Advent day 13
light the 13th candle on the Advent Log
I asked for some help in choosing some additional symbols/names of Christ on facebook.
One option was “The Rock” from Ps 18:46
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Here is some beautiful piano music to listen to while reading this blog.
here are two of my favorite responses:
Amy Head:
I actually like the corner stone idea or the rock. As you said Jesus is our rock and cannot be moved or shaken. It also made me think of (and I know this is Easter) but when the stone was moved from Jesus’ grave. How stones are frequent in the word and are powerful things no matter how small. Wind, just like sin, is invisible but you can feel it and know it’s there but wind, like sin, cannot move a stone and the stone is like the word of the Lord.
Rebecca Graves:
I kept thinking of the song On Christ the solid rock I stand. I am glad my feet are not on sinking sand. Altars in the old testament we made of a pile of rocks. They were remembrances of what God had done strewn around the landscapes in various places.
And Rebecca’s post brought this reply from Nellwyn Blackmon:
…that reminds me of one of my favorite verses. ..Psalm 40:2
I love having friends that share my faith, and can give me input into how to worship and honor my Lord and Savior.
Jesus is the solid rock on which we stand…as opposed to sinking sand.
Ps 40:2(Ps 27:5; Matt 7:24-27)
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Jesus is the corner stone the builders rejected, as in the leaders of the church of that day.
Ps 118:22
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Jesus is the rock
Ps 61:2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
He is our shelter, our refuge(as that rock):
Ps 61:3
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
There is the verse that says that we either fall upon the rock for forgiveness or the rock will fall upon us to crush us. The relationship with the rock depends on our heart towards the rock.
Another focus is that we are to build a foundation based upon that rock – Jesus.
1 Cor 3:11
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
We build upon the Rock of Jesus by listening to His words:
Matthew 7:24-25
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And if not:
Matthew 7:26-27
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Ornaments:
These are not typical Christmas/Advent hymn, but are the perfect explanation of why it is so perfect as symbolism for Christ:
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
- Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
- Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
- Naomi’s Heart Ministries
- Obed’s House Ministries
- The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
There is another passage in Matthew where Jesus uses the word “rock” for himself. At the end of the “sermon on the mount” (Mt. 7:24-27), Jesus contrasts those who merely hear his words with those who also do what he says to do; the former are standing on sand, while the latter are on rock. So here the rock has to do not only with Jesus but also with obeying what Jesus says to do.