My substitute ( Isaiah 53 )

'On the cross Jesus drank from the cup of God's wrath', Why?well it is in Isaiah 53 we find the answer,in verse 5, we read of the suffering servant who we believe is Jesus being crushed for our iniquities,and then in verse 10, we read,'Yet it was the Lords will to crush him and cause him to suffer'. Those two verses tell us a very profound truth, of  Jesus  who became the sinners substitute, instead of sinner like you and I being punished for our sins, He was. Next we are told in v 10 ,who did the crushing, it was the Lord God, None of this was accidental, no, it was part of Gods plan to save sinners like you and me. This wonderful chapter is all about the great dilemma,facing God, how could He save humanity from the necessary punishment for their sin?,So Christ came and bore  the punishment for our sins..All who trust Jesus will no longer face Gods wrath because of their sin,because Jesus bore it. Accepting Christ means we need not suffer God's wrath, rejecting Christ means we will experience, Gods wrath,In a sense the choice is your's,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Wounded for me, wounded for me,                                                                                                            There on the cross He was wounded for me,                                                                                            Gone my transgressions now I am free,                                                                                                    All because Jesus was wounded for me.

I have had enough. ( Luke 18 v 1 )

I have had enough, I  wonder do you ever feel like that ?,I am sure many do,difficulties with children,and not just the young ones,difficulties in employment,could it be your are a minister?. Do you know who uttered those words, a great prophet, called Elijah.( 1 Kings 19 v 4),not a prophet, surely not, yes a prophet.let me say this, your position as a minister,Christian,pillar of society,does not mean you will not feel  like given up. Stop feeling guilty you are only human,life can to say the least, be difficult at times,it is the nature of human existence.So here we have a great prophet he has had enough, so what does he do he prays,''I have had enough ,Lord'', now he is getting somewhere.You may be saying whats the good of praying,nothing will happen, that is were you are wrong. Elijah's weakness did not hinder his prayer,only sin does that, I leave the following with you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              James 5 v  17 - 18.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed                                                                           earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and                                                                           a half years. Then when he prayed again, the sky sent                                                                             down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

God is faithful . ( Matthew 28 v 16 - 20 )

When one reaches my age, one looks back,and  give thanks for the faithfulness of God,I consider my early spiritual experiences,my going away and my coming from walking with God. None of this pleased God ,then 55 years ago, on Easter Sunday a week before my 20th birthday God in His mercy  restored me.Since then I have by Gods grace followed Him imperfectly,my deeds, my words failed to be consistent with being a Christian,as I often say ,I am a work in progress,and that goes for all God's children. But my loving heavenly Father is faithful,never give up on me,not leaving in my night time experiences,as the hymn puts ,'He is a God of the day, and a God of the night,and a God of the mountains, and a God of the valleys, and He is faithful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Lamentations 3 v 22 - 23 .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,                                                                           for His compassion's never fail. They are new every                                                                                 morning; great is your faithfulness.

The Lord is ( Psalm 121 )

 At a time in Judah's history when they were under threat from Assyria ,Nahum the prophet writes these wonderful and encouraging words..I am not going to comment on them,but would encourage you ,to meditate and memorise  this wonderful promise from God's word.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Nahum 1 v 7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The Lord is good,a refuge in times of                                                                                                        trouble.He cares for those who trust in                                                                                                      Him.

She loves worms ( John 3 v 16 )

I was talking to my neighbour when his little daughter came up with something in her hand,it was worms,her father said ,'she loves worms'.Well  I cant say I love worms but I know they are important in relation to the soil.People love many things,the list is endless, yes even worms, but what about God,? what about people.? As regards people ,some people love their dogs,cars ,and many other things more than people,coming back to God ,he is not even on their list. And yet we owe everything to God,our lives ,the very breath we depend on,Easter comes and Easter goes,proclaiming Gods marvellous love.In spite of  this, God is unloved by the vast number of people, His love rejected ,his presence resented. Yes that child loves worms,but  will she ever love God?, what about you?.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          When I survey the wondrous cross,                                                                                                           On which the Prince of Glory died,                                                                                                           My richest gain I count but loss,                                                                                                               And pour contempt on all my pride.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Forbid it Lord that I should boast,                                                                                                             Save in the Cross of Christ my God;                                                                                                         All the vain things that charm me most,                                                                                                     I sacrifice them to His blood.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         See from His head, His hands, His feet,                                                                                                     Sorrow and love flow mingled down;                                                                                                       Did e'er such love and sorry meet,                                                                                                             Or thorns compose so rich a crown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Were the whole realm of nature mine,                                                                                                        That were an offering far too small;                                                                                                          Love so amazing so divine,                                                                                                                        Demands my soul,my life my all.                                                                                                                  ( Words ...Isaac Watts  )

A Prayer ( Psalm 25 )

                                                           The valley of Vision.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Lord ,High, and Holy, Meek and Lowly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,                                                                                            where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;                                                                              hemmed in by the mountain of sin I behold thy glory.                                                                              Let me learn by paradox,                                                                                                                            that the way down is the way up,                                                                                                              that to be low is to be high,                                                                                                                        that the broken heart is the healed heart,                                                                                                    that the contrite heart is the rejoicing spirit,                                                                                              that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,                                                                                            that to have nothing is to possess all,                                                                                                        that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,                                                                                                that to give is to receive,                                                                                                                            that the valley is the place of vision,                                                                                                          Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,                                                                      and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;                                                                                Let me find thy light in my darkness,                                                                                                        thy life in my death,                                                                                                                                  thy joy in my sorrow,                                                                                                                                thy grace in my sin,                                                                                                                                    thy riches in my poverty                                                                                                                            thy glory in my valley.                                                                                                                                         Amen.                                                                                                                                            (Words....'The valley of Vision  )

The call of God. ( Matthew 11 v 28 )

Let us return to Abraham, and the prayer that we may have the faith of Abraham,and what may that mean. We spoke that it meant obedience, but it also means trust, for we read when  he was called to go out,he obeyed ,even though he did not know where he was going.  ( Hebrews 11 v 8 ).He did not act on his own,no it was in response to a personal call from God,there are many different calls by God,a general call from God as regards salvation. Alas so many do not hear that call, it is not that God is not speaking, it is simply that they are not listening.Every Christmas God is speaking, every Easter God is speaking,every time the see a cross God is speaking. Whither we realise it or not God is speaking,again are we listening?,this has serious consequences,as many will discover.It does not have to be,the choice is ours.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Here the call of His voice so sweet;                                                                                                          Bring your load to the Saviour's feet;                                                                                                        Lean your heart on His loving breast,                                                                                                        Come, O come and He will give you rest.                                                                                                      ( Words ...E. E. Hewitt )

Abraham's faith

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 A  prayer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Bless me with Abraham's faith, that staggers not at                                                                                           promises through unbelief.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    In Jesus name Amen  .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                What is entailed in Abraham's faith,well the first thing we read about it,obedience ,what is the point of faith without obedience .Faith is not just a thing in our minds,no, it must be a reality in our lives. and that  reality is evidenced by obedience.There is no substitute for obedience,what ever we put in its place will be disobedience.During the American civil war  ,for a time one could pay to escape the army and the war,but when it comes to obedience,we cannot pay of God,but  there will be a cost for disobeying God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Testing ( Romans 8 v 29)

R.C.Sproul write the following'', In James 1 v 3,we read that God tempts no one. God may test, but He never tempts to evil. A test is for growth; temptation is for evil'' Testing is for growth, what does that mean?.  Malachi 3 v 3 reads ,''He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, he will purify  the Levites and refine them like God and silver''. The story is told of a girl who went to see silver being refined ,She asked the man refining the silver about the process, he told her he had to keep his eye continually on the silver as it may ruin the the process. She further asked him when did he know the right moment to cease, he replied,''when I can see my image in the silver''.The testing ,trials, serve that same purpose,they are like a fire that's purifying the child of God,the ultimate end of the process will be that Christ image been seen in all His children.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Job 3 v 10.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   But he knows the way that I take; when                                                                                                   he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Are you afraid,frustrated? ( Psalm 23 )

As most people know politically it is all very confusion,the country voted in a referendum to leave the EU, appeared simple enough, just leave. The problem the people voted not the politician's,so when it came to putting it into practise,as the world knows,that's a different  story.So many politicians have different views,some want to stay,I think most of them would like to stay,others want to leave,just walk away from it, other want to leave, but want to have free trade, no tariffs terms.The PM has put forth her plan to leave three time,each time it has been defeated, so the date we were supposed to leave,has been put back again and again.For the population it is frustrating, and for businesses it is all very uncertain. Many are anxious, even fearful as to what the future holds, I myself am a bit concerned, but as a Christian I have to remind myself that God is sovereign,over my countries future,and my future. Everyday I pray for my country,and also the difficulties I may be facing and trust Him,who holds the whole world in His hands.

To die is gain.. ( Philippians 1 v 21 - 26 )

I wonder how many could from their heart say, to die is gain ?, these words were penned by the apostle Paul ,while a Roman prisoner. (  Philippians 1 v 21 ) The full verse reads ,' for to me to live is Christ,and to die is gain''  The apostle was sold out to Christ,He was his consuming passion,he did not have a death wish, no he loved life,and lived it to the full.He did not want to die, but death is inevitable,for Paul death would mean  being with Christ, which he declares was better by far. It is J .Parker who writes the following on the Christians death. ' We have recast Christianity into a mould that stresses happiness above holiness, blessings here above blessings hereafter;health and wealth as God's best gifts, and death ,especially early death,not as a thank worth deliverance from  the miseries of a sinful world, but as the supreme disaster.......Is our Christianity out of shape ?. Yes it is,and the basic reason is that we have lost the two world perspective that views the next life as more importance than this one, and understands life here as essentially preparation and training for the life here after'.

Are we downhearted? ( 2 Corinthians 2 v 14 )

There's a room in a Whitehall basement where Winston Churchill used to meet with the war cabinet during the Second World War. On the wall there was a notice, which was place so that all his colleagues could see it clearly. It was a statement  attributed to Queen Victoria, and it reads as follows; 'Please understand that there is no depression in this house. We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist' It sometimes appears that we who are Christians are under so much pressure,everyday I pray for Christians who are persecuted,in this world ,if it is not persecution it can be the cold hand of secularism, eroding the Christian church's standing,so call  followers of Christ, undermining the church's credability. .Yet in spite of this and many other factors ,there is no possibility of defeat,because of Christs death and resurrection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Because of Jesus, victory is assured.

God is Sovereign. ( Isaiah 40 v 10 )

One of the great truths that gripped me as a young believer was the sovereignty of God, Pinks book on the sovereignty was very helpful. A. Motyer writes that God is the,' Mover of History', and John Calvin wrote,'Wars are not stirred up at random , but by the secret influence of God'. Baker comments,'Yahweh is sovereign in the history of the entire world, and freely exercises His will therein'. The fact is if God is  not sovereign then He is not God, Gordon Bridger gives the  scriptures in relation to Gods sovereignty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Lord exercise divine government over the universe at large.                                                                                              Psalm 103 v 19                                                                                                        The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and His kingdom                                                    rules over all.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Over the physical world.                                                                                                                                                                Psalm 104 v 14.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Over the affairs of the nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Job 22 v 28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               For dominion belongs to the Lord ,and he rules over the nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Over individuals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Luke 1 v 52.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,and lifted up                                                        the lowly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Most of this I gleaned from Gordon Bridger                                                                                            in his book on three of the minor prophets in                                                                                            'The Bible speaks today' series.

Without Him ( Ephesians 2 v 12 )

                                               How great are my privileges in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Without Him I stand far off, a stranger, an outcast ;                                                                                   in Him I draw near and touch his kingly sceptre.                                                                                     Without Him I dare not lift my guilty eyes;                                                                                               in him I gaze upon my Father God and Friend.                                                                                         Without Him I   hide my lips in trembling shame;                                                                                      in Him I open my mouth in petition and praise.                                                                                        Without Him all is wrath and consuming fire;                                                                                           in Him  is all love, and the repose of my soul.                                                                                           Without Him is gaping hell below me, and eternal anguish;                                                                     in Him its gates are barred to me by his precious blood.                                                                           Without Him darkness spreads its horrors in front;                                                                                   in Him an eternity of glory is my boundless horizon.                                                                               Without Him all within me is terror and dismay,                                                                                       in Him every accusation is charmed into joy and peace.                                                                           Without Him all things external call for my condemnation;                                                                     in Him they minister to my comfort,                                                                                                         and are to be enjoyed with thanksgiving.                                                                                                   Praise be to Thee for grace,                                                                                                                       and for  the unspeakable gift of Jesus.                                                                                                       (Words from ,'The valley of  vision )
                                             

Don't leave it to late. ( 2 Corinthians 6 v 2 )

I read this recently as regards our Saviour and the prophets, that preached for a verdict, what sort of verdict, that of repentance.,The greatest example of this was the people of Nineveh,the place were Jonah was told by God  to go and proclaim  that because of their wickedness they would be judged by a holy God.When they heard this, the whole city, from the king downwards believed God and turned from their sin.The result was they were spared by God, yes they turned from their sin to God.Sin is a dirty word in these days,but no matter how much we don't like it, the fact is we are sinners by  nature, and by practise. One has said this is a moral universe, those morals God has set up, and when we ignore them , we sin, and that has consequences, severe consequences. unforgiven sin will bring us into judgement,it bars us from a relationship with God,it bars us from going to heaven, and will take us to hell.Are you involved in sexual immorality?,are you a thief?,are you dirty minded?, and filthy of speech?.One has said we live in the age of ' cover up',when we lie and cheat,and deceive,well here is a serious word for you,be sure your sin will find you out,  (Numbers 32 v 23)  When it does ,God will pass judgement on you, and will condemn you to Hell,before that happens you have time to escape that judgement, by turning from your sin,and believe in Jesus for  forgiveness .

Gone to her reward. ( 2 Timothy 4 v 6 - 8 )

A dear friend has passed away,her loss will be felt by many,especially her family.she was not born in this land,she came from Sri Lanka, a place were many Christians suffer in many ways. She was  a faithful Christian who served her God and Saviour.for her it could be said, that she had fought a good fight,she had finished the race,and had kept the faith, but it does not stop there, for we are told that she  will receive a reward, a crown of righteousness, from the Lord of righteousness.My friend did not earn salvation, it is impossible to do that.salvation is a gift,with no merits of ours attached to it. A life of righteousness and faithfulness will be rewarded,when the Christian stands in the Saviours wonderful presence.That is now the experience of my dear friend,who will hear from her Saviour the words, well done good and faithful servant.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Face to face with Christ my Saviour                                                                                                         Face to face what will it be ?                                                                                                                     When with rapture I behold Him,                                                                                                                Jesus Christ who died for me.                                                                                                                           ( Mrs. Frank. A.Beck   )

Truth matters ( Jude 3 )

In our desire to be big hearted  and non -controversial, and of course we do not want to be seen as an unloving person, we identify with those who do not hold to the truth. Consider why is truth important so important that many have been prepared to die for it?.Continually in the Bible error is challenged, error as regards ,the person of God, the person of Christ,the person of the Holy Spirit,the work of  salvation.  How many people believe they do not need Christ to be saved. Many people speak of being ecumenical ,which means all - embracing and all inclusive.They would tell us that all who name the name Christ, should be one,remember the Mormons, JW,s would say they are Christian, but they are not.Remember as Christians we are to hold to the truth of Gods ,the whole truth,and nothing but the truth,so help us God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Barry Webb.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      There is a false tolerance, just as there is a false tolerance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Pay twice ( Galatians 6 v 14 )

I received a gift token that entitled me to go to the cinema,so I took advantage and  went to see Dumbo the elephant with the big ears that enabled it to fly. When I ordered my ticket, there was a problem taking the sum required of the gift card,and was asked had I any money to pay for my  ticket.I challenged what I was asked to do, no I'm not paying twice,I stood my ground, so he tried the gift  card again and it worked.It reminded me of  the words in Romans 6 v 23, ''the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.'' Salvation is a gift, it is very simple,but for some, they insist that we must do something to be saved,good works,religious rules,etc.Like the young at the cinema who asked for me to pay when all the time I had a gift token ,that entitled me to see that movie. They think God is like that ,that He is demanding from  us an extra something,but this is not so. When Christ died on the cross He paid the necessary price for our salvation.and all we have to do is trust Jesus as our Saviour, nothing else,having  done that by His grace, we receive eternal life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Ephesians  2 v 8 - 9.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 For it is by grace you have been saved, through                                                                                       faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift                                                                                         of  God, not of works, so that no one can boast.

The Cross ( 1 Corinthians 1 v 18 )

I am told that the Roman soldiers carried I'm not sure were they carried it,a sign of the cross, nothing to do with Christianity,it was a threat to any one who would dare oppose them ,that they would be crucified. It was considered the worst kind of death,a Roman citizen would not have been crucified.Yet it just like our great God who would transform the cruel instrument of death and transform it into a symbol of hope. I wear a little cross as a sign of hope, Leon Morris wrote the following, ''The cross is the focus of the Christian faith.He who understands the Cross aright, wrote Emil Brunner, ''understands the Bible- he understands Jesus Christ,'' Without the cross there would be no Christian faith, for the Christian salvation was won by Christ's atoning work''  Let me just add to that and say without the cross there would be no hope for the world, that includes you and me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,                                                                                           The emblem of suffering and shame;                                                                                                         And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,                                                                               For a world of lost sinners was slain.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             O,the old rugged cross,so despised by the world,                                                                                     Has a wondrous attraction for me,                                                                                                             For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,                                                                                       To bear it to dark Calvary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              In the old rugged cross ,stained with blood so divine,                                                                              a wondrous beauty I see;                                                                                                                            For ' twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died                                                                                  to pardon and sanctify me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,                                                                                                 Its shame and reproach gladly bear;                                                                                                           Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,                                                                                  When His glory for ever I'll share.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 So I 'll cherish the old rugged cross,                                                                                                         Till my trophies, at last I lay down;                                                                                                            I will cling to the old rugged cross,                                                                                                            and exchange it some day for a crown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (  Words, George Benhard )

Self . ( Galatians 2 v 20 )

An Olympian athlete was devastated when she discovered she was pregnant. As an athlete, she is by her own admission,''selfish'',but with her first child due in August,soon she won't be able to put herself first. So read the article,I found it interesting and challenging, it is Selwyn Hughes who write about the problem  of self in one of his daily readings.Self,self, self, it read and he quoted 2 Cor 4 v 15,  ''And He died for all,that those who live should no linger live for themselves,but for Him who died for them''.I will share a few things that he wrote,'' Human fallenness  is basically human selfishness'',''In the centre of the word 'Sin',is the letter 'I''.'''Self in our hands is a pain; in God's hands  it is a possibility''.                                                                                                                                                                                             Matthew 22 v 36 - 40                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Teacher which is the greatest commandment in                                                                                          the law.Jesus replied; 'Love the Lord your God                                                                                        with all your heart and with all your soul and                                                                                            with all your mind. This is first and greatest                                                                                              commandment. And the second is like it; Love                                                                                        your neighbour as yourself'.All the law and the                                                                                        prophets hang on these two commandments.''