Words are powerful. Words have the power of life and death. Never underestimate the power of your words. With one small word, you can change a person’s life for better or for worse. The Bible says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit or consequences of it - either for death or life. Proverbs 18:21
Words have authority and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy over a person’s life. The word power used in the context of Proverbs 18:21 is a Hebrew word ‘yad’ with a word picture meaning of a physical hand, to deliver something into someone’s hands. It is to delegate authority by what you speak and say.
Stop delegating authority through cutting poisonous words from the pit of hell - words of death, bitterness and condemnation. With our negative words, we bind people. With our words of condemnation, we put people into emotional and psychological prisons, scarring them for life. With our words of death, we kill people’s spirit.
Start today and decide right now to speak life giving words at all times. Positive life giving words take a life of its own in the soul of a person. The revelational word of God has got creative power to breathe life, to build and to edify. Speak life giving words of the Holy Spirit. Speak life giving words into your situation and into the lives of others. Speak hope. Speak confidence. Speak encouragement. Speak inspiration. Speak with boldness. Speak the truth.
Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation. Our words and actions are powerful beyond our comprehension. Words can kill, words can give life. They're either poison or fruit—you choose.
Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny
Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not to put them down or cut them out. Let your conversation be always full of grace seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. We are called to inherit a blessing. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
I am responsible for what I say. You are responsible for what you say. God holds us responsible for what we say. There will be a time of reckoning when every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you and me unless there is forgiveness, true repentance and healing reconciliation.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
South Asian International Fellowship
SAIF
South Asian International Fellowship
A South Asian Church in Singapore pioneered by Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu. If you are travelling or transiting in Singapore, we warmly welcome you to join us for Sunday Services every Sunday from 5.00 – 7.00 pm at the Chapel for All Peoples of Saint Andrew's Cathedral.
………………………………………
History of SAIF
SAIF Church started with a vision to reach out to the South Asian community in Singapore. With much prayer and seeking the face of God, three families started the church in the home of Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu in September 2007. Three weeks later they moved to the Bible House at 7, Armenian Street for a more central meeting place.
The church started humbly with nothing but a zeal for mission and evangelism. Our voices and claps of our hands were the only rhythm that brought a sweet acceptable sacrifice of praise to God. A pianist helped us for about 2 months on the out-of-tuned piano at the Bible House. After four months till the present day, we only have a guitarist. But one thing we can confidently declare, the worship services have been nothing short of anointed with tears, kneeling, raised hands, healing and restoration.
Two months into our Sunday Services, Pastor Farzand Tanzeem and Dr. Noah Pashapa joined the church as leaders. SAIF church was brought to a new level with the combined leadership skills and spiritual giftedness of each individual.
Today we worship at the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral to the glory of God. God has been faithful, covenant- keeping and gracious to us. We acknowledge the mighty hand of God and His extreme favor on us at SAIF.
_______________________________
The Culture at SAIF is:
Worship-Centered. Our Sunday worship services and mid-week cell groups will seek God in worship. As participants are caught in the presence of God, burdens are lifted and chains are broken.
Holy Spirit- Powered. We will seek that our walk, worship and witness individually and corporately be inspired and powered by the Holy Spirit at all times.
Christ-Centered. We will seek that in all we do or say the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified and His kingdom extended.
Word-Based. Our commitment is to faithfully expose the word of God in disciplined study and sound preaching and teaching. God reveals Himself and speaks to us through His word.
Relationships-Driven. Our goal in ministry is to foster relationships that are authentic. Such relationships happen in small groups where people learn to care for each other with love and grace.
Evangelism-Discipleship Oriented. Our desire is to reach out to the unreached or un-churched people with the gospel of Jesus. This is in accordance with our mission statement to reach the nations and make disciples for Jesus Christ.
Growth Oriented. Our aim is to develop a culture whereby we set milestones of where we have come from and this gives us the focus to where we are going. This in itself helps us to preserve and appreciate who we are.
Socially-Involved. We will always seek to reach out to the needy with the care and compassion of Jesus Christ according to our ability.
……………………………………………………………………………..
SAIF Statement of Faith
South Asian International Fellowship is committed to the foundational doctrines taken from Ephesians 4:1-6 and Hebrews 6:1-2.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God; that the sixty-six books, as originally written, comprising the Old and the New Testaments are entirely free from error; that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice and the true basis for Christian fellowship.
GOD
We believe in one God, Creator of all, holy, sovereign, eternal, existing in three equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
CHRIST
We believe in the absolute and essential deity of Jesus Christ, in His eternal existence with the Father in preincarnate glory, in His virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, triumphant ascension, mediatorial ministry and personal return.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the absolute and essential deity and personality of the Holy Spirit Who convinces of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; Who regenerates, sanctifies, illuminates and comforts those who believe in Jesus Christ.
SATAN
We believe that Satan exists as an evil personality, the originator of sin, the archenemy of God and man.
MAN
We believe that both man and woman were divinely created in the image of God; that both sinned, becoming guilty before God and thereby incurring physical and spiritual death on all mankind.
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is by the grace of our sovereign God; that by the appointment of the Father, Christ voluntarily suffered a vicarious, expiatory and propitiatory death; that justification is by faith alone in the shed blood of Christ on the cross, the all-sufficient sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and that those whom God has effectively redeemed shall be divinely preserved and finally perfected in the image of God.
FUTURE THINGS
We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; in the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and in the judgment and conscious, eternal punishment of the wicked.
___________________________________________________________________
PASTORAL TEAM
Lead Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu is a Punjabi Christian. He is the Pastor of South Asian International Fellowship in Singapore, the founder of South Asian Connection and the International Coordinator for the South Asian Global Convention SAGC 2004 Vancouver, Canada, SAGC 2007 London, UK and SAGC 2009 Singapore- an International gathering for South Asian Christian Youth and Young Adults for Mission Mobilization. He has served as the Youth Pastor/ Leader of Khush Khabri Fellowship in Singapore [1996-2000, 2005-2007] and Youth Pastor at the International Punjabi Masihi Church in Vancouver, Canada [2000-2005].
Pritam Singh was a former Sikh Christian now, a dreamer, a visionary leader and a risk-taker in God's Kingdom. He is passionate about young people and mentoring the Next Generation of South Asian leaders. He is also interested in networking among churches and engaging the cultures.
He holds a Master Degree, a Bachelor of Science and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education degree. He was a Biology and Chemistry teacher in a government school and Vice Principal at a private school in Singapore. He is married to Dr. Balbir Kaur Chaal, a UK born Punjabi Christian and Cambridge educated molecular biologist and they have a cute baby daughter, Sujaan Kaur Sandhu.
Training Consultant – Farzand Tanzeem
Former MISSIONARY of ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL and sent to Pakistan with OPERATION MOBILZATION for 10 yr ('83-'92), where he was involved in Discipleship, Training, Evangelism and Church-planting. During this time, he laid the foundations for a church-planting movement among the majority community in the city of Lahore by starting cell groups, following-up more than 500 correspondence school Students in a city of 5 million people (at that time).Speaks, reads and writes Urdu fluently, now his de facto 2nd language. Involved in getting the Church-planting Institute (CPI) Manual from International Christian Mission (ICM) translated into Urdu.
Was MISSIONS PASTOR with CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR for 4 years ('94-'98) during which time he was responsible for the training of missions interns, mobilizing more than 600 church members ('96) into short-term missions trips and nurturing a missions interest group, as well as, leading a cell group to grow into 5 cells.
Currently Strategy Coordinator (SC) for Urdu-speaking unreached and Trainer of SCs. To date he has already trained 12 Bishops and Priests from various Dioceses and Parishes in Nigeria in partnership with Anglican Frontier Mission (AFM) plus more than 60 others from around the world to reach the unreached.
Missionary Pastor – Dr. Noah Pashapa
PhD.,M.A.,BTh.,Dip. Theo.
Bishop: Life and Liberty Ministries International (Zimbabwe)
Associate Missionary: Asia Pacific Mission
Associate Professor: Bethany International University
Married to Irene Pashapa wife of 26 years with two children, a 20year old son and a 25 year old daughter. A pastor, teacher, mentor, counselor and university lecturer for over 25 years in Zimbabwe, England, South Africa, U.S.A., Northern Ireland, Singapore and Japan. Bishop of Life and Liberty Ministries International (Zimbabwe) for four years (to date) and missionary to the nations for three years.
___________________________________________________________
MINISTRIES
Worship Ministry
Intercessory Ministry
Youth Ministry
Altar Ministry
______________________________________________
CELL GROUPS
SAIF Cell Group meets at three locations.
Chua Chu Kang Cell Group [West Part of Singapore]
Siglap Cell Group [East Part of Singapore]
Shunfu/Bishan Cell Group [North Part of Singapore]
The current cell group material we are using is called Fundamental Truths of Christianity - Bible School in a Briefcase produced by International Christian Missions.
_____________________________
FAQ
The Vision of SAIF is To Establish an International New Testament Type Ministry Through Which South Asians Will Be Empowered To Reach And Disciple The Nations for Christ.
What is a New Testament Type Ministry?
A New Testament type ministry is Kingdom of God focused with Kingdom participation. Every member in this spiritually-gifted church is a minister where the governance is functional team leadership.
Why International?
We desire to be open and inclusive of other nations with a local and global outlook. Isaiah 42:6 reveals the Father heart of God to the nations. We invite everyone . . . and especially those who want to be involved in the work among South Asians locally in Singapore and globally.
Who are South Asians?
South Asians are people who originate from the countries of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives Island and Bhutan but are living elsewhere now. This is inclusive of Tamils, Punjabis, Sindhis, Keralites, Nepalese, Telegus, Jains, Bangladeshis. Pakistanis, Hindustanis, Sri Lankans, Biharis, Bengalis, Maharastrans, Gujeratis, etc. . . .
Why this urgency of the hour?
People who do not know Jesus matter to God. God made all these people after His own image and cares for them like how God cares for you and me. We have a divine responsibility to make Jesus known to them.
What is the theme for South Asian International Fellowship in 2008
“To Know God And To Make Him Known”
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:1
_____________________________________________________
LINKS
Saint Andrew’s Cathedral
http://www.livingstreams.org.sg
South Asian Connection
http://www.southasianconnection.com
Punjabi Masihi Church
http://www.punjabichurch.com
Tamil Christian Media
http://www.tamilchristianmedia.com
Smyrna Assembly of God
http://www.smyrnaassembly.com
Bethelehem Punjabi Church
http://www.bethlehempunjabichurch.com
Coconut Generation
http://www.coconutgeneration.com
______________________________________________________________
CONTACT US
South Asian International Fellowship
www.saifchurch.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
We meet every Sunday at 5.00 – 7.00 pm at the Chapel for All Peoples of Saint Andrew's Cathedral.
St Andrew's Cathedral
11 St Andrew's Road,
Singapore 178959
Lead Pastor
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu
pastorpritam@gmail.com
info@saifchurch.com
+65-9009.4494
Training Consultant
Farzand Tanzeem
scanet@gmail.com
+65-9682.4493
Missionary Pastor
Rev. Dr. Noah Pashapa
npashapa@gmail.com
+65-9422.9048
DIRECTIONS
St Andrew's Cathedral
11 St Andrew's Road
Singapore 178959
MRT - Directly Above City Hall MRT Station
BUS : 61, 124, 145, 166, 174, 197, 174M, 174E,
NR1, NR2, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8, 648.
32, 51, 63, 80, 195, 851, 961, Heritage H9, City Buzz C1.
DRIVING: By car or taxi
Enter by St Andrew's Cathedral Stamford Road Entrance
South Asian International Fellowship
A South Asian Church in Singapore pioneered by Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu. If you are travelling or transiting in Singapore, we warmly welcome you to join us for Sunday Services every Sunday from 5.00 – 7.00 pm at the Chapel for All Peoples of Saint Andrew's Cathedral.
………………………………………
History of SAIF
SAIF Church started with a vision to reach out to the South Asian community in Singapore. With much prayer and seeking the face of God, three families started the church in the home of Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu in September 2007. Three weeks later they moved to the Bible House at 7, Armenian Street for a more central meeting place.
The church started humbly with nothing but a zeal for mission and evangelism. Our voices and claps of our hands were the only rhythm that brought a sweet acceptable sacrifice of praise to God. A pianist helped us for about 2 months on the out-of-tuned piano at the Bible House. After four months till the present day, we only have a guitarist. But one thing we can confidently declare, the worship services have been nothing short of anointed with tears, kneeling, raised hands, healing and restoration.
Two months into our Sunday Services, Pastor Farzand Tanzeem and Dr. Noah Pashapa joined the church as leaders. SAIF church was brought to a new level with the combined leadership skills and spiritual giftedness of each individual.
Today we worship at the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral to the glory of God. God has been faithful, covenant- keeping and gracious to us. We acknowledge the mighty hand of God and His extreme favor on us at SAIF.
_______________________________
The Culture at SAIF is:
Worship-Centered. Our Sunday worship services and mid-week cell groups will seek God in worship. As participants are caught in the presence of God, burdens are lifted and chains are broken.
Holy Spirit- Powered. We will seek that our walk, worship and witness individually and corporately be inspired and powered by the Holy Spirit at all times.
Christ-Centered. We will seek that in all we do or say the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified and His kingdom extended.
Word-Based. Our commitment is to faithfully expose the word of God in disciplined study and sound preaching and teaching. God reveals Himself and speaks to us through His word.
Relationships-Driven. Our goal in ministry is to foster relationships that are authentic. Such relationships happen in small groups where people learn to care for each other with love and grace.
Evangelism-Discipleship Oriented. Our desire is to reach out to the unreached or un-churched people with the gospel of Jesus. This is in accordance with our mission statement to reach the nations and make disciples for Jesus Christ.
Growth Oriented. Our aim is to develop a culture whereby we set milestones of where we have come from and this gives us the focus to where we are going. This in itself helps us to preserve and appreciate who we are.
Socially-Involved. We will always seek to reach out to the needy with the care and compassion of Jesus Christ according to our ability.
……………………………………………………………………………..
SAIF Statement of Faith
South Asian International Fellowship is committed to the foundational doctrines taken from Ephesians 4:1-6 and Hebrews 6:1-2.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God; that the sixty-six books, as originally written, comprising the Old and the New Testaments are entirely free from error; that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice and the true basis for Christian fellowship.
GOD
We believe in one God, Creator of all, holy, sovereign, eternal, existing in three equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
CHRIST
We believe in the absolute and essential deity of Jesus Christ, in His eternal existence with the Father in preincarnate glory, in His virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, triumphant ascension, mediatorial ministry and personal return.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the absolute and essential deity and personality of the Holy Spirit Who convinces of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; Who regenerates, sanctifies, illuminates and comforts those who believe in Jesus Christ.
SATAN
We believe that Satan exists as an evil personality, the originator of sin, the archenemy of God and man.
MAN
We believe that both man and woman were divinely created in the image of God; that both sinned, becoming guilty before God and thereby incurring physical and spiritual death on all mankind.
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is by the grace of our sovereign God; that by the appointment of the Father, Christ voluntarily suffered a vicarious, expiatory and propitiatory death; that justification is by faith alone in the shed blood of Christ on the cross, the all-sufficient sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and that those whom God has effectively redeemed shall be divinely preserved and finally perfected in the image of God.
FUTURE THINGS
We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; in the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and in the judgment and conscious, eternal punishment of the wicked.
___________________________________________________________________
PASTORAL TEAM
Lead Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu is a Punjabi Christian. He is the Pastor of South Asian International Fellowship in Singapore, the founder of South Asian Connection and the International Coordinator for the South Asian Global Convention SAGC 2004 Vancouver, Canada, SAGC 2007 London, UK and SAGC 2009 Singapore- an International gathering for South Asian Christian Youth and Young Adults for Mission Mobilization. He has served as the Youth Pastor/ Leader of Khush Khabri Fellowship in Singapore [1996-2000, 2005-2007] and Youth Pastor at the International Punjabi Masihi Church in Vancouver, Canada [2000-2005].
Pritam Singh was a former Sikh Christian now, a dreamer, a visionary leader and a risk-taker in God's Kingdom. He is passionate about young people and mentoring the Next Generation of South Asian leaders. He is also interested in networking among churches and engaging the cultures.
He holds a Master Degree, a Bachelor of Science and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education degree. He was a Biology and Chemistry teacher in a government school and Vice Principal at a private school in Singapore. He is married to Dr. Balbir Kaur Chaal, a UK born Punjabi Christian and Cambridge educated molecular biologist and they have a cute baby daughter, Sujaan Kaur Sandhu.
Training Consultant – Farzand Tanzeem
Former MISSIONARY of ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL and sent to Pakistan with OPERATION MOBILZATION for 10 yr ('83-'92), where he was involved in Discipleship, Training, Evangelism and Church-planting. During this time, he laid the foundations for a church-planting movement among the majority community in the city of Lahore by starting cell groups, following-up more than 500 correspondence school Students in a city of 5 million people (at that time).Speaks, reads and writes Urdu fluently, now his de facto 2nd language. Involved in getting the Church-planting Institute (CPI) Manual from International Christian Mission (ICM) translated into Urdu.
Was MISSIONS PASTOR with CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR for 4 years ('94-'98) during which time he was responsible for the training of missions interns, mobilizing more than 600 church members ('96) into short-term missions trips and nurturing a missions interest group, as well as, leading a cell group to grow into 5 cells.
Currently Strategy Coordinator (SC) for Urdu-speaking unreached and Trainer of SCs. To date he has already trained 12 Bishops and Priests from various Dioceses and Parishes in Nigeria in partnership with Anglican Frontier Mission (AFM) plus more than 60 others from around the world to reach the unreached.
Missionary Pastor – Dr. Noah Pashapa
PhD.,M.A.,BTh.,Dip. Theo.
Bishop: Life and Liberty Ministries International (Zimbabwe)
Associate Missionary: Asia Pacific Mission
Associate Professor: Bethany International University
Married to Irene Pashapa wife of 26 years with two children, a 20year old son and a 25 year old daughter. A pastor, teacher, mentor, counselor and university lecturer for over 25 years in Zimbabwe, England, South Africa, U.S.A., Northern Ireland, Singapore and Japan. Bishop of Life and Liberty Ministries International (Zimbabwe) for four years (to date) and missionary to the nations for three years.
___________________________________________________________
MINISTRIES
Worship Ministry
Intercessory Ministry
Youth Ministry
Altar Ministry
______________________________________________
CELL GROUPS
SAIF Cell Group meets at three locations.
Chua Chu Kang Cell Group [West Part of Singapore]
Siglap Cell Group [East Part of Singapore]
Shunfu/Bishan Cell Group [North Part of Singapore]
The current cell group material we are using is called Fundamental Truths of Christianity - Bible School in a Briefcase produced by International Christian Missions.
_____________________________
FAQ
The Vision of SAIF is To Establish an International New Testament Type Ministry Through Which South Asians Will Be Empowered To Reach And Disciple The Nations for Christ.
What is a New Testament Type Ministry?
A New Testament type ministry is Kingdom of God focused with Kingdom participation. Every member in this spiritually-gifted church is a minister where the governance is functional team leadership.
Why International?
We desire to be open and inclusive of other nations with a local and global outlook. Isaiah 42:6 reveals the Father heart of God to the nations. We invite everyone . . . and especially those who want to be involved in the work among South Asians locally in Singapore and globally.
Who are South Asians?
South Asians are people who originate from the countries of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives Island and Bhutan but are living elsewhere now. This is inclusive of Tamils, Punjabis, Sindhis, Keralites, Nepalese, Telegus, Jains, Bangladeshis. Pakistanis, Hindustanis, Sri Lankans, Biharis, Bengalis, Maharastrans, Gujeratis, etc. . . .
Why this urgency of the hour?
People who do not know Jesus matter to God. God made all these people after His own image and cares for them like how God cares for you and me. We have a divine responsibility to make Jesus known to them.
What is the theme for South Asian International Fellowship in 2008
“To Know God And To Make Him Known”
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:1
_____________________________________________________
LINKS
Saint Andrew’s Cathedral
http://www.livingstreams.org.sg
South Asian Connection
http://www.southasianconnection.com
Punjabi Masihi Church
http://www.punjabichurch.com
Tamil Christian Media
http://www.tamilchristianmedia.com
Smyrna Assembly of God
http://www.smyrnaassembly.com
Bethelehem Punjabi Church
http://www.bethlehempunjabichurch.com
Coconut Generation
http://www.coconutgeneration.com
______________________________________________________________
CONTACT US
South Asian International Fellowship
www.saifchurch.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
We meet every Sunday at 5.00 – 7.00 pm at the Chapel for All Peoples of Saint Andrew's Cathedral.
St Andrew's Cathedral
11 St Andrew's Road,
Singapore 178959
Lead Pastor
Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu
pastorpritam@gmail.com
info@saifchurch.com
+65-9009.4494
Training Consultant
Farzand Tanzeem
scanet@gmail.com
+65-9682.4493
Missionary Pastor
Rev. Dr. Noah Pashapa
npashapa@gmail.com
+65-9422.9048
DIRECTIONS
St Andrew's Cathedral
11 St Andrew's Road
Singapore 178959
MRT - Directly Above City Hall MRT Station
BUS : 61, 124, 145, 166, 174, 197, 174M, 174E,
NR1, NR2, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8, 648.
32, 51, 63, 80, 195, 851, 961, Heritage H9, City Buzz C1.
DRIVING: By car or taxi
Enter by St Andrew's Cathedral Stamford Road Entrance
My Favorite Bible Verse
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Spirit Of The Sovereign LORD Is On Me.
Isaiah 61 NIV
The Year of the LORD's Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.
The Year of the LORD's Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Joshua Chapter 1
Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
