Succour
12:10 PM - Posted by Sunchild - 0 comments
While reading Hebrews chapter two this morning, I came across the word "succour" in verse 18 in my King James Bible. While I have been a fervent advocate of my favorite translation and have been reading the KJV since I was a child, I realized that I had never fully understood the meaning of this term, and therefore set out to seek guidance from my Oxford American Dictionary.

It means: "Succour (v.) - To give assistance or aid to."

Upon further investigation, I found that the English word was of Latin origin (although the use of Strong's concordance relates it further back to the Greek word  βοηθέω) and associates it with the word Succursus or Succerrere, which literally means "to run to the aid of."

Applying the meaning from the word its origin, the verse I was reading (Heb. 2:18) says "For in that he [Jesus] hath suffered being tempted, he is able to run to the aid of [succour] them that are tempted."

Though this seems like such a little comment, I find it such powerful imagery to think that our LORD God  incarnate, Savior of the world, "Runs to our aid" when we are tempted. Praise our dread and sovereign God! By whom he will allow nothing to tempt us more than we can bear, and sent to us one who can free us from the chains that hold us captive.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
 Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!



Child's Faith
3:10 AM - Posted by Sunchild - 0 comments
While assisting in the pre-k Sunday school class yesterday, we talked about how God punishes us because he loves us. The teacher asked the children if they had ever been put in time-out for doing something wrong. One little boy raised his hand and said, "Yes! But only once." Impressed, the teacher answered, "Well, you must have really learned your lesson," to which the little boy replied, "No, I just learned my Bible."

What theology God allows children to teach us!


Blessed be the name of the LORD
4:09 PM - Posted by Sunchild - 0 comments
During the last few days, I've had this video stuck in my head. It's the testimony of a man named Zac Smith - a 33 year old male, husband of 11 years, father of 3 kids, battler of Stage IV, terminal colon cancer, and a lover of the Almighty God. He shared his story of how suddenly the cancer came up, the emotional and spiritual agony, the months of chemotherapy, and the one month remission. He told of how the cancer had spread when he went back for his scan, the terminal diagnosis, and the understanding of how good God is in all things. He said that he wanted this video to be a testimony that whether he lived or died, whether he was healed, or whether he had just had his last Christmas with his family, he wanted declare that God is still God, and God is still Good. 

That video has stayed with me so strongly this past year. The faith that this man showed was so similar to that of Job, a man perfect in his ways before the LORD. He was a man who, when tragedy struck, said "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and not receive evil?" (Job 2:10). It was this servant that proclaimed "the LORD gives, and the LORD taketh away, blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21), after his children, his wealth, his friends, and his health, were all taken from him. It was this righteous man, whom, though he knew he had done no wrong, he declared before his coming saviour, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" (Job 13:15).    

It made me write this note in my Bible (which I had also forgotten that I had written until I watched the video again).


Mindset of the Christian Life:

"Whether I live or whether I die, God is still God, and God is still good. Whether I suffer or am happy, God is still God, and God is still good. Whether in sickness or health, times of confusion or faith, His peace and love pass all understanding because we are secure in an omnipotent, sovereign God, with whom catches by surprise, and nothing can take us from His hand. In all things, God is still God, and God is still good - Blessed be the name of the LORD".


May my life, death, faith, love, and joy reflect this strong confidence in God. So that, when it comes to trials and tragedy, I too can announce - "Blessed be the name of the LORD!"




http://vimeo.com/9796056