THE MORNING STAR

Time with Jesus - Wed, 06 February 2013

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about Jesus Christ, the Bright Morning Star. The chorus referred to in the introduction began, “Everybody ought to know, Who Jesus is!” We sang it as a “round”. The girls sang the first words and the boys followed with the same words when the girls finished. I mean girls and boys, because I was little more than a boy when I first heard it. It was electrifying! Suddenly Jesus was no longer a character from the pages of history, although that is true. He became a real. live person to me personally and changed me forever. He is still the Bright Morning Star.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 06 February 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	The Morning Star
How many of us remember the choruses we sang as children? For me there is one or two I remember sketchily. Included in one of them are the words, “He’s the Lily of the Valley, He’s the bright and morning star, He’s the fairest of ten thousand.” I’d love to remember the rest of the words, but each time I try to recall them, I get muddled up with “What a friend we have in Jesus”; which is rather a good place to get muddled! There was a time when the meaning of “He’s the bright and morning star”, puzzled me. Why would He be called the bright and morning star? In the beginning I thought it referred to Venus, the planet that appears just before sunrise; and is sometimes called the morning star. But there is another and perhaps better understanding.  During the night, when we look at the stars, some are brighter than others. Then dawn approaches. One by one, all the stars appear to switch off. They are still there, but we cannot see them, because of the brightness of our sun. Finally, all the stars but one has “switched off”. This one seems to be reluctant to go out. This is the one that is sometimes referred to, as the bright and morning star. What is so attractive about this concept, is to think of all the men and women, who have lived and shone brightly on the stage of life, for many years. Churchill, Napoleon, Julius Caesar. There are many such people. Slowly but surely, in the light of God, they have vanished. Rather like a star that seems to have been switched off. Finally, when all the other stars have disappeared, only one remains; that is the Lord Jesus Christ. During our few brief years on this planet, we tend to follow those whom we regard as stars; pop-stars; rock-stars; popular actors and actresses. Each of them in turn has “shone” in the dark. But the passing of time causes them to lose their brightness and significance. An example that springs to mind is Bing Crosby. Internationally known and recognised during his day, he has faded from the scene and is probably only remembered for “Dreaming of a White Christmas”. Another is Frank Sinatra. A smash hit in the 1950’s & 60’s with a history that precedes WW2. Crooner, actor and leader of the “Rat Pack”, his star is rapidly on the decline. Remembered by many and forgotten by just as many. Names like Roy Rodgers, Myrna Loy, Paulette Godard, Al Jolson and Gertrude Lawrence. All faded stars of yester-year. There is only one real superstar who shines brightly forever. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. Some 2000 years after His crucifixion, His Light still shines as brightly as ever. But it’s not surprising. After all, He is God! He is never too old and always willing to save. Thank You Lord. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to His throne. I am the bright morning star." Rev 22:16 NLT 17 I see someone who is not here now. I look at someone who is not nearby. A star will come from Jacob. A sceptre will rise from Israel. He will crush the heads of the Moabites and destroy all the people of Sheth. Num 24:17 GW 12 The dark night of evil is nearly over. The day of Christ's return is almost here. So let us get rid of the works of darkness. Let us put on the armour of light. Rom 13:12 NIrV 17 "Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether." SoS 2:17 NASB 11 A Message concerning Edom: A voice calls to me from the Seir mountains in Edom, "Night watchman! How long till daybreak? How long will this night last?" 12 The night watchman calls back, "Morning's coming, But for now it's still night. If you ask me again, I'll give the same answer." Isaiah 21:11-12 MSG 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 NLT 28 And I will give him the morning star. Rev 2:28 ESV 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning-- 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." Mar 13:33-37 ESV	Jesus, without question, is the bright and morning star. We look up to the heavens; we can’t see very far. But early in the morning, just at the break of day, It seems as though the heavens are melting far away. An optical illusion is what is taking place. Perhaps we cannot see them, but they are all in space. The stars begin to vanish, with the approach of light; Until there’s one remaining from what was seen all night. The “morning star” we call it. It simply scintillates, As though it is revealing the way to heaven’s gates. It’s just imagination. But many think it’s true. Perhaps it is a reference, O Lord my God, to You? Could it be a parable repeated every day? The stars within our galaxy, keep vanishing away; Like the many “heroes” who have ruled the realms of men. They keep on disappearing and will not shine again. Men like Aristotle, Nero and the Hun. They’ve had their time of brightness and now their time is done. But Jesus is the morning star. He never fades away. And everyone can see Him, just at the break of day. This tells us He is reigning and He will carry on, When all our so called superstars have faded and have gone. The fact we have forgotten? He is the source of light. And even in the darkness He shines, forever bright. He stays within our vision, right to the very end, Because He is the Saviour, on whom we can depend. There’s multitudes of other stars men look upon and serve. But they are unreliable. Perhaps they have the nerve, To try and deviate us from Christ, the only One, Who always will outshine them when they are dead and gone. So let us all take courage and let us face the fact. Jesus is the only One, Who has the power to act; To take us all to dwell where He is shining ever bright. Not only when the sun has set and given place to night; But like a mighty beacon that dominates the sky! The Master of the Universe Who will not ever die. For man can see His brightness, revealed to you and me; Shining in His brilliance for all eternity. Jim Strickland  Written 6th February 2012.