The approaches to the Tariaro Bridge were washed away by the floods in spring, so it was good to be able to ride one of my favourite routes again after a couple of months. The Namoi River is looking splendid today.
Today’s Bike Ride
Month: January 2023
Today’s Sermon
Quote for the Day
A loving God created the earth as his own abode-temple, intending humanity to be part of his family. Supernatural mutinies brought death, disaster, and disease to earth. Instead of all the earth becoming sacred space, darkness permeated the world. Michael Heiser
Today’s Bike Ride
Windy start to the day. I tried a new route today, going past Bunnings then down Saleyards Lane, Balonne St, up past the Railway station, down around the High School and home. If I had extended the ride down to Riverbend it would have made a nice hour long ride.
The photo is at the newly refurbished railway station. #cycling #Narrabri
Quote for the Day
Contrary to many popular Christian traditions, there were three divine rebellions, not just one; of these, the first two framed ancient beliefs about Satan, the problem of human depravity, and the origin of demons. The third is the point of reference for the “princes” of Daniel 10 and Paul’s teaching on the principalities and powers. These divine rebels are distinct—the rebellions were not committed by the same entities. Michael Heiser
Reflection on 1 Samuel 29:1-11
Scripture
But Achish insisted, “As far as I am concerned, you are as perfect as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders afraid to have you with them in battle.”
Observation
David and his men join the Philistine army as it prepares to fight against Israel. While Achish is happy to have David and his army, the other Philistines fear that he may turn on them and fight in support of Israel.
Achish summons David and tells him that he trusts Davi,d but the other commanders refuse to have him with them. He sends David home, as the Philistine Army moves on to Jezreel.
Application
Achish seems perfectly oblivious to the lies that David has been telling him. He trusts David totally, even though David has been pretending to conduct raids on Israel.
People are often willing to be deceived. They see what they want to see in other people and in current events. Politicians and marketers rely on our gullibility.
It seems that God was blessing David’s deception.
All through the Old Testament, the Lord blesses the use of deception in war. We must not deceive each other in business deals and in our and relationships, but misinformation is a valid tactic in military operations.
Prayer
Lord, please open my eyes to see your truth. May I never be sucked in by the lies of other people. Amen.
Orthodox Rabbis Issue Call For New Look At Jesus
From blog.canberradeclaration.org.au :
Rabbis Bring Jesus Home for Christmas
We’re witnessing the undoing of 2,000 years of Jewish rejection and animosity towards Jesus, a miracle by any estimation.
By David Lazarus, Israel Today
Quote for the Day
In Scripture, darkness is a metaphor for negative, fearful human experiences. There are roughly two hundred references to darkness in Scripture, nearly all of which are used as a contrast to the God of the Bible—the source of love and life. It is no surprise, then, that death, the threat of death, and the realm of the dead itself are linked to supernatural entities expelled from God’s presence and service. Michael Heiser
Reflection on 1 Samuel 28:1-25
Scripture
But Samuel replied, “Why ask me, since the Lord has left you and become your enemy? The Lord has done just as he said he would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David.”
Observation
The Philistines gather for war against Israel. Saul is filled with fear and seeks the Lord, but the Lord refuses to answer.
Saul finds a medium, a woman at Endor, and he asked her to summon up the spirit of Samuel. Samuel tells him that the Lord has done just what he said He would do. He is about to hand the kingdom over to his rival, David,and the next day Saul and his sons will be dead.
Application
The Bible consistently condemns those who seek to consult with the spirits of the dead. Earlier, Saul had banned this practice, but now in desperation, he consults a medium.
With very few exceptions, once a person dies, they are not able to return to this world or to communicate with the living. So any apparent message from “the other side” is a demonic deception. It is a kind of counterfeit prophecy .
We don’t need to talk to the dead. We have a living Saviour who died but rose again. We know that we who are saved will also rise with Christ to eternal life.
When people consult with fortune tellers, mediums, Ouija boards, and the like, they are opening themselves to being overwhelmed by evil spirits. It is best to stay right away from these practises .
Prayer
Thank you Father that you delight to communicate with your children. We can talk with you anytime and any place. Amen.
Today’s Bike Ride
A nice ride this morning. The edge has gone off the heat, so very pleasant. A highlight was a very close encounter with a peewee flying across the road – he misjudged the trajectory and came within cms of hitting my face 🦅🚲😁
New Life Narrabri 
More than 25 prominent rabbis from Israel and abroad issued a statement calling for a renewed look at Jesus, Christians and the New Testament faith.
Quoting from their own sages, these outstanding Orthodox rabbis are not ashamed to exalt the name of Jesus, welcoming the carpenter from Nazareth back into the Jewish fold.
Saying that Jesus, even more than any other Jewish Sage, honoured, strengthened and protected the “immutability of the Torah” is an extraordinary acknowledgement. These leading rabbis are turning the tides of history by removing one of the main stumbling blocks in the path of a major Jewish reclamation of Jesus!
Undoing the Mischaracterisation of Jesus
You will recall that religious Jews rejected Jesus from the beginning, with the accusation that he did not obey the Torah, therefore he could not be the awaited Messiah. In the New Testament, we find the Pharisees arguing with Jesus over Sabbath rules, dietary laws, ritual cleanliness, marriage regulations and more. They insisted that Jesus cannot be the Messiah because “he is teaching everywhere not to obey Moses.” (Acts 6:14)
What we are now witnessing is the undoing of 2,000 years of Jewish rejection and animosity towards Jesus, a miracle by any estimation. For the out-and-out refusal by Jews to accept Jesus is slowly, but surely, coming to an end, as growing numbers of prestigious Orthodox rabbis welcome Jesus back.
Jews and Christians United
Two thousand years of Christian antisemitism, Crusades, Inquisitions and a Holocaust cannot keep the Star of Bethlehem from rising again in Israel.
This call by these distinguished rabbis to embrace Christians as “brothers and sisters” is no less a miracle. For Jews to accept Christians with such endearment, after so much misunderstanding and antisemitic ugliness, can only be understood as a divine work of heavenly grace, the likes of which I find unfathomable.
For as this group of Orthodox rabbis points out, it is their “Father in Heaven” who is calling the Jewish people to lay down the past, put aside enmity, and willingly embrace Christians and their faith in Jesus.
That, my friends, is the deeper work of the Holy Spirit, as spoken about throughout Scripture.
Spiritual Breakthrough
In their statement, the rabbis want to find a way to acknowledge the differences between Christian and Jewish beliefs, without taking, or giving, offense.
“As did Maimonides and Yehudah Halevi, we acknowledge that Christianity is neither an accident nor an error, but the willed divine outcome and gift to the nations. In separating Judaism and Christianity, G-d willed a separation between partners with significant theological differences, not a separation between enemies,” the statement concludes.
Where Does Yeshua Fit in Judaism?
These so-called “significant theological differences” between Christianity and Judaism are really about Yeshua (Jesus). He is the stumbling block.
Yeshua may be Messiah, Son of the Living God for the Gentiles, but my Jewish people are still not quite sure just who he is for them.
So while these rabbis are making major and unprecedented strides in bringing my people closer to the Messiah Yeshua, they are still far from the truth. For if Jesus is the Messiah for the Gentiles, how much more must He be for the Jews?
Perhaps Jesus is not quite at home in the typical Jewish family, but He is certainly knocking on the door.