Peanut Gallery: The Coptic Church is celebrating its 1st Christmas under the leadership of its new Pope – Tawadros II. Coptic Christmas is celebrated with midnight mass on January 6… Christmas Day falling on January 7 by the Julian calender.
The celebrations are marred by bombing threats to churches, street protests and clashes with Egyptian security forces.
In this environment, Pope Tawadros II was interviewed by Al Jazeera TV. Please pray for Egypt and its minority Coptic people.
Reading: Luke 4:22-24, 28-30 NLT
Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown….”
When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – May each new day with you be filled with wonder and expectation. Drive away any spirit of familiarity that would lead to complacency and rob me of joy. And fill me with your Spirit, for your name’s sake. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 60:1-3 NLT
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”
“All nations will come to your light….”
Spritual Song: “We are marching in the light of God” – several versions, different nations – check them all out, they will warm your heart… and make you smile.
From Canada –
From Croatia –
From India –
From Bosnia/ Herzegovina –
From South Africa –
Reading: Luke 4.16-21 NLT
When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them.
“The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Help me to see the world as You see it… the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed. And help me to be a bearer of Your Good News. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “Lord You Have My Heart” – Delirious? (YouTube)
Peanut Gallery: What makes a Christian man? It’s an odd question to be asking in the 2013th year of Christendom. You’d think we’d have it worked out by now.
On the other hand, every generation has to learn essential Christian truths themselves. And in a post-Christian world, the teaching of basic, essential Judeo-Christian truths is all the more important… since there’s little chance of picking anything up by societal osmosis.
Roderick Evans offers some practical advice for men wanting to live Christian lives. It’s not a theological treatise and it’s not the last word on the subject, but it contains good practical guidance. It’s a good starting point.
I’d welcome any additional resources that you think might be useful. God bless.
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Defining the Christian Male – Seven Traits of the Christian Man
January 7th 2011
by Poet, roderickevans.net
Every Christian male should ask himself this question: What makes me a man? More importantly, what makes me a godly man? If a man does not know who he is, he will not be all he can be in Christ Jesus. The Christian male has to understand that he can only define himself based upon biblical standards.
This is because culture and Christianity have varying viewpoints about what makes one a “man.” The Christian male, then, has to learn to define his manhood in terms of his relationship with Christ (righteousness and character), rather than by the culture (which focuses mostly on external traits -strength, money, stature, family, etc). Before going further the Christian male should understand:
*A man’s definition is not based upon external characteristics, but internal traits.*
*The Definition of a man is found in the image of God.*
*Culture cannot define a man.*
With this understanding, we want to offer seven primary qualities or traits of the Christian man.
1. He reflects Christ’s image. As Adam was made in God’s image, the Christian man has to be made in Christ’s image. He will reflect the characteristics of Christ. (Romans 8:29)
2. He is a man full of wisdom and integrity. The Christian man will not be a fool. He will not lack spiritual wisdom and insight. He will be full of faith. (Acts 6:3a)
3. His is an example of the believers in this world. The Christian man will set an example that others can follow. He will represent the Christian faith well to the world. (I Timothy 4:12b)
4. He leads his home in the worship of God. One of the qualifications for a bishop was to have his home in order. This same quality will be in the true Christian man. (I Timothy 3:4)
5. He follows the example that Christ set. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to follow his example as he followed Christ. This will be the same desire of the Christian man. He will only want others to emulate him as he follows Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)
6. He is man of prayer. In the Old Testament, men offered the most powerful prayers. Contrary to popular belief, women are not more effective in prayer than men. Prayer is not woman’s work. Men have a responsibility to weep and mourn and intercede for others also. (Ephesians 6:18)
7. He is a student of the Word of God. The Christian man will have a desire to know God’s word. He will not shun corporate and personal study of the Word. He will also understand the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. (II Timothy 2:15)
Well, there you have it! Until next time, stand in the faith. Faithful is Christ who will be with us in the life and in the one that is to come. I have addressed this topic in detail in my book “What is Man? – Defining the Christian Male” which can found at Amazon.com.
