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ADVENT 16: JESUS – BREAD OF LIFE

December 16, 2022December 6, 2022 joymargetts

BREAD FROM HEAVEN

In John 6 we have the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. A day later Jesus is being mobbed by a crowd demanding that this ‘magician’ do another miracle for them. They try and spiritualise their request by referring to the manna, or bread from heaven, that God had sent to feed the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16). Jesus’ reply is blunt; that sort of bread will never satisfy you. They are looking to satisfy their natural desires, but they need to be much more concerned that they have the food that will give them eternal life.

Text of John 6 v 35 on a background of white washed wooden planks, with a row of iced Christmas cookies below.

BREAD OF LIFE

‘I am the bread of life,’ He tells them, and if you feed on me you will never hunger again (John 6: 35). What stands before them is much more than a miraculous loaf of bread but the very source of eternal life. He urges them to feed on Him, He is the living bread, sent from heaven to satisfy every need and desire of their hearts (John 6: 48-51). Every time we take the bread at the communion table we are physically sharing in His body broken for us. We remember that the Living Bread was broken so that we could have life in Him (Luke 22:19).

Text of Luke 22 v 19 on a background of white washed wooden planks, with a row of iced Christmas cookies below.

FEED ON HIM

Now, I love bread. It is the hardest thing for me to give up when trying to lose weight! There is nothing so tempting as a fresh loaf of crusty bread, warm from the oven. It looks good and smells wonderful, but if I just set it on the table in front of you and told you to just look and smell, that would be cruel! Bread is to be eaten. The bread of life is the same. He urges us to feed on Him, to have every spiritual and emotional need met (John 6:57). How? Well in the same way as we ingest bread, we need to take Him into ourselves. First, we invite Him to be Lord of our lives, invite Him into our hearts, and accept His gift of eternal life. But then, just as the Israelites needed daily manna, so we need to feast on Him daily, by spending time talking with Him, worshipping Him, and reading and meditating on His word. He is the only thing that can feed our spiritual lives and keep us healthy, strong and growing.

Spend time feasting on Him today.

Photo of a part sliced loaf of crusty bread on a bread board. With the words 'bread of life'.

Image of front cover of the book The Healing

‘Hywel has asked to be released from work duties while he is here in order to spend his time alone in prayer and fasting.’

‘Probably just thankful for a break from me,’ Philip muttered under his breath, but not so quiet that Julian did not hear it.

The abbot smiled kindly. ‘Not that, brother. I can assure you. Hywel has a very special relationship with God, and when he has been on the road and busy in the world outside of abbey walls, he finds the opportunity to take a day or two, and be in close communion with God, a necessity. He will come back to you when he has finished doing what he needs to do with God.’

THE HEALING p123

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 15: JESUS – LIGHT

December 15, 2022December 5, 2022 joymargetts

YOUR LIGHT HAS COME

In Isaiah 9:2 we read the prophecy that a great Light will come to transform the lives of those who walk in darkness and live in the shadow of death. This is one of my favourite prophecies of Jesus; Matthew quotes it about Him in Matt 4:16.

Isaiah 42:6 tells us that this same Light will bring revelation truth to the Gentiles (nations), and Luke attributes this prophecy to Jesus in Luke 2:32. And then in Isaiah 60:1-3 the cry comes ‘Arise Shine, for your Light has come!’, and the promise that gentiles will come to this Light.

Text of Isaiah 9 v 2 on a royal blue background, with a Christmas candle in the corner.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

The themes of darkness and light run throughout scripture. Darkness is evil, sin, godlessness, fear, hopelessness, anxiety, despair, oppression, lack of sight, lack of wisdom or direction, and death. In contrast Light signifies goodness, holiness, hope, joy, peace, vision, revelation, life and glory. Jesus came to turn darkness to light. John the Baptist called Him ‘the true light which gives light to every man’ and the light that darkness could not understand or overcome (John 1:4-9). Jesus said of Himself ‘I am the Light of the World, He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life’ (John 8:12)That’s good news! There is no power of darkness that His light cannot dispel.

WALK IN THE LIGHT

If we follow closely after Him, then all darkness must bow to His light. We can live in hope, joy, and revelation light, even when darkness is all around us. But it is a choice, Jesus warned His listeners in John 3:19-21 that darkness is powerful, and many still choose darkness over Light. It is still a choice, even to those of us who already belong to Him. To be dragged back into walking/living in darkness, or to choose to stay close to Him and walk in His light (1 John 1:5-7).

His call to us is, ‘Arise Shine, for my Light has come to you.’

Text of Isaiah 60 v 1 on a royal blue background, with a Christmas candle in the corner.

‘Do you believe that I can really be free of this darkness inside of me?’ Philip sighed. The feelings of despair were not far from the surface again. ‘I have witnessed much suffering, death and cruelty, and I have been the cause of some of it. I have suffered betrayal, and I have betrayed my own beliefs. I have taken out my frustrations on the undeserving, God included. I have done much that I am ashamed of.’

‘As have we all.’

Philip doubted very much that Hywel had, but as he glanced up, he saw a flicker of pain cross the monk’s face.

‘I can assure you,’ Hywel continued, ‘sitting here with you, that as sure as the sun there will set and rise again tomorrow, there is hope that you can walk free from all of it. From darkness, into life-giving light. That is the message of Easter is it not?’ He held Philip’s gaze. ‘The followers of Jesus watched in horror as He was interrogated, tortured, and hung on a cross to die, all by those who were supposedly acting in the name of God. As He hung there on that tree He uttered those extraordinary words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”[1] It is supposed that He was referring to the soldiers tasked with His execution, but what if that forgiveness was being extended to all who had played a part in His death? To those who had orchestrated and ordered it, those who stood mocking Him as He died, even to His followers who had denied and abandoned Him?’ Hywel paused briefly to let his words settle, watching Philip’s face all the time. He continued, ‘And then, after three days buried in a tomb, the women came to grieve Him and found He had risen. Jesus had passed from death to life, defeating darkness and rising into glorious light. And so, yes, I believe each of us can be free of the power of darkness, because of the resurrection. God offers forgiveness and light to us all.’

THE HEALING pp 56-57

[1] Luke 23:34, NKJV.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 14 : JESUS – LAMB OF GOD

December 14, 2022December 4, 2022 joymargetts

LAMB OF GOD

This is how John the Baptist announced Jesus in John 1:29, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ The next day he declared the same, and two of his disciples immediately left him to follow Jesus. John could have said, ‘behold the Messiah’, or ‘behold the Son of God’, but he didn’t make it that obvious. We can’t know for sure, but I wonder if those two disciples understood the description? Something made them follow after Jesus.

Text of John 1 v29 on a white background, surrounded by pine branches and tree decorations

WITHOUT BLEMISH

For them ‘lamb’ signified sacrifice, they had grown up under a covenant where lambs were routinely offered as sacrifices for the atonement of sin, as laid down in Levitical law. John was describing Jesus as a sacrifice for the whole world’s sin. They would also know of the importance of the ‘lamb without blemish’. Before even the law of sacrifices was established, God had told His people to take and kill a lamb without blemish and paint its blood on the doorposts of their homes, to protect themselves from the Angel of death, at the first Passover ( Exodus 12:3-5 ). The blood of the lamb was their protection and salvation.

photo of a new born lamb lying on a pile of grass with the words 'Lamb of God' above.

ETERNALLY WORSHIPPED

Jesus offered His blood as the price for our redemption, ‘as a lamb without blemish and spot’ (1Peter 1:18-19). He that ‘knew no sin’ (2 Corinthians 5 : 21) sacrificed Himself to make atonement for our sins. His blood was spilt and stained on the uprights and crossbeam of a wooden cross, so that the punishment of death would pass over us. We don’t see this description of Jesus anywhere else in the Gospels, but it is an eternal theme. In Heaven that is how Jesus appears – as a Lamb that had been slain (Revelation 5 : 6), and it is as the Lamb of God that He is eternally worshipped: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour, and glory and blessing’! (Revelation 5 :12)

Let’s worship along with heaven today!

Text of Revelation 5 v 12 on a white background, surrounded by pine branches and tree decorations

Image of front cover of the book the Pilgrim

Here all was simplicity, and as the service progressed, so the simplicity of worship also became evident. There were no written words of liturgy, no formality, no separate area for monks and lay people, male or female, as Hywel was used to. All came together with one purpose, to praise their Creator together. The priest began to recite, and the words were from a psalm. The people in the congregation added their voices. They knew these words by heart, and they were spoken with conviction. One by one voices began to sing along with the responses, until there sounded the most beautiful of symphonies, voices coming together in sweet harmonies, rising and falling together. Their worship filled the space, until it felt as if heaven itself had leant a choir of angels to the realm of humans.

Hywel looked about him in wonder. All around him faces were lifted in adoration, bathed in peace and joy. Some knelt and spread their hands in devotion. One or two lay prostrate on the floor. It was a deeply moving experience and Hywel wished for it not to end. Could it be that God Himself had presenced Himself there, as a response to their praise, as He had in Solomon’s great Temple?[1] Hywel found himself on his knees, overcome by the heavy sense of the Holy in that simple place, among those simple people. He could not even pray, but where he knelt he was aware of tears coursing down his cheeks and falling to the cool stone floor beneath him.

THE PILGRIM p 214

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

[1] See 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

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ADVENT 13: JESUS – REDEEMER

December 13, 2022December 3, 2022 joymargetts

REDEEMER

In Isaiah 59:20, God declares ‘The Redeemer will come to Zion’. Many times in the Old Testament God refers to Himself as the Redeemer, but in this instance, He is talking of the One to come. We know this as this verse is quoted in Romans 11:26 and most definitely refers to Jesus. In his prophetic song of praise at the birth of his son, Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, declares that the moment has come for Israel to be redeemed and that their salvation is coming. This is in the person of Jesus (Luke 1:68-69)

Text of Luke 1:68-69 against a background of wood with evergreens and red hearts bordering

BOUGHT BACK

So, what does ‘redeemer’ mean? I looked up the word ‘redeem’ in the dictionary and my favourite definition of the word is this – ‘to gain or regain possession of something with a payment’. It means to buy back something, but I particularly like the bit about regaining a possession. Because that is what God did through Christ. We were made for God, made to be the object of His love and to share in close intimate relationship with Him. Our sin and disobedience separated us from Him; in a sense we were lost to Him. He had to pay to get us back. And what a payment! 1 Peter 1:18-19 tells us that it wasn’t with silver and gold, that are precious but corrupt over time, but with His own precious blood that He redeemed us. Our redemption cost Jesus His life.

Text of 1 Peter 1:18-19 against a background of wood with evergreens and red hearts bordering

KINSMAN REDEEMER

In the Hebrew the term redeemer implies something more than just buying back, it suggests the requirement that it be person of close relationship. Beautifully illustrated in the story of Ruth and Boaz, the kinsman redeemer had a responsibility to take under his care and protection one that was vulnerable through widowhood or abandonment. This wasn’t the act of a stranger, but someone closely related. Jesus chose to redeem us, not as a stranger, but as one who already loved us unconditionally. He took on the role of kinsman redeemer for us so that we can come under His care and protection. Not only are we bought back by Him, but we are brought into His family, to be loved and secure for all eternity.

How precious are we to Him that He was willing to pay so much for our redemption!

A cross on a hill, dark against a dramatic red, yelllow and white sky

‘It cost Me this.’ This time it was a whisper and it sounded inside his head. All at once Hywel knew it was no human voice. He opened his eyes and looked up at the depiction of the crucified Christ above him, the hands spread wide, nail-pierced and bleeding. The twisted legs, the spear-wounded side, the thorn-crowned head bowed in agony. It was only a lifeless, silent carving and yet it spoke more than a thousand words could have in that moment. A life surrendered, a death embraced, a punishment borne. For him.

THE PILGRIM p 223

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 12: JESUS – SON OF DAVID

December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 joymargetts

SON OF DAVID

The genealogies at the beginning of the gospels of Matthew and Luke both show how Jesus was physically descended from King David. This was the fulfilment of the promise given to David in 2 Samuel 7:16, ‘your throne shall be established forever’. The people of Jesus’ time knew that the Messiah would have the title ‘Son of David’ (Matt 21:9). As a descendant of David’s royal line, in human terms He had a right to the throne of Israel. The Angel told Mary that her son, although the Son of God, would also be given David’s throne (Luke 1:32)

Text of Luke 1 v 32 against a background of weathered wooden slats, surrounded by Christmas lights and pine cones

MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART

But why was it so important to God that Jesus was called the ‘Son of David’? 1 Samuel 13 : 14 tells us that God chose David to be King, as a man after His own heart. David was far from perfect, but held a special place in God’s affection, and knew a closeness with God that was ahead of his time. He was obedient to God, sought His will and direction, submitting himself to God’s care and protection. David was a warrior King who brought peace to Israel and established a strong Kingdom. But He was also a worshipper, giving us most of the Psalms, establishing 24/7 worship, and overseeing the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Jews of Jesus’ time would have looked back and revered David and his reign.

Text of Matthew 21 v 9 against a background of weathered wooden slats, surrounded by Christmas lights and pine cones

GREAT DAVID’S GREATER SON

And then the Son of David appeared. I believe David was a picture of Christ, albeit an imperfect one. Jesus was a man whose heart was completely and perfectly after God, He lived His life in submission and obedience, a life that worshipped God. A warrior king He would fight, to the point of giving up His life, in order to establish a new and eternal kingdom. David brought the Ark, the presence of God back into the heart of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus came to bring the presence of God into the heart of all who would receive Him. David was a man after God’s own heart, Jesus was the heart of God personified.

What does it look like for us to have a heart after God?

The star of David in blue and gold, with a stylized blue crown above, and the words 'Son of David' below

‘God gave everything He had for our salvation. He gave his only Son. Then, when we return to Him as Father, He loads us with even more good things: peace, joy, hope and many more blessings besides, as you are just beginning to experience. What then is our rightful response to all He has given us? What could we possibly give back to Him?’

‘I have nothing apart from my horse and a few meagre belongings now. What could I possibly give to God?’ And then he knew the answer. ‘I have nothing to give Him but myself,’ Philip whispered. It was the realisation of a powerful truth.

‘Which is all any of us have to give Him,’ Hywel replied softly, ‘and all that He ever asks of us.’

THE HEALING p 85

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 11 : JESUS – IMMANUEL

December 11, 2022December 1, 2022 joymargetts

IMMANUEL

Immanuel means ‘God with us’ and we know that from Matthew 1 :23. The gospel writer, Matthew, quotes from Isaiah 7:14 as he tells the story of Joseph, and his dream encounter with the Angel. Joseph had just been told that the child Mary carried was the Son of God. In this context ‘Immanuel’ is a name, the name given to the child born of a virgin, who would be the Messiah, the Saviour.

Text of Matthew1 v 23, on a background of whitewashed wood, bordered by red and gold Christmas decorations

GOD AS A MAN

God Himself, in the person of His Son, descended into humanity so that He could live among us. We can put from our minds all thoughts of a distant, uninterested God. He was born into poverty, hardship, shame, fear and uncertainty, under Roman oppression. He chose to experience these things, as well as injustice, hatred, misunderstanding, loneliness, physical torture and death. He suffered these willingly, for our salvation, but also so that He could fully understand our pain and suffering (Hebrews 4:15).

SImple painting of Joseph and Mary, cradling the infant Christ, beside a manger. With the word Immanuel below.

OUR COMFORT

He truly made Himself ‘God with man’, and this is our comfort. There is nothing that we can face that He has not experienced Himself. We can never believe that He does not care, because He truly knows how we feel. He also had no problem identifying with the undesirables – from the shepherds, to tax collectors and prostitutes. He came to be with those who needed Him most, God with every man, whatever their status.

OUR BATTLE CRY

But ‘Immanuel’ occurs elsewhere in Isaiah, in chapter 8, verses 8 and 10. Here it is not a name but a cry of trust, from a nation facing humiliation and defeat; it is a yell, ‘Our God is With Us!’. Immanuel is our comfort but also our battle cry. Whatever we face, He, Almighty God, is truly with us. ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5) is His promise.

Is Immanuel both your comfort and your battle cry?

Text of Isaiah 8 v10, on a background of whitewashed wood, bordered by red and gold Christmas decorations

‘Were you afraid on the ship?’

‘Honestly? Yes. Fear in itself is a normal human reaction. You would expect to feel fear every time you entered a battle?’ He glanced over at Philip who nodded in response. ‘I was afraid, but I have learned to do the things God requires me to do, even when I feel fear. He promises to ride the storm with me, every time.’ He continued, ‘I prayed the whole time that God would help me, to not let my fear become greater than the faith I had in Him to keep us safe. My mind was eventually able to find a degree of peace, unlike my stomach.’ He smiled wryly.

THE HEALING p 95

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 10 : JESUS – SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

December 10, 2022December 9, 2022 joymargetts

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

There are lines in the carol ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, that you’ve probably sung many, many times:

‘Hail the Son of Righteousness, Life and Light to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings’.

The scripture it comes from is Malachi 4 : 2, and it is not the ‘Son’ but the ‘Sun’ of righteousness. It makes more sense when you realise that ‘wings’ can also be translated as ‘rays’. The picture is of a bright shining sun, whose rays are full of healing life. Sunlight is necessary for all life and growth. As the sun rises in the morning it brings light and warm. In the same way, Jesus the Sun comes, and His rising brings – light that dispels darkness, warmth, healing. He brings life itself to all who will fall under His rays.

Text of Malachi 4 v 2 against a background of Christmas tree lights in soft focus

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU

In 2 Samuel 23: 4, David speaks of a just ruler to come, with ‘light like the morning sun’, whose appearing will dispel the clouds, and dry the rain off the grass so that it springs back to life. This is the Sun of Righteousness; the Hebrew word translated ‘righteousness’ is the same word God uses to describe the one to come, the Branch, in Jeremiah 23 :6 – ‘the Lord Our Righteousness’, Jehovah Tsidkenu. He is altogether right, just and Holy.

Photo showing a rising sun with it's rays dispelling dark clouds

HEALING IN HIS WINGS

This Sun is He whose face shone like the sun (Rev 1: 16). His coming was the dawn, the dayspring (Luke 1 : 78) that a jubilant Zachariah (the Father of John the Baptist) sang of. So now when you sing that carol and get to those lines you can sing with understanding (you have my permission to change the Son to Sun, no one will notice!).

In His sunshine rays, spreading out from His glorious brightness are your life, and your healing.

Text of Luke 1 v 78 against a background of Christmas tree lights in soft focus

What was he doing on this pilgrimage? Yes it hadn’t been his choice to come, but now he had got this far, now he had seen what this journey meant to so many of his fellow travellers, he found his own heart purposed to complete it. It felt now like it was a necessary part of his own life journey, his own soul healing perhaps. His life up to this point had not gone as he had planned, and as for the future, he was more unsure of that than he had ever been. At least this journey had a purpose, and physical end point. But it wasn’t just getting to the Holy Island – Hywel knew that he needed to end this journey knowing the answer to the questions Gwrgenau had sent him away with, if he ever hoped to return to Cwmhir.

He longed for peace for his soul, and freedom from the burden of guilt that still plagued him. He wanted to know what his life purpose was; had God really called him, and for what? He could not turn back now. He could not return to Cwmhir unchanged, he knew it.

THE PILGRIM pp 185-186

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 9 : JESUS – STAR OF JACOB

December 9, 2022December 1, 2022 joymargetts

STAR OF JACOB

When we think of the prophets of the Old Testament who prophesied about the Messiah, we might think Isaiah, or Malachi, or Zechariah maybe. But did you know that an evil and self-serving false prophet of the god Baal was used by God to prophecy about His Son? Balaam, was his name, and if you don’t know his story, it’s worth a read. Not least because it features a talking donkey! (Numbers 22-24)

I love that God used a man with evil intentions and put His own words in his mouth. Frustrating his attempts to curse God’s people. Balaam says in Numbers 24 : 17, ‘I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A star shall come out of Jacob: A sceptre shall rise out of Israel’.

Text of Numbers 24 v 17 on a background of gold paint and stars

STAR IN THE EAST

In Eastern tradition the image of a star was well known to refer to a great and illustrious ruler, especially used in conjunction with the sceptre. This prophecy had two fulfilments: the great King David who was yet to come, but looking much further ahead, it also pointed to King Jesus. It was very likely that this prophecy informed the wise men (Matt 2:2). The appearing of a bright and unusual star in the sky heralding the birth of a great and brilliant King set them on their journey to find and worship Him. He would be the one who shone with brilliance, lighting the darkness, like a bright star in the night sky. His brilliance would be a guiding light, and a symbol of hope.

Line painted image of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in a stylized stable, with a large star above and the words 'Star of Jacob' beneath

BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR

Turn to the book of Revelation and there you see Him as He is now (Rev 1 : 13-17), His face shining like the ‘sun in all its strength’. So glorious that John, the one who in life had been so familiar with the person of Christ that he had laid his head on His chest, fell flat on his face as if dead before Him. In Rev 22 : 16, Jesus says ‘I am… the Bright and Morning Star’. No more a baby in a manger, no more a humble man, He stands as the brilliant glorious resurrected and ascended King, the Star of Jacob shining for all eternity.

He still shines in our darkness today. His brilliance our guiding hope.

Text of Revelation 22 v 16 on a background of gold paint and stars

A far more wise and loving teacher.’ Hywel was serious now. ‘The Holy Spirit, God Himself, and I believe He has come to dwell inside of you. It is He that has brought the change about, He who has created a new man inside of you, He who will continue to guide, and teach, and direct you as you follow this new path. You do not have to fear what lies ahead for you, Philip, because He has promised to go before you, and prepare the way for you. It is a lot for you to understand at the moment, but I think you will more and more see His work in your life, grow to trust His ways, and hear Him speaking to you in the quiet of your heart.’

‘The rain has eased, I think,’ Hywel said, as he untied their sorry-looking horses. ‘We could rest longer, but I would rather push on so that we can arrive at Stay-a-Little before dark.’

Hywel was right, the rain had more or less stopped and the clouds had lifted slightly. Philip felt himself lighter also. He knew he needed to trust God for what was to come next for him. He would choose hope, as Hywel had taught him, and thank God for what He had already done to turn his life around.

THE HEALING p 132

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

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ADVENT 8 : JESUS – CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

December 8, 2022November 30, 2022 joymargetts

SIMEON

There is a little story in Luke 2:25-30 that introduces us to Simeon. Simeon was an old man, a devout lover of God who had waited for years for the promised Messiah. He was led to be in the Temple by the Holy Spirit at just the moment that Jesus’ parents arrived with the infant Christ, and got to hold his Messiah in his arms and to prophesy over Him

CONSOLATION: COMFORT

Luke tells us that Simeon was waiting expectantly for the ‘Consolation of Israel’. Now the word ‘consolation’ can be translated as ‘comfort’, ‘help’ or ‘encouragement’ and that is great. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Israel was in dire need of comfort, help and encouragement and it was no wonder that Christ was longed for. He is the bringer of comfort. Elsewhere in scripture we are promised the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9 : 31), the comfort of the Scriptures (Psalm 119:50) and the comfort of God Himself (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Text of 2 Corinthians 1:3, within a wreath of evergreen and berries

ADVOCATE

But a more exact translation of the word ‘consolation’ is ‘advocate’: it has legal implication. It is the one ready to stand by your side before the judge and give evidence on your behalf. Applying this to the person of Jesus makes much more sense. Yes, He would be the bringer of comfort, but He was also coming as an advocate.

He is our advocate before the Great Judge, His Father. He is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4 :14). What a comfort it is to picture Him standing beside us before God. When we know we need someone to speak on our behalf, because we mess up so easily. What a consolation to our troubled spirits, when guilt and shame threaten, to know that He gave His life, so that we can be free of those once and for all. He is our great encourager, our consolation.

Thank Him for being your consolation, in every sense of the word.

Text of Hebrews 4:14, within a wreath of evergreen and berries

Where can I go from your Spirit? He had read that. He couldn’t remember when, but now he could almost see the words written on the page in his imagination. He closed his eyes and there they were.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’ Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.[1] The words comforted him, and his mind stilled. The darkness suddenly didn’t seem as dark. Hywel turned over onto his side and sleep came quickly.

THE PILGRIM p202

[1] Psalm 139:7-12, NKJV.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

advent, Bible, Christian Writer, Jesus, Names of Christ, The Word of God

ADVENT 7 – JESUS – THE BRIDEGROOM

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 joymargetts

THE BRIDEGROOM

One of the most beautiful descriptions of Jesus for me is that of the bridegroom.

John the Baptist exalted Christ, describing Him as the bridegroom coming for His bride. He described himself as the friend of the bridegroom (John 3:29). Jesus also described Himself as the bridegroom. He did so in response to the Pharisees who were criticising His disciples for not fasting . Why should they be fasting and miserable when the time they have left with the bridegroom was time for celebration (Matt 9: 15)?

The bridegroom theme was one that Jesus’ listeners would have been familiar with; God Himself described Himself as the bridegroom, the one who rejoices over His people as His bride (Isaiah 62: 5).

text of Isaiah 62 v 5 within a red heart. Above the heart is a string of Christmas lights, below it pine cones and berries.

COMING FOR THE BRIDE

In Hebrew tradition the bride would get herself prepared on her wedding day, and sit beautifully dressed waiting patiently at her home until her bridegroom and his friends came calling. Her bridegroom would then come and take her back with Him to His own home. What a wonderful picture for us. Jesus our bridegroom is coming for us to make us fully His.

Do you not feel you are worthy? Well in Rev 21:2 He tells us that the bride (the church) He is coming for is already beautifully adorned, dressed ready for her bridegroom – because He has made us pure and spotless for Him.

Photograph of the upper body and hand of a bride, in bridal dress, taken through a thick veil.

BESOTTED BY THE BRIDE

And how does He feel about us His bride? Well just turn to Song of Solomon, which is a beautiful love song between the bridegroom and His bride, and a glorious picture of Christ wooing us. Song 4: 9 says ‘you have ravished my heart, My sister, My bride’. He is completely besotted with us. The romantic in me loves that Jesus is described in this way. He is the lover of our souls. Transfixed by our beauty, He can’t wait for the day when He comes and makes us fully His for all eternity.

Do you struggle to see Jesus being besotted by you?

text of Song of Solomon 4 v 9 within a red heart. Above the heart is a string of Christmas lights, below it pine cones and berries.

‘He wants me to have it all, doesn’t He?’ The realisation of that truth was beginning to sink in. ‘God wants me to be happy, to be loved, to be fulfilled, to be useful. For me that could be as a husband, a custodian, a father, even. I still can’t quite believe it, that this is the reason He restored my life? I wanted to believe there was some great act of service I was to do for Him, some noble sacrifice on my part, a life of devotion to Him to pay Him back for what He has done for me.’

THE HEALING p 205

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com