dW 12.22.10

dW

 

Activity

Click on this link.  This page is a moving graphic display that shows the relative size of all objects in the universe, from the smallest to the largest.  When the page loads, slide the slider at the bottom using the mouse or the arrow keys to change the scale.  This is absolutely awesome.

 

Scriptures

Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of?  Deut. 4:32

 

…what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Ps. 8:4

 

Thought

How completely humbling is it that our God, the God of the universe, who created such unfathomable things, cares for me as one single individual person!

 

Submitted by P.C.

 

dW 12.21.10

dW

 

scripture

 

Luke 2:8-12

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 

En Espanol, Lucas 2:8-12 

 

quote

 

“How can you believe in the virgin birth?” asked the professor.  The student replied, “I believe the Bible and it begins with ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’.  If God did that, then don’t you think He is capable of making a virgin conceive a child?”

Matthew Spradlin

dW 12.20.10

dW

 

scripture

 

Matthew 2:11

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

 

En Espanol, Mateo 2:11

 

thoughts

 

The Magi presented Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were very prophetic for they spoke of our Lord's offices of King, Priest, and Savior.

Gold: This carries obvious significance. It's precious and worthy across all cultures and times. It's a gift fit for royalty. It says to the Christ child, “You will be a King”.

Frankincense: The name for this resin likely comes from incense of Franks since it was reintroduced to Europe by Frankish Crusaders. Although it is better known as “frankincense" to westerners the resin is also known as olibanum, which is derived from the Arabic al-lub ("the milk") a reference to the milky sap tapped from the Boswellia tree. Frankincense has been touted for its medicinal and soothing properties. Herbalists say it is calming, restorative, gently clarifying, and meditative. Frankincense oil is thought to have stimulating, toning, and warming properties. The ancient world used it for treating depression. We recognize the word incense in its name. Ancient people burned frankincense, believing it to carry their prayers to heaven. Its use as incense illustrates His role as our Priest.

Myrrh: This is perhaps the most mysterious of the gifts. It is a resin produced by a small, tough, scraggly tree that grows in semi-desert regions of North Africa and the Red Sea. Myrrh is an Arabic word for bitter, and it is considered a wound healer because of its strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Calling it “mo yao”, the Chinese used it for centuries to treat wounds, bruises and bleeding and to relieve painful swelling.  The Egyptians made it famous in Biblical times, having acquired myrrh about the fifteenth century B.C. from Africa where cammiphora trees were abundant. It was used in incense, perfumes and holy ointments and also medicinally as recorded in the Ebers Papyrus. But its most notable use to them was that of an embalming material, used in Egyptian mummies. As an embalming ointment it signified that He was born to die for the world. In fact, Myrrh was one of the burial spices of Jesus (John 19:39).

 

Ref: http://www.magi-gifts.com/significance.html