Thursday, 31 July 2014

Words for the Wise, Atonement



1 Peter 2

New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The living Stone and a chosen people

4 As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

‘See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.’[b]
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,’[c]
8 and,

‘A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.’[d]
They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living godly lives in a pagan society

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 ‘He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.’[e]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’ 25 For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Footnotes:

1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14
1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)

Dictionary of Bible Themes

6615 atonement, necessity and nature of

Scripture stresses the seriousness and reality of human sin, and that human beings are unable to atone for their own sins. In his grace, God provides a means by which the situation can be remedied.

Atonement is necessary because of human sinfulness

Atonement is necessary because sin cuts people off from God Isa 59:2 See also Isa 64:7; Eze 39:23; Hab 1:13; Jn 9:31

Atonement is necessary because sin provokes God’s wrath Eph 2:1-3 See also Ge 6:5-7; Ex 32:30-35; Ro 1:18-20; Ro 2:8

God’s gracious nature is the basis for atonement

Atonement is grounded in God’s reluctance to punish sinners Eze 18:32 See also Eze 33:11; 1Ti 2:1-4; 2Pe 3:9

Atonement is grounded in God’s readiness to forgive sin Ex 34:6-7 The punishment of subsequent generations makes God’s abhorrence of sin quite clear, but the extension of his love and forgiveness “to thousands” puts the emphasis in these verses on God’s grace and compassion. See also Ps 145:8; Da 9:9; Jnh 4:2

Atonement is grounded in God’s covenant love Nu 14:19 The Hebrew word for “great love” means God’s loving faithfulness to those within the covenant. See also Ps 25:6-7; Ps 103:8-12; Joel 2:13

God’s provision of atonement is a means of dealing with sin

Atonement through sacrifice Lev 9:7 See also Ex 30:10; Nu 15:22-26

God’s promised new covenant of forgiveness was fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s atoning death Heb 10:16-17 See also Jer 31:33-34; Mt 26:28; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24

Images used to portray the at-one-ment, or restored relationship, between God and humanity

Atonement as forgiveness of sins Eph 1:7-8 See also Lev 19:22; Ac 13:38; Col 2:13-14

Atonement as cleansing and purification Lev 16:30 See also Isa 6:6-7; Tit 2:14; 1Jn 1:7; Rev 7:14

Atonement as reconciliation 2Co 5:19 See also Ro 5:9-11; Eph 2:14-16

Atonement as healing 1Pe 2:24 See also 2Ch 7:14; Ps 103:2-3; Isa 53:5

Atonement as God buying people back for himself Rev 5:9 See also Mt 20:28 pp Mk 10:45; Ac 20:28; 1Pe 1:18-19

Atonement as making holy: creating a relationship of consecrated nearness to God Heb 10:10 See also Col 1:22; Heb 13:12

Dictionary of Bible Themes
Buy The Dictionary of Bible Themes
6617 atonement, in NT

In dying for the sins of the world, Jesus Christ fulfilled and replaced the OT sacrificial system, so that all who believe in him are restored to fellowship with God. Christ is the true high priest, who finally liberates his people from the guilt of sin, by offering himself as the supreme sacrifice.

The atoning purpose of Jesus Christ’s death

Jesus Christ’s death on behalf of others Jn 10:11 See also Jn 10:14-18; 2Co 5:15; Heb 2:9; 1Jn 3:16

Jesus Christ’s atoning death for sin 1Co 15:3 See also Ro 4:25; Ro 8:3; Gal 1:4; 1Pe 3:18

The atoning significance of Jesus Christ’s death is expressed by references to his blood Ro 5:9; Rev 5:9 See also Eph 2:13; 1Pe 1:18-19; 1Jn 1:7; Rev 7:14

Jesus Christ’s atoning death is commemorated in the Lord’s Supper 1Co 11:23-25 See also Mt 26:26-28 pp Mk 14:22-24 pp Lk 22:19-20

Explanations of the atonement

Jesus Christ’s death as an atoning sacrifice Ro 3:25 See also 1Co 5:7; Eph 5:2; 1Jn 4:10; Rev 5:6

Jesus Christ’s atoning death as redemption Mk 10:45 pp Mt 20:28 See also Ac 20:28; Gal 3:13-14; Eph 1:7; Col 1:13-14

The atonement is effective because of Jesus Christ’s sinlessness

2Co 5:21 See also Heb 4:15; 1Pe 2:22-24; 1Jn 3:5

Jesus Christ’s death fulfils and replaces the Day of Atonement

Jesus Christ makes atonement as the new high priest Heb 7:26-28

Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new and better covenant Heb 8:6-7; Heb 9:15

Jesus Christ has made atonement in the true heavenly sanctuary Heb 8:1-2; Heb 9:24

Jesus Christ’s atoning blood brings effective cleansing Heb 9:12-14

Jesus Christ’s single sacrifice replaces the many required under the old covenant Heb 10:11-14

Access to the heavenly sanctuary is now open Heb 10:19-20


By dying with Christ, believers are released from this age into the life of the age to come

Ro 6:1-7 See also Ro 7:4-6; Gal 2:19-20; Gal 6:14; Eph 2:6-7; Col 2:11-13

God the Father and the atoning death of his Son

God’s sending of his Son to make atonement 1Jn 4:14 See also Jn 3:16; Ro 8:32; 2Co 5:18; Gal 4:4-5

God’s grace displayed in making atonement for the ungodly Eph 2:4-5 See also Ro 5:6-8; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5

The worldwide scope of Jesus Christ’s atoning death

1Jn 2:2 See also Jn 1:29; 2Co 5:19; 1Ti 2:5

The appropriate response to the atonement

The response of repentance Ac 3:19 See also Ac 2:38; Ac 17:30; Ac 20:21

The response of faith Ac 10:43 See also Jn 3:14-15; Ac 16:31; Ro 3:22; Gal 2:16


The response of baptism Ac 22:16 See also Ac 2:38; 1Pe 3:21



All aboard the orbital railway! Plans afoot for £200bn metro-style train link around London's suburbs with Barking to become the new Piccadilly Circus in 100 years time Daily Mail


Boris Johnson's plans for a new metro-style train link in East London are based on the success of the Overground (pictured) which has brought prosperity to the suburbs
Boris Johnson:

  London Mayor Boris Johnson announced project in Infrastructure 2050 Plan

  New railway will connect London suburbs and even put Barking on the map


  £200bn needs to be pumped into transport to keep capital moving

  As the population soars, demand for rail services will rise by 80 per cent


Plans are being drawn up for a new high-speed orbital railway connecting London's zone three suburbs in a bid to keep the capital's soaring population moving over the next few decades.

London mayor Boris Johnson revealed the scheme in his London Infrastructure 2050 plan and predicted the capital would see a population shift to the east with Barking possibly becoming the next Piccadilly Circus within 100 years time. 

He said about £200bn of spending on transport infrastructure alone would be needed in the capital by 2050 to keep the the city moving.

How to Use Your God-given Influence to Be a Kingdom Builder (Part 1), Rick Warren. Pastors.com


Growing Influence

Everyone has influence. We all influence someone. And God expects us to be good stewards of that influence for His kingdom’s sake. He didn’t give us our influence for selfish purposes on our part, but so that we might share the good news about him – so that we could be Kingdom builders.
What exactly is a “kingdom builder?” It’s someone who has…
·         A great purpose to live for. And for the Christian, we have the greatest purpose of all – to rescue people for eternity through Jesus. Kingdom builders demonstrate a great commitment to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

·         Great principles to live by. A Kingdom builder is one who has a different source from which to draw wisdom – God’s eternal truth revealed in the Bible.

·         Great power to live on. A Kingdom builder operates in a different power that the rest of the world – the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit who offers guidance every step of the way.

·         Great people to live with. A Kingdom builder gathers with God’s people and joins up with a small group for encouragement and accountability.


The wardens on £3k bonuses urged to issue scores of parking tickets daily, target vulnerable people and take photographs at angles to make offences seem worse Daily Mail

While working at the car park at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (pictured), Tony Taylor was told by his bosses to get wardens to focus on the hospitals¿ cancer wards
While working at the car park at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (pictured), Tony Taylor was told by his bosses to get wardens to focus on the hospitals’ cancer wards

  Cowboy parking wardens earn up to £3,000 a month in bonuses, it is claimed

  Leaked emails show bosses at firms push staff to issue scores of tickets daily

  Wardens allegedly using a vile array of 'dirty tricks' to boost their pay

  Some have been ordered to target patients outside cancer wards knowing they are likely to be distracted and late returning to car  



The penalties – which are often issued unfairly and without legal authority – are followed up with intimidating letters from bailiffs and unregistered legal firms threatening court action.

Last night, a whistleblower claimed the firms:

Give staff huge financial incentives to issue as many tickets as possible. They penalise those who do not give out enough,

Target the ill and vulnerable, with no concern if they are disabled – or even dying’,

Hide in their cars so drivers do not realise they are on patrol,

Issue ghost tickets, where parking notices are photographed on car windscreens before being removed so drivers do not know they have been given a ticket and later have to pay an inflated fee,

Take photographs at angles to make offences seem worse than they are and make sure blue badges issued to disabled drivers are out of shot.

The whistleblower’s claims are supported by research from the Citizens Advice Bureau, which has been inundated with complaints over rip-off penalties.

While working at the car park at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Mr Taylor was told by his bosses to get wardens to focus on the hospitals’ cancer wards. Mr Taylor has correspondence which lifts the lid on the threats made by management to staff.






OUTRAGE: Labour propose 15 per cent death tax, Daily Express

Labour death tax, death tax, death tax increased, labour increase death tax, death tax outrage, inheritance tax
Ed Miliband, Labour Leader.

Ed Miliband’s team were accused of plotting a compulsory levy that could snatch £46,000 from the average estate.

Critics warned that families still grieving for lost relatives could face a “secret tax bombshell” under the proposals.


The row was last night threatening to derail the Labour leader’s campaign to highlight party ­election promises.

And it was also being seen as a slap in the face to the hundreds of thousands of Daily Express ­readers who backed this newspaper’s ­crusade for the abolition of ­inheritance tax.

Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “People who save all their lives deserve better than a secret tax bombshell if Labour were ever to get in.”

The death tax proposals were exposed when comments made by shadow health secretary Andy Burnham – at a conference ­organised by the Left-wing Fabian Society last month – were revealed yesterday.

Labour chiefs previously abandoned plans for a levy to cover the costs of social care before the last general election in 2010 – but Mr Burnham confirmed the measure was being revived in “internal party discussions”.

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Fury as Muslim mayor flies Palestinian flag over UK town hall in 'gesture of solidarity', Daily Express

Palestinian flag flying outside Tower Hamlets

THE controversial directly elected mayor of Tower Hamlets today ordered the Palestinian flag to be flown from the town hall as a "gesture of humanitarian solidarity" with the victims of the fighting in Gaza.

The flag was flown above Mulberry Place in London's Docklands following an edict from Lutfur Rahman, who is Britain's only directly elected mayor.

In a statement he said: "We are flying the Palestinian flag over the town hall as a humanitarian gesture of our solidarity with the people of Gaza.

"In addition to the current military onslaught, the blockade of Gaza is causing a humanitarian catastrophe. Over 1,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children. An urgent aid corridor needs to be opened to allow those injured to receive treatment and medical care.

"We mourn the loss of life in this tragic conflict. We call on our Prime Minister to help create a lasting peace that breaks the cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and prevents any further loss of innocent lives.”




Gibraltar rejects Spanish border plans, Daily Telegraph



Spain’s government announced on Tuesday it planned to introduce a “fast lane” for workers resident in Spain with jobs in Gibraltar in a bid to reduce traffic queues at the border to the tiny British Overseas Territory.

The measure, which follows the EU recommending both sides work to ease traffic flow at the frontier, is designed to limit disruption for commuters who travel to Gibraltar each day for employment.

Spain’s Tax Administration Agency said it would spend 5.3 million euros to establish the “fast lane” using bar code readers and turnstiles to check passes issued by those who could prove they are resident in Spain but have regular work in Gibraltar.

An estimated 6,000 workers cross the border into Gibraltar each day.
Gibraltar’s government immediately criticised the plans as not going far enough, claiming freedom of movement should be a privilege enjoyed by all.


Further Reading






The Teaching of Disillusionment 07302014 Jesus did not commit Himself to them . . . , for He knew what was in man —John 2:24-25, Oswald Chambers, Daily Devotional


Oswald Chambers.


Disillusionment means having no more misconceptions, false impressions, and false judgments in life; it means being free from these deceptions. However, though no longer deceived, our experience of disillusionment may actually leave us cynical and overly critical in our judgment of others. But the disillusionment that comes from God brings us to the point where we see people as they really are, yet without any cynicism or any stinging and bitter criticism.

First Muslim mayor to face fraud trial: Tower Hamlets borough boss accused of promising houses for votes Daily Mail

Claims: Lutfur Rahman, 48, is accused of using illegal tactics to win a mayoral election
Lutfur Rahman

  Lutfur Rahman allegedly used illegal tactics to win May mayoral election

  Islamic voters were 'told they should be good Muslims and support him'

  Supporters accused of branding his main rival racist and anti-Islamic

  Four voters have submitted damaging dossier of evidence to High Court

Britain’s first elected Muslim mayor is to face trial over claims he committed widespread voting fraud.

Lutfur Rahman, 48, is accused of using illegal tactics to win the mayoral election in Tower Hamlets, East London, in May.

People were allegedly promised council houses if they backed him and Islamic voters were told they should be ‘good Muslims’ and support him.
His supporters are accused of doctoring ballot papers, manipulating postal voting and sabotaging the chances of his main rival, Labour candidate John Briggs, by branding him racist and anti-Islamic.

Four voters have submitted a damaging dossier of evidence to the High Court in an attempt to overturn Mr Rahman’s election victory.

Yesterday Mr Justice Supperstone and Mr Justice Spence granted them the right to have their allegations heard at a full trial, which is expected to be heard in Tower Hamlets later this year.

Mr Rahman was a member of the Tower Hamlets Labour Party and was its candidate to be the first directly elected mayor of the borough in 2010.
But he was expelled from the Labour party after allegations surfaced about his close links with an Islamic extremist group called the Islamic Forum of Europe.

Mr Rahman then won the 2010 mayoral contest as an independent candidate.









Hospitals send parking bully boys to hound sick and grieving: NHS spends your cash on 'dodgy' debt collectors Daily Mail



  NHS Trusts are employing bogus lawyers to threaten vulnerable patients

  Patients taken to courts over £60 tickets issued while receiving treatment

  Trusts are using bailiffs to go after those who do not pay exorbitant 'fines'

  Parents issued a £50 ticket while at hospital to say goodbyes to dying son 

  Hospital refused to apologise and instructed solicitors to chase payment

Hospitals are spending hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money to force patients to court over car parking tickets.

NHS Trusts are employing ‘unfit’ debt collectors and bogus lawyers to threaten vulnerable patients and their families and make them pay up.

In some cases, patients have been dragged through the courts over £60 tickets issued while they received treatment.

Documents seen by the Mail show Trusts across the country are using bailiffs and legal firms to go after those who do not agree to pay exorbitant car parking ‘fines’.

Elderly parents Robert and Josephine Taylor were issued a £50 ticket while at hospital to say final goodbyes to their son Stephen, who was dying of pneumonia. 

They had accidentally parked in the wrong bay but the hospital refused to apologise and instructed solicitors to chase the payment, threatening court action.




Why do Hospitals feel the need to charge ridiculous car parking charges ?, it’s a tax on the ill and their visitors, and must be stopped  

This Polish boy lives in Warsaw... So why do WE pay his child benefit? Daily Mail

Sebastian Kossmann with his wife, Evita and their son, Mateusz, ten. Sebastian works in England while Evita and Mateusz live  in Warsaw, Poland


Mateusz Kossmann is a ten-year-old boy with a winning smile. 
Every morning, he’s taken to school by his mother Evita, who is delighted her son is in a small class of 14 other children.

The lessons are well-disciplined, pupils thrive academically and politely shake the hand of their teacher at the end of the day.It is just the kind of education Evita wants for Mateusz — and she has found it in her native Poland after a dispiriting spell living in England.

Once Poland became part of the EU in 2004, Evita — like thousands of other Eastern Europeans exploiting the EU open borders policy — excitedly migrated to Britain with her husband Sebastian, and their young son, to begin a new life.Sebastian, now 35, found an £18,500-a-year job in a Bristol factory and the couple successfully applied to be given £82 a month in child benefits for Mateusz, which is more than four times the £18 rate paid for children in Poland.

The Kossmann family is also entitled to £143 a month in child tax credits - a benefit not paid by the Polish government - to supplement Sebastian’s low income. This is paid annually, in arrears.Like countless other EU migrants, the family qualifies for the child-linked benefits because at least one parent works in Britain.

‘From day one, we felt the British welfare system was very generous,’ says Sebastian. ‘We are receiving far more than parents get in Poland. Getting the child tax credits, too, was a big amount of extra cash for us and we were pleased.’


Comment:

I don’t understand why if a child who  lives in another EU Country his parents get Child Benefit and Tax Credits if one parent works here in the UK,  this situation needs reviewing and repealing.




My kingdom for the Force! Richard III model blasted for looking like a STORMTROOPER, Daily Express

A model of Richard III has been likened to a stormtrooper from Star Wars
Richard 111 and a Stormtropper , spot the difference.


A MODEL of Richard III which features at a multi-million pound exhibition has today been blasted for looking like a STORMTROOPER from Star Wars.

Experts said a re-creation of the former King's armour was "grotesque" and made him look an Imperial soldier from George Lucas's iconic sci-fi movies.

The model, which is mainly white like a stormtrooper, is on display at the £4million Richard III Visitor Centre which opened in Leicester over the weekend.

Annette Carson, who is part of the Looking for Richard Project, said her team were "saddened and profoundly disappointed" by the exhibition.

Ms Carson wrote online:  "Other grotesque exhibits include the white-painted depiction of the king's armour resembling a Storm Trooper from Star Wars, despite representatives of the council and university having attended the presentation by Dr Tobias Capwell in March 2013 where he described his armour and illustrated its actual probable appearance.

"As an example of the organisers' taste in these matters, it was only by strenuous insistence that we removed the planned visual which was to greet visitors: the central throne was to be drenched in a sickening pool of blood which dropped down to form words written in blood on the floor below."



Comment:

When I first saw this photo,   I assumed it was the new Star Wars film,   how wrong was that.   Richard 111 needs to have a more accurate armour,  and this disgrace needs to be passed onto JJ Abrams for Star Wars Episode V11.

Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Economic crisis which will hit independent Scotland will 'dwarf' 2008 crash, Treasury minister Danny Alexander warns Daily Mail.

Lib Dem Treasury minister Danny Alexander warned the 2008 economic crash would be 'dwarfed' by the impact of independence


  Lib Dem minister sounds the alarm over impact of Scotland leaving the UK

  Voters will have their say in independence referendum on September 18

  Scotland will lose its £300million-a-year share of the UK's EU, expert claims

  Yes campaign still lagging in the polls with barely 50 days to go 

Scotland will be plunged into a deeper economic crisis than the 2008 crash if it breaks away from the UK, Danny Alexander warned.

The Lib Dem Treasury minister said the devastating financial collapse which took Royal Bank of Scotland to the brink would be 'dwarfed' by the impact of independence.

It came amid claims Scotland will lose its £300million-a-year share of the UK's EU rebate if it votes for separation.

The economic challenge an independent Scotland would face were laid bare with a fresh warning about its £300million-a-year share of the EU rebate.

Professor Carlos Closa of the European University Institute in Florence said Alex Salmond has no right to the UK's hard-won windfall.

The First Minister had claimed the rest of the UK and a newly separate Scotland would share the rebate in the event of independence.

But Professor Closa has become the latest expert to dismiss the idea. 'There is no right to a rebate. It is just something the UK has negotiated,' he said.
Gordon Brown has warned that losing the rebate would cost the Scottish Government £20billion over seven years.


Today's post

Jesus Christ, The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever

I had the privilege to be raised in a Christian Home and had the input of my parents and grandparents into my life, they were ...