The Coffee Cup

Earlier this week a team member had an offsite visit and asked if anyone wanted coffee when they returned.  One member said 'A small coffee would be great', which in turn the offsite team member returned with this:

The cup is only 7cm high - a very small coffee.

After much hilarity, a challenge was issued to give the story of Christmas through the humble coffee cup.  The following was compiled....enjoy!

 The cup itself has the following symbols:

• Just as our Lord was born in a manger filled with hay in a stable filled with animals rather than a palace and much opulence, this cup came from a small coffee store far removed from the hustle and bustle of the “Big City.”
• The logo is a coffee bean encircled with gold and crowned off with a gold crown which is formed with 3 points:

• The bean represents earth and all that that entails – nature, the laws governing creation.
• The gold represents the gifts brought at Jesus' birth.  Gold represents prosperity, that all needs are met and lack is non-existent.  Jesus is the King of the earth, bearing complete authority over all the matters of earth.  No power, government or principality can stand for His Name prevails on earth, above earth and below.
• The crown points to His Kingly heritage and the three points are symbolic of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The gold represents that he is able to richly supply all my needs, that I have been given everything I need for life and godliness.

• When purchased the cup is full - our God came that we may have life and life to the full, John 10:10. Just as Jesus was a fountain of living water springing up into eternal life, so this cup symbolically holds water.

• The contents are consumed - Jesus emptied Himself daily for us so that we could enjoy what God has gifted to us - eternal life. Just as this cup didn’t come for its own pleasure but for the benefit of another, so Jesus didn’t come to earth for a holiday but to seek and save those who had been lost.

• Just as our Lord didn’t come with much fanfare and introduction, this cup is small and unassuming. Whoever this cup came to was richly blessed and left a lasting impression – whenever anyone meets Jesus Christ, he leaves such an impression that they are never the same again.

It is through him that we are able to live, to do what we do, and to be who we are (Acts 17:28 ERV) – that others may know the Life that we have in Jesus Christ.
During the upcoming break, why not put this challenge to your family and friends and see what everyday articles can be symbolic of the story of Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Bible League Team

.Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au

Need for Bibles following Typhoon Bopha

Typhoon Bopha struck Mindanao Island in the Southern Philippines on 4 December causing catastrophic damage. Only now, weeks later, is the full extent of the damage emerging. Whole town and villages were flattened as hurricane-force winds brought torrential rain that triggered floods and landslides. 

 

Over 1,600 people lost their lives. Many were fisherman lost at sea or poor migrant workers who worked on landslide prone banana plantations or in the many unregulated gold mines common in the region.

It has been estimated that more than 310,000 people are homeless – having lost all they own.

While food and emergency supplies are being rushed into the area there is also another deeper spiritual need that requires an urgent response. Bible League Philippines is on the ground in the worst hit areas reaching out with God’s Love through His Living Word bringing true hope and assurance to those whose lives and security have been shattered.

During food and clothing distributions Bible League is able to provide Bibles in the heart language of the people. During one such distribution a lady responded – “Sir, even just a Bible is enough for me”. When given a Bible she embraced it. An old man after receiving his copy kissed the Bible with great joy despite the devastation around him. The stock of Bibles held by Bible League Philippines is now exhausted and they desperately need more Bibles to fill the spiritual need of the people of Mindanao Island. 

Donations will help Bible League meet this urgent need for Bibles in the Philippines.  

Thank you for your prayers and gifts that bring much blessing to the people of Mindanao Island.

Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au

Ponder Moment

No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father.     John 1:18 (ERV)

Has there ever been a time where you heard about someone before you actually met them and when you finally had the opportunity to meet them, they were nothing like the picture you had in your mind?

This is what John is writing about here, that people before had heard about God, but they had never met him.  The original word also carries the meaning experience.  In other words, people before this time may have heard about God, or seen miracles and wonders, but they still hadn’t experienced him.

The verse above says that Jesus came to declare him or, in other words, he came to introduce us to the Creator of the Universe.  At Bible League, we are passionate about accomplishing this ministry that has been passed on to us; to introduce those in our world to the Creator so that they may experience the life that he has for them.  This, too, is why we are so excited to partner with people around the world in order to fulfil this great call.

Today, walk knowing that you have the ability to introduce people in your world to God; exhibit His Life in all that you do so that all may experience what the life of a Christian is all about.

Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au

Word of God Unveiled

Friday morning in the souq (commercial area of a Libyan city) was Shatha’s time for shopping. She wanted to buy olive oil, dates, and a new green hijab (headscarf worn by Muslim women in the Middle East). Relentless sunlight made it another hot, dry day. Red dirt swirled around her feet as she walked between buildings on a side street.
She reached her favourite merchant’s shop and was deciding on a purchase when she noticed a woman carrying a black book. They left the shop at the same time, and Shatha shyly greeted her. The woman, named Fatin, returned the greeting as they walked together. When they came to a quiet area behind a building, Shatha boldly asked Fatin about the book she carried. Fatin showed it to her and told her it was a Bible.

Shatha was so excited. She told Fatin that she had heard about the Bible, but had never seen one. Fatin made sure to let Shatha know that the Bible was especially for her because it had been translated into Arabic, Shatha’s heart language. Fatin quickly turned to her favourite verse, John 3:16, and read it to Shatha quietly. Before anyone noticed their conversation, Shatha bravely asked if she could have the Bible. Fatin gave it to her, and she quickly hid it in her bag. As they parted, Fatin promised that they would study the Bible together whenever possible. Please pray that Shatha’s life will be transformed by the power of the Gospel.

Bible League is committed to serve local churches and our partners around the world to provide Bibles and Scripture materials for them to use in their ministry of helping people meet Jesus Christ.  With your help, more people like Shatha can come to know Jesus.

Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au