Category Archives: Immanuel

Happy New Year!!! So, Were You At Jesus’ B-Day Party?!?!

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The Story Of Christmas…

As told by the children of St Paul’s Church, Auckland, New Zealand.

(Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly,

but not change it in any way, publish/broadcast it, nor make money out of it.)

Except for Joe. You can connect with his music here: https://www.facebook.com/EzraVine

Check out our prequel: Good News of Great Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttInl1…

Our new kids’ film: Star News Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBaTUw…

And our Christmas doco: O Little Town of Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQDl9…

You can download this film here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ju8ogav90r…

Unless there are too many downloads, then you’ll need to wait a few days.

And you can download the transcript here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rf9q12k92ek…

We all celebrated here!

It was a blast!

And we all agree…

This is the cutest version of the Christmas Story we’ve ever seen!!

Christmas Time! Christmas Bells! Christmas Peace!

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

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Children gather around and listen
You’ll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
Telling everyone
Christmas Time is here

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

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Loved ones close to our hearts
And strangers in lands afar
Together share in the joy
Emmanuel
To tell the world
He has come to dwell
The time is near
With one voice
Let the world rejoice

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Christmas Time is here

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

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Children gather around and listen
You’ll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
It’s Christmas Time is here again

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All the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas Time…

Point to one thing…

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That we should…

Rejoice!!

We’re celebrating the birth of our Savior!!

Matthew 1:22-23

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Amen!

“Tis The Season!!! Oh, I Need A Silent Night! Badly!!

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Luke 2:4-7

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,

which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house and lineage of David.)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.”

I’ve made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me ’til I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a Silent night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With Peace on earth, good will toward men?

“There were shepherds out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said, ‘Fear not, for behold
I bring you Good News of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’

…And His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.” 

(Luke 2:8-11, Isaiah 9:6)

I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

“Silent Night” was written by a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, pastor in the Austrian Alps in a little town of Oberndorf.

It was Christmas Eve, 1815, when he meditated on the wonderful story of the birth of Christ and wrote the sweet, simple verses of this song.

The next day he took them to the village schoolmaster, an organist, Franz Gruber, who prayerfully put them to music that fits them so quietly and so well.

And that night they had the choir sing it for the first time with only guitar accompaniment, since the organ had broken down .

Through the years this sweet song drifted out to the world and now millions of people rejoice as they sing.

Read the entire post at:

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Books,%20Tracts%20&%20Preaching/Printed%20Sermons/Dr%20John%20Rice/silent_night.htm

Call on Jesus…

To find your Silent Night…

This Christmas!!

Amen!

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Need A Revelation? Sing A New Song!

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Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus Your Name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

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2 Corinthians 5:21

“God made Him

who had no sin

to be sin for us,

so that in Him

we might become

the righteousness of God.”

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Revelation 4:8

“Each of the four living creatures

had six wings

and was covered with eyes all around,

even under his wings.

Day and night they never stop saying:

‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,

who was,

and is,

and is to come.'”

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Revelation 22:1-21

Eden Restored

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

as clear as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

down the middle of the great street of the city.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life,

bearing twelve crops of fruit,

yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 

No longer will there be any curse.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city,

and his servants will serve Him.

They will see His face,

and His name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no more night.

They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun,

for the Lord God will give them light.

And they will reign for ever and ever.”

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John and the Angel

“The angel said to me,

‘These words are trustworthy and true.

The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,

sent His angel to show His servants

the things that must soon take place.’

‘Look, I am coming soon!

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.’

I, John,

am the one who heard and saw these things.

And when I had heard and seen them,

I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel

who had been showing them to me.

But he said to me,

‘Don’t do that!

I am a fellow servant with you

and with your fellow prophets

and with all who keep the words of this scroll.

Worship God!’

Then he told me,

‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll,

because the time is near.

Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;

let the vile person continue to be vile;

let the one who does right continue to do right;

and let the holy person continue to be holy.’

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Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

‘Look, I am coming soon!

My reward is with Me,

and I will give to each person

according to what they have done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the First and the Last,

the Beginning and the End. 

Blessed are those who wash their robes,

that they may have the right to the tree of life

and may go through the gates into the city.

Outside are the dogs,

those who practice magic arts,

the sexually immoral,

the murderers,

the idolaters

and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

 I, Jesus,

have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches.

I Am the Root

and the Offspring of David,

and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say,

‘Come!’

And let the one who hears say,

‘Come!’

Let the one who is thirsty come;

and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:

If anyone adds anything to them,

God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy,

God will take away from that person

any share in the tree of life

and in the Holy City,

which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says,

‘Yes, I Am coming soon.

Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus

be with God’s people.

Amen.'”

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Every Starry Night Was His Design!!!

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Give your life to the only One…

Who makes the moon reflect the sun!

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(All photos on this post taken by my sister, Tina!)

John 14:6

Jesus answered,

“I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Chris August explains the story behind the song:

“In ‘Starry Night,’

I sing about how amazed I am

when I look at the stars

or trees blowing in the wind.

People take great pictures

and make great drawings of nature

and I think that’s very creative,

but God was the One who made those things.

There was a void,

and God created everything.

Those are the things I’m thinking about

when I sing the song.

The line in the song,

To the Faith it takes,

to pray and sing,

from the painted sky,

to my plank-filled eye,

He is God of all,

He is everything’

is based on me trying to process my own emotions

and doubts about myself.

I recognize that I’m a sinner.

Sometimes,

singers and pastors can get so caught up

in their popularity and giving messages

that they forget that God gave them everything

including their songs and sermons.

When I have something on my heart,

I pray

and ask God to reveal what He’s trying to tell me.

All of my songs are based on my prayer life.”

To read more about Chris August, go to:

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=411

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Romans 3:23

“…for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God,”

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He’s God of all…
He is everything!

Give your life to the only Son
Who was and is and yet to come!

Let the praises ring…
‘Cause He is everything!!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
I believe!

On that starry night, He changed my life!!

He gave me hope when I had none…
So let the praises ring!

Every angel sings…
That He’s Heavenly!

So let the praises ring!
‘Cause He is everything!

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Psalm 147:4

“He determines the number of the stars   

and calls them each by name.”

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Psalm 148:3

“Praise Him, sun and moon;   

Praise Him, all you shining stars.”

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Matthew 2:9

“After they had heard the king,

they went on their way,

and the star they had seen when it rose

went ahead of them

until it stopped

over the place where the child was.”

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We’re here because of that starry, starry night!!

It was His Design!!

And He’s still guiding wise men, today!

He’s Alive!

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Believe It!!

And Base Your Whole Life Around That Truth!

(We did a human video drama of this song for Fine Arts Competition several years ago…)

So Powerful!!

John 19:35

“The man who saw it

has given testimony,

and his testimony is true.

He knows that he tells the truth,

and he testifies so that you also may believe.”

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The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ feet

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she’d been
She said they might have moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there

We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh, something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His Name
And even if He was Alive
It wouldn’t be the same

But, suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d ever had
Just melted into peace

He’s Alive!  Yes, He’s Alive!
Yes, He’s Alive, and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s Alive!  Yes, He’s Alive!
Oh ,He’s Alive, and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s Alive!  Yes, He’s Alive!
Hallelujah!!  He’s Alive!
He’s Alive, and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s Alive!  He’s Alive!  He’s Alive!
I believe it!!  He’s Alive!
Sweet Jesus!!

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John 20:19

“On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the disciples were together,

with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders,

Jesus came

and stood among them and said,

‘Peace be with you!’

After He said this,

He showed them His hands and side.

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”

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Acts 1:8-11

“But you will receive power

when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth.

After He said this,

He was taken up before their very eyes,

and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going,

when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

‘Men of Galilee,’

they said,

‘why do you stand here looking into the sky?

This same Jesus,

who has been taken from you into Heaven,

will come back

in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven.’”

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Acts 2:33

“Exalted to the right hand of God,

He has received from the Father

the promised Holy Spirit

and has poured out

what you now see and hear.”

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Revelation 1:18

“I am the Living One;

I was dead,

and now look,

I am alive for ever and ever!

And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

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He’s Our Risen Savior!

Allow Jesus To Be Alive In Your Life!!

Amen!

“On My Knees…” Is An Attitude!

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Humble Yourself!!!

How to survive???
Get on your knees…
Before the Lord…
It changes you…
Don’t know how…
But there’s power…
When I’m on my knees!!
In a crowd…
By myself anywhere…
When there’s a need…
To talk with God…

He is Emmanuel!

Close your eyes…
No darkness there…
Only light!

Power!
Blue skies or at midnight…

When I’m On My Knees!!

Trouble  again???
Breaks down my best defense…
God, I’m looking for You!!

I need rest…
Fear’s is filling my head…

God, I’m longing for You!!

I will find You in the place I’m in!
Find You when I’m at my end!
Find You when there’s nothing left of me to offer You…
Except my brokenness!!

Lift me up…
I’m thirsty…
I’m weak…
I’m lost and searching…
I’m on my knees!!

Sorrow shakes my faith…
Heartache still remains…

My God, I’ll trust you…
‘Cause you are faithful!!

My hope is gone…
Fear is strong…
Pain is real…
Hard to heal!

Faith is shaken…
Heart is broken…
Joy is stolen…
Lift me up!
Never leave me searching…

When I’m on My knees!!

PRAY!!!

In a wide variety of ways:

Sitting, bowing, kneeling, and standing.

1 Chronicles 17:16

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD,

and he said:

‘Who am I, LORD God,

and what is my family,

that You have brought me this far?'”

Nehemiah 8:6

“Ezra praised the Lord,

the great God;

and all the people lifted their hands and responded,

‘Amen! Amen!’

Then they bowed down

and worshiped the Lord

with their faces to the ground.'”

Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published,

he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed,

giving thanks to his God,

just as he had done before.”

Mark 11:25

“And when you stand praying,

if you hold anything against anyone,

forgive them,

so that your Father in Heaven

may forgive you your sins.”

Pray with the right heart attitude…

Offer silent prayers wherever you are…

God hears our prayers…

Even though they may go completely unnoticed by those around us!

Amen!

Witness “The Resurrection!”

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“The Resurrection”
A 12 x 40 mural, oil on canvas.
Painted by Ron DiCianni
It’s a depiction of the precise moment
Jesus emerges from the tomb!
This mural was commissioned by the
Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas,  Texas.

The doctrine of the resurrection is one of the most fundamental teachings of the Christian faith.

“…But now is Christ risen from the dead …

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:19, 22  KJV

“Our salvation and justification before God

is based upon our belief

in the resurrection of

Jesus Christ.” 

Hebrews 6:1, 2  KJV

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe

                               in thy heart                                

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.” 

Romans 10:9  KJV

 

Witness…Alive…Faith…Believe…Confess…Be Saved

                       

“If you look for Me at Christmas” by Valerie Kingsbury

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Someone sent this to me through e-mail…

Perhaps you’ve seen it, too!

It’s worth sharing!

I love it!

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One Of Us!

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Kids Church object lesson taken from the Called To Kids website, July 19, 2010 by Marla,

Filed under Holiday Lessons, Jesus

“…She will give birth to a son…

And they will call him Immanuel…

Which means ‘God is with us.’”

Matthew 1:23 (NLT)

There was once a man sitting in his living room by the fireplace on a cold winter’s day.  Outside, snow was falling and had already covered the ground.

The man heard a tapping on the window and turned to see a small bird pecking at the glass with its beak.  It was lost and cold, suffering out in the bitter weather.

Feeling sorry for the bird, the man walked outside so that he could help it inside and save its life.  But when he came close to the bird, it got scared and flew away.

So the man went inside once again, realizing that his plan to help the bird had failed.

A few minutes later as the man rested by the warm fire, he heard once again the sound of tapping on the window.

He turned to see the same bird trying to get into the house and escape the freezing cold weather outside.

This time as the man walked onto the front lawn he saw many other birds also trying to find warmth.  One by one he came close to them, trying to help, but each of them got scared and few away.

Frustrated, the man walked back inside.  “If only I could become a bird,” he thought.  “Then I could speak their language.  They would know that I am only trying to help them and save their lives.”

After Adam and Eve sinned, they began to die.  Since then, we’ve been like those little birds—lost and suffering in our sin.  Every time God has tried to come close and take us into His loving care, we’ve run away from Him.

    Like the man trying to save the birds, God had to find a way to become one of us, to speak our language and help us to understand Him.

So He sent His son Jesus, who is just like Him, to come and live on this earth with us.

Just like that man left the comfort of the fireplace to go out into the cold and try to help the birds, Jesus left His home in Heaven to come to this earth to save us.

Jesus spoke our language and told us of God’s love for us.

He told us that God wants to take us in as His children.

            One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel.

That means “God is with us.”

God came to us as a person, as Jesus, and walked on this earth.

He understands us and He loves us.

Instead of running away from God, we need to run to Him.

Remember, Jesus is God with us.

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Someone e-mailed me this photo…I’m sorry I don’t know who the photographer is…but I love it!

“How precious is your unfailing love, O God!  All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:7 (NLT)

“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust…”

Psalm 91:4