of Elizabeth) the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.'
29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean,
30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour.
31 Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David;
33 he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.'
34 Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?'
35 The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.
36 And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month,
37 for nothing is impossible to God.'
38 Mary said, 'I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.' And the angel left her.
Extracted from Luke Chapter 1:
(The Visitation)
39 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah.
40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?
44 Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.
45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.' |
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(The Magnificat)
46 And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord,
47 my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour;
48 He has looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
49 The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name!
50 His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.
51 He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud hearted.
52 He cast the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
53 He fills the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty.
54 He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy,
55 the mercy promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.
To God the glorious, the merciful - Extracted from Psalm 113
Alleluia!
You servants of Yahweh, praise, praise the name of Yahweh!
Blessed be the name of Yahweh, henceforth and for ever!
From the east to west, praised be the name of Yahweh!
High over all nations, Yahweh!
His glory transcends the heavens!
Who of like Yahweh our God? - enthroned so high, he needs to stoop to see the sky and earth!
He raises the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the dunghill to give them a place with princes, with the princes of his people.
He enthrones the barren women in her house by making her the happy mother of sons.
27 August 2011
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