Stolen waters ( Romans 6 v 23 )

In Proverbs 9 v 17 - 18, we read ,'Stolen water is sweet, food eaten in secret is delicious. But little do they know that the dead are there'.The context of these verses are in relation to a person being enticed by a loose woman, the verses we read points out the folly of  yielding to this temptation/. The comments from one of my commentaries , reads,'The harlot appeals to this depraved instinct in man....But she doesn't tell them the other side of the story.'.Let us always remember there is a price in relation to sin,one cannot touch fire without being burnt'. A very popular French song of the past century reads,'Love's pleasure lasts only for a night; Loves chagrin ( Shame ) lasts for lifetime'.Much of what we watch on T V, in movies etc,don't show  the consequences  of those stolen waters,again let me stress there will always be consequences, all sin is an affront to God,unforgiven  sin has awful eternal consequences,plus the pain in the here and  now.

A prayer (Romans 12 v 1- 2 )

I leave some lines from a prayer I have  prayed, called .Morning Dedication,''Almighty God,As I cross the threshold of this day,I commit myself,soul, body,affairs, friends, to Thy care.Watch over,keep, guide,direct,sanctify, bless me,Incline my heart to thy ways. Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus.May I view all things in the mirror of eternity,waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call., May I speak each .word as if my last word. and walk each step as      my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day. Amen.

blessed. ( Hebrews 12 v 2 - 3 )

'Blessed are those who are persecuted because of  righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ' ( Matthew 5 v 10 )  Isaiah ,Jeremiah,Daniel,Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego,Stephen,Paul, Peter, Tyndale,Vahid, Benhnam,Mohammed, Alireza, and millions more could be added to this list. The question is what have they all got in common,they are those souls that have been persecuted for righteousness sake.In Luke 6 v 23, our Saviour tells us when we are persecuted for righteousness sake,'Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because  great is your reward in heaven. For this is how their fathers treated the prophets'.For whatever reason I have never been persecuted,it may come,God knows,but the fact is this world has never been a friend  of the church of Christ,and never will be,we should never be surprised at Christians being persecuted. It may sound strange when our Saviour tells us to rejoice and leap for joy,how can one do that,how did Paul and Silas sing and praise God when they were thrown into prison after being beaten,?.The reason was,the future glory,spoken of as a reward by Jesus.Let us remember ,whatever we may be suffering ,whatever persecutions we may be enduring it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

Blessed ( Jude 3 )

'Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God',  (Matthew 5 v 9 )Last time we consider how God the peacemaker made it possible for humanity to know Him ,through Jesus dying on the cross.  Now let us consider what it means for those who are Christians to be  peacemakers,now of course it does not mean peace at any price,peace. Someone has said it is not appeasement ,it is Christians seeking to live at peace with our neighbours, our families, and especially in our churches.I know a brother who is dreadfully concerned about the leader of the church he attends,who would profess to be an evangelical but is not,what should he do?. Some have advised leaving,but he does not feel he can do this at this time. does he stir up animosity? . When the reformation came in ,Luther did not go along with those who  sought to overthrow those in authority. My friend wants to be a peacemaker,as all Gods children should be, may God help us all and grant unto  us the wisdom and the grace we need in every situation to be a peacemaker..

Blessed ( Romans 15 v 33 )

' Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God'  ( Matthew 5 v 9 )God is the great peacemaker, mankind is both at war with each other and with God. Look at the history of the 20th century awful beyond words to describe, ever since Cain killed his brother Able  ( Genesis 4  ) the world has been like a slaughter house . What about God ?, well the following scripture tells us clearly man kinds attitude towards Him,no one seeks God,(Romans 3 v  11)  There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Rom 3 v 18 ) ,Ungodly ( Romans 5 v 6 ) Sinners  Rom 3 v 23 ), The cross shows the terrible animosity towards God, and yet that very cross was the supreme act of God,in making , peace ,in enabling mankind to be reconciled  to God ( Colossians 1  v 20 ) We read in Romans 5 v 1, Therefore since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ' We will go on to look at  what it means for those who are peacemakers next time.

Blessed ( Jeremiah 29 v 13 )

 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God'  ( Matthew 5 v 8 )  It was the old prophet Samuel who was told something very important when he was sent to anoint a new king,'' The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart''.Luther wrote,'Christ...wants us to have a pure heart,though outwardly a person may be a drudge in the kitchen,black sooty, and grimy, doing all sorts of dirty work, Again, ''Though a common labourer, a shoemaker or a blacksmith may be dirty and sooty or may smell because he is covered with dirt and pitch......and though he stinks outwardly,inwardly  he is pure incense before God because he ponders the word of God and obeys it''.

Blessed. ( Ephesians 2 v 1 - 5 )

'Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy',  ( Matthew 5 v 7 ) God is merciful,the fact that mankind is still in existence is evident of His mercy. John Stott ,writes ,'Of course the world( at least when it is true to its own nature) is unmerciful, as indeed also the church in its worldliness has often been. The world prefers to insulate itself against the pains and calamities of men. It finds revenge delicious, and forgiveness, by comparison ,tame.'The Nazi's never showed mercy, and they reaped a dreadful price when the Russians invaded Germany.In Judges one we read of a king called     Adoni Bezek armies were defeated by Israel,and he was captured, they cut off his thumbs and big toes.That may have appeared cruel ,but then we read of him confessing how he captured  seventy kings,and had their toes and thumbs cut off. In the OT we have a wonderful story of David showing mercy to Saul's grandson,Saul who became Davids persecutor  (2 Samuel 9 )Let us who have received Mercy from God,remember to show mercy, and we will be blessed.Shakespeare wrote as regards mercy,' It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes'.

Blessed ( Isaiah 26 v 9 )

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness ,for they will be filled.'  ( Matthew 5 v 6 ) Now let me make it clear that these words are spoken to those who are not in anyway trying to establish their own righteousness.It is John Stott who points out that the Jews sought to establish their acceptance by with God by  their own efforts CP Romans 9 v 30 -10 v 4 )The righteousness that saves anyone is the righteousness of Christ,and that alone.Those who have come to trust in Jesus will have a burning desire ,as one writer puts it,'they have passion for righteousness in their own lives, they long to be honest, people of integrity,purity,a thirst to be like Christ.As Luther wrote,'What is required,..is a hunger and thirst for righteousness that can never be curbed or stopped or sated,one that looks for nothing and cares for nothing except the accomplishment and maintenance of the right,  despising everything that hinders that end. If you cannot  make the world pious,then do what you can'.

Blessed ( Matthew 21 v 5 )

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  (Matthew 5 v 5 ) According to Cruden's concordance the word meek's meaning is as follows ,'Gentle,kind,not easily provoked,'and so the list goes on. It was Jesus who described Himself as being meek and lowly of heart (Matthew 11 v 29 ) It is the apostle who wrote of the'meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10 v 1).Let us remember that Christs life was not one  of  seclusion and isolation,but a life facing  difficulties.Often  entertainment shows their hero's as avenging angles,but Jesus came into this as a weak child,and he left it as a weak individual on a cross. ( 2 Corinthians 13 v 4 )During His earthly ministry he choose the path of meekness,dealing with those who opposed him not in fire and brimstone,but with words of kindness,displaying a godly spirit of meekness.As we His followers,follow in His footsteps may God  enable us to remember,that we shall inherit the earth as we walk the path of meekness.










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Blessed ( Galatians 5 v 16 - 18 )

Blessed are those who morn,for  they shall, be comforted,' ( Matthew 5 v 4 ) We have considered mourning for others now there is mourning or weeping for our sins,Although I am accepted by God through Christ and His righteousness, ( 1 Corinthians 1 v 30 ),we are still in this body of flesh,that means we still have a sinful nature ( Romans 7 v 25 ). , Paul the apostle writes, 'I know that nothing good lives in me, that is in my sinful nature ( Romans 7 v 18 ), I often find myself saying, why do such thoughts come into my mind ?,  it causes me great sadness,and I cry unto God, and He comforts me by reminding me, that it is He who justifies,and even though self and satan may condemn, Christ has died, and that no one can lay any charge to Gods elect.( Romans 8 v 13 ).He also reminds me,that one day in heaven I will be where sin will bother me no more.

Blessed ( Matthew 19 v 41 )

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted',It is John Stott who says that these words could almost be translated,'Happy are the unhappy'.We often would apply these words to those who have been bereaved,but in actual fact it is do with our attitude to sin.A neighbour told me how when in a local supermarket on her own, a man came and whispered unpleasant things to her,she was so afraid she immediately left the supermarket and went home. As I hear things like that it makes me so sad,and it causes to mourn, make no mistake, we live in a fallen world. Instead of judging we should be weeping and praying,and witnessing ,that people would repent and seek forgiveness, and trust Jesus as their Saviour. J.S writes'The truth is that there are such things as Christian tears, and too few of us ever weep them'.

Blessed ( Matthew 5 v 3 / 10 )

'For theirs is the kingdom of heaven,'  ( Matthew 5 v 3 / 10 ) This phrase is mentioned twice,and reminds us of a future inheritance . In  Philippians 3 v 20,we are told that our citizenship is in heaven,now that reminds us of our final destination ,that is, those who have trusted Jesus. It is Thomas Watson who writes,''All Christs subjects are kings, ....so the saints after death have their crown-royal.'Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life' (Revelation 2 v 10 )Unlike earthly kingdoms the kingdom of heaven is not temporal but eternal,we shall reign with Christ for ever and ever .(Revelation 22 v 5 ) ,it is a kingdom that shall never be shaken, or destroyed .It is a kingdom of grace, for no one can merit it,unlike the honours list,in which people are awarded titles because of their service,all who enter this kingdom,receive entrance into to it  by the grace of God alone.We have so much to look forward to,as Thomas Watson wrote'',Be comforted with thoughts of a kingdom'.

Blessed ( Matthew 5 v 3 - 11)

Let us consider the blessed from  Matthew 5 v 3 - 11   ,so let us consider the first one ,'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven'.Many people interpret blessed as simple happy.I think John Stotts explanation is the one that is the most satisfying,'' It is seriously misleading to render the Greek word used  for blessed as happy. For happiness is a subjective state, whereas Jesus is making an objective judgement about these people. He is declaring not what they may feel like, ( 'happy'), but what God thinks of them and what on that account they are 'blessed'. In other words all that follows in being blessed, makes all the difference in their lives.

Blessed. ( Matthew 5 v 3 - 11 )

'Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' Now note the words ,'poor in spirit'  this has nothing to do with being poor materially.It is referring to our spiritual bankruptcy. Pride is a sin,because it refuses to acknowledge our desperate sinful condition,it blinds us,to the fact that our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked.  (Jeremiah  17 v 19 )No one will come into the blessing of salvation, that blessed state until the cry out ,'God be merciful to me a sinner' (Luke 18 v 13 ).It is when you do acknowledge your sinfulness and trust Jesus, can you gain entrance in the kingdom of heaven'.Dr. Martyn Lloyd- Jones ,writes ,''If one feels anything in the presence of God save an utter poverty of spirit,it ultimately means that you have never faced Him.That is the meaning of this Beatitude.''

Soul prosperity ( 1 Thessalonians 5 v 23 - 24 )

An old saint prayed, Lord,may I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers, or that I am rich unless rich toward Thee''. When one considers those whom the Bible calls blessed ,the poor in spirit,those who mourn,the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,the merciful,the pure in heart,the peacemakers,those who are persecute for righteousness sake.  ( Matthew 5 v  3 ff ) What a difference from the worlds standards,when we manifest those qualities, our souls will prosper, and we shall be  blessed.

Jesus loves the little children. ( Matthew 19 v 14 )

There is a lovely lady in Zambia called Annie Sheba ,she heads up a ministry  to children,which is called, 'Renewed Hope Children's Village',there many children find a place of love,peace,joy,dignity,   security,and hope for a bright tomorrow.Most of the children have suffered to some degree ,the loss of one or both parents,sickness,hunger,abuse,neglect.  These children are prayed for,and they hear about Jesus,so for them the future is bright,a favourite song the children sing is a song with the following words,'Yahweh, you have brought me from afar that I can't comprehend ; I was left for dead, despised,rejected, insulted and abused; but you have raised me up, bathed ,cleansed,and clothed me,  Hallelujah'.

Making a decision. ( Isaiah 55 v 6 - 7 )

If my memory serves me right ,when Billy Graham preached he would end by him  inviting people to get up of their seats and make their way down to the front.It was decision time.That decision would transform their lives,they would never be the same again,they would be changed.That decision would change their destiny ,no longer on the road to nowhere, no longer on the road  to hell,but a road that would take them to HEAVEN. And it all begins when they make a decision to trust Jesus as their Saviour.

Consider. ( John 3 v 16 )

While I was witnessing to a person I tried to  point out , the significance of the awful suffering of the cross and how it shows the seriousness of sin.Most people do not consider the seriousness of sin,God does ,and it is only when the  Spirit of God,convicts a person of their sin do they in some degree see sins seriousness. ( John 16 v 8 ). When I was very young I attended a Children's meeting,the speaker stressed sin and its consequences so  I trusted Christ. Sins terribleness needed the cross,which could be classed as an altar,and the only answer for salvation.It meant Christ suffering in the most evil way, at the hands of evil people,and suffering at the hands of God.Christ the sinless one would do something that no one else could do,He would bear the punishment for sin , not His, for He was sinless,no the  punishment for the sins of others.This punishment was so awful so severe there are not words to describe it ,but the result is ,all those who trust Him need never suffer the consequences for there sin, that means they need never go to hell,but it also means they will go to heaven. .

Different ( Matthew 6 v 8 )

In an attempt to be appear normal ,many churches and individual Christians  do all they can to look like the non believers,in other words not to appear different.John Stott, writes,''The followers of Jesus are to be different- different from both the nominal church and the secular world,different from  both the religious and the irreligious.'' He highlights the following,''ethical standards,religious devotion , attitude to money,ambition, life style and network of relationships- all of which are totally at variance with those of the non-Christian world.''

Confusion ( Acts 4 v 19 )

There is so much confusion in the world, men marrying men,women marrying women,of course this  is societies way of looking at these things. A well known Christian said that he was a citizen of another kingdom ,a kingdom that was ruled by king Jesus.That means while he is a citizen of a certain country he will seek to obey the laws of that country,he is also called to obey the rule of God his king.What that means is, that when he asked by that society we live in, to accept things that are contrary to Gods kingdom, he is called to say no..

The gamblers. ( Isaiah 55 v 6 )

I witnessed recently to a man who did not believe in God,and so he said when you are dead that's it,I mentioned Heaven and hell. I went on to say to him,'just say there is a heaven and a hell ,what then?. There is concern about gambling in our country,because of the harm it does  to so many people,the people who run the gambling are complaining, because of changes the government are bringing in  ,.It is often said , and rightly so, that gambling is a mugs game, yes it is,when you consider how much people loose.But there is another type of gambling,and it involves people foolishly having no regards for their souls.Jesus said ,''What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul.  ''( Matthew 16 v 26 ), I ask you ,will it be worth it?''

First car ( Acts 16 v 31 )

I suppose most people remember their first car,mine was an old Morris Minor, a car that was very popular ,over one million of them were bought. They were a very basic little car,and of course most cars were basic at that time.Modern cars are complicated beasts,I could have carried out some repairs on my Morris Minor,but not with my present car.Modern cars are better more reliable,comfortable,but having said that, I was very  grateful for that little MM, I travelled many miles in it,yes it was basic . Basic is not a bad thing,when it comes to biblical truth, the basics are vital,yet today I rarely hear the basics preached in my church, sad but true. People are not challenged to get saved,they are not clearly told that they are sinners,as we all are,oh no somehow that they will become a Christian. I trusted Jesus as a Child ,I remember it so well. The Children's speaker stressed the destructiveness of sin,so I accepted Christ,I thank God for the preacher who told forth the basics.

Nothing ( Ephesians 3 v 20 )

There are so many things we can do nothing to change,people who  can give us great concern,people who are not saved,when I say we can do nothing,in spite of this,we can pray, Let me stress that again we can pray, not as a last resort,but as our first port of call.Nothing or no one is  beyond Gods ability to help, to change,to convert,,so let us not despair. Here is what Jeremiah prayed, 'Ah, Sovereign Lord,you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is to hard for you'  ( Jeremiah 32 v 17 )

Yesterdays man.( Revelation 3 v 20 )

Most of us are familiar with the term ,'has been,' denoting a persons fall, from what they once were,in a sense it is not a very complimentary term to be used of any one. As one reads the history of Israel so often there leaders,politically ,and of most of the population, turned out to be 'has been's',.I am just finishing a study of Nehemiah,now it could never be said of him, that he was a has been.,no he is seen as faithful consistent leader and man of God. He was Governor of Jerusalem appointed by a Persian King,he had many difficulties to face,he had enemies without,which he dealt  with.He sought to put the people on a sound spiritual footing, and it appears he had succeeded in doing so.But at times he had to report back to the king,and when he returned the situation had deteriorated .They became, 'has been's'. they were not what they once where ,it is Raymond Brown who writes,' that  individuals change ,and so can churches',and even godly nations.We may say of our country we are a Christian, country,but alas that's no longer reality.I pray for a number of people who are,' has been's', as regards their walk with Christ,it need not be that way,God can restore ,yes, even the,' has been's'  .

How great is our God . ( Isaiah 40 )

How great is our God?Raymond Brown writes the following , 'God is unique,God is attentive, He is righteous,He is powerful,He is holy, He is sovereign, He is unfailing.'Much more could be said about our great God, He is indescribable,He is a great God,who encourages us to look to Him ,to have confidence in Him, to trust in Him and all that He is. Human beings are created ,limited.Not so so God,read of one who not only made all things but sustains all thing,and that in Him we live and move and have our being ( Acts 17 v 2 8 ),our every breath is in His hands.Let us raise our sights  beyond the power of nature,of man, and even ourselves.Why? because God is greater than all, power belongs  unto God.Let us fix our eyes on our great God,let us start by looking beyond ourselves,but not beyond our great God.Read that wonderful chapter in Isaiah ,chapter 40,and heed verse 10 which reads,'So do not fear, for I  am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God'.

Erosion (1 Kings 3 v 9 )

I  was struck by what I read recently,by Raymond  Brown, I wonder what you think of it,''Every believer needs a greater sensitivity to sin. All to easily, the ugly thing gradually becomes tolerated,even viewed as the possibly useful thing,and finally the attractive thing. It does not happen in a moment. Standards are lowered gradually and imperceptibly . Sin becomes known by another name. We accommodate at one stage of life things which earlier would have been totally unacceptable. ''I want you think about what I have written, and how it applies to you, and to the society you live in and the church you attend.

God is in control. ( 1 Corinthians 1 v 26 - 29 )

I remember listening to a well known minister whose ministry God had wonderfully blessed,as regards his conversion,he had attended a  number of meetings at a Gospel campaign,and he was the only person who got saved. CH Spurgeon was saved one wintry Sunday morning, the man who spoke was not a preacher,but God used him to bring him into His kingdom .Likewise D.L.Moody was used to bring many thousands to Christ , he was saved through the ministry of a man who was no preacher. Who knows God at this time may in some Gospel meeting or service, may use someone very unqualified to preach, and a Moody,Spurgeon,Billy Graham,etc will come forth. God is sovereign He uses whom He will to accomplish His plans.and He will save whom He will,and He will receive all the glory

Ad on. ( 1 Corinthians 1 v 1 7 )

The question we could ask has baptism replaced circumcision?,the answer is no, is baptism necessary for salvation? the answer is no.I have already pointed out that we are saved by faith.The most obvious answer is the dying thief,unbaptised went straight to heaven. Many Christians believe that the Lords table, and baptism are sacraments,and one receives grace from them,I do not hold to this,the Lords table is a remembrance occasion ,baptism is but a declaration of us dying with Christ and rising in newness of life,it is a confession of our faith,nothing else.In our baptism we are declaring that we have died to our old life and now living in newness of life.The symbols of our are faith are just that, nothing else,important though they are,I regularly partake of the Lords table,and I have been baptised,but I was saved as a youngster in a Children's meeting baptism eventually followed.Consider many people have deathbed conversions,and die unbaptised,yet go straight to heaven,to make baptism essential to our salvation,is contrary to the word of God.

Ad on ( John 3 v 16 )

The  simplicity of the Gospel is wonderful,the sinner seeks forgiveness by believing,the man who cried out to the apostles,''Sirs, what must I do be saved? was''Believe on the Lord Jesus,and you will be saved'' ( Acts 16 v 31 ). In Ephesians 2 v 8 ,we read,'For by Grace are you saved, through faith, and not from yourselves,it is the gift of God'.Now there is a vast amount of scriptures that stress this simple truth,but unfortunately the church from day one had to contend with those differ with this,they are those who desire  to ad on an extra something if we are to be saved.In the early church it was circumcision,read the epistle to the Galatians.The Roman Catholic church has opposed salvation by faith,stressing good works,in spite of the scriptures clearing teaching that  works are but evidence of salvation not the bases.( C P  James 2 v 18) I will continue this, next time.