Darkness and Light .( John 3 v 35-36)

 December is a very dull month,not a lot of sunshine,but as it is December it is time  when many homes have string  of lights displayed outside their homes,I think they are great, also in most homes there are Christmas trees with lights on them. All these light displays help to chase away the gloom of this gloomy months. But of course this is the month in which we celebate the birth of Jesus, why did He have to come?,well our Saviour gives us the answer,'people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil .Everyone  who does evil hates the light , and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. (John 3 v19-20) They displayed that evil in all its fulness when they took Him who is the light of the world and nailed Him to a cross,hoping to extinguish the light,so they could remain in their darkness,but they didn't succeed.We thank God for that, for it obvious that humanity needs Him who is light of the world more than ever.There are so many false religions,and false prophets who are giving birth to 'Satan's spawn'', committing the most awful evil.We may not commit awful evil,but we are still sinners,failing to embrace Him who is the light of the world our Saviour , who said the following,

                                                      ' I am the light of the world.

                                                       Whoever follows me will

                                                        never walk in darkness,but

                                                         will have the light of life'

                                                                John 8 v 12

Be prepared. ( Matthew 24 v36-51)

 A  Christian minister has published a booklet called,'How to Prepare for Christ's return', I have not read the booklet,I wonder what your  advice would be as regards being ready for Christ's return?.There are two things I would say in answer to being prepared for Christ's return,the first one is,you need to trust Him as your Saviour,because it will usher in for the unsaved judgement , 2 Thessalonians 1 v 8.-9 we read,'He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out  from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might'. That does not mean they will not exsist ,no, the soul will exsist eternally,some describe it as eternal ruin,another  calls it eternal exile.( CP Luke 16 v 19-31).If you are not a Christian take it serious ,please ,I urge you trust Jesus as your Saviour,before it is to late.Next we look at the position of Christians,how do we prepare for Christ's return?.live in the light of His coming,some foolish people make rash statements as to when Christ is coming again,in spite of not taking it to heart that no one whoever they are, knows when Christ is coming back again, Matthew 24 v36 reads,'But about that day or hour no one knows,not even the angels  in heaven,nor the Son,but only the Father'. Spurgeon writes,' Even Christ, in his human nature,so voluntarily limited His own  capacities that He  knew not the time of His second advent'.Yes He is coming again ,what is important is that we live in the light of that,live each day each moment in the light of our dear Saviours coming. Peter writes ,'You ought to live holy and godly lives'.

                                      'At His call the dead awaken,rise to life from earth and sea

                                      All the powers of nature,shaken,by His looks prepare to flee;

                                      Careless sinner, what then become of thee?

                                       But to those who have confessed,loved and served the Lord below,

                                        Hw will say ;come near,ye blessed,see the kingdom I bestow;

                                        You forever shall MyLove and glory know'   (Words John Newton)

True Hope.( 2 Timothy 1 v 12)

 It is said that there are three types of hope in the NT, 'No hope','False Hope',and 'True Hope'. In  Ephesians 1 v12  the apostle reminds the Gentile Christians of their former state ,that they were ,'without hope and without God',this applies to all who have not trusted Christ as their  Saviour,it's as serious as that. Next you have ,'false hope',in Matthew 7 v 21-27 we read of those who will say on judgement day ,''Lord,Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out deamons and in your name perform many miracles?Then Jesus said I will tell them plainly,''I never knew you. Away from me,you evil - doers!'' Next we consider 'true hope',  every true believer in Christ has true hope.it is described as an 'anchor,firm and secure' (Hebrews 6 v19)John Bunyan was arrested  for refusing to abstain from preaching ,he was filled with thoughts of uncertainty,he said this''Everyone doth think his own religion rightest, both Jews Moors and Pagans; and how if all our faith and Christ and Scriptures should be but a 'Think so'too?'' But when the light broke he ran out, ''Now I know! I know'', the Christian hope is different from wishful thinking,it is based on the word of God,and the Christ of the word of God.

                                                  'Min e!Mine!Mine! I know Thou art mine;

                                                  Saviour,dear Saviour,I know Thou art mine'

                                                                     Anna Hudson

                                                              

He always keeps His word.( Psalm 121)

It is sad thing  to say that people don't always keep their word,there are many examples of that,likewise goverments break promises they made before they were elected.But when it comes to God He always keeps His word ,God cannot lie,it is in fact impossible Hebrews 6 v18,'God is not human,that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil?.' Numbers 23 v 19.When He says He will help us ,He will do just that,what He promises He will do it.The hymn writer wrote,

                                             ' Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

                                               When the howling  storms of doubt and fear assail,

                                               By the living word of God I shall  prevail ,

                                               Standing on the promises of God'

                                                                  Words  R. Kelso Carter

We live in a very insecure world,so many people feel under a threat,everyday many people are afraid of loosing  all their money by the scammers,wars and rumours of war abound. Are you over whelmed by life,failed marriage,loss of employment,loss of health,in the end you just feel lost. I went to bed last night I woke early,could not get back to sleep,worrying about a certain thing.This morning  I read from one of my daily readings,'Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God ,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus'.    ( Philippians 4 v 6-7 )    

                                                   'Don't be afraid,for I am with you.

                                                   Don't be discouraged,for I am your God.

                                                   I will strengthen you and help you.

                                                   I will hold you up with my victorious

                                                  right hand. ( Isaiah 41 v10)

                                                  

                                                            

Perfect timing,planning ,and purpose. ( Isaiah 46 v 9 - 11)

When the angel appeared unto Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby,he said,'For no word from God will ever fail' (Luke 1 v 37). What God says will happen,nothing can stop it happening,in Isaiah 7 v14 we read ,' Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the virgin will conceive and give birth to a  son'.The prophet Isaiah prophesied from 739-681 BC, the word He gave came to pass,time does not weaken God's promisies,and so it came to pass.Why the delay? why did it not happen sooner? ,because it was not God's time, Ecclesiastes 3v1 reads,' There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens'.Why was I born in 1944? it was God's time,why was I born in Belfast? it was God's place.Why was Jesus born at that time,it was God's time. Galatians 4 v7  reads,' But when the fullness of time was come,God sent forth his Son'.This was a God initiative event ,some people see that many of the things in place when Christ came would enable the spread of the .Gospel.The maiden Mary was God's choice,the place of His birth was God's choice,and the place h His of death was God's choice,and the instrument of His death was God's choice.Our Sovereign God is working out all things in keeping with His will, (Ephesians  1 v11) and let us not forget,it's not over yet.,remember Jesus said 'I will come again'.

                                           

Free indeed. ( Ephesians 2 v 1-10)

 Christmas is hastening on,in many ways it is a lovely time,when we as Christians rejoice at the birth of our Saviour.When the great event happened all those years ago,angels appeared ,wise men and shepherds came.We have lovely Christmas cards with the nativity scenes on them ,it is all very idyllic,but very soon dark clouds would appear over the birth of this child,that caused his parents to leave Bethlehem to escape the murderous  intentions of the paranoid king Herod. Herod give an order that all the children in Bethlehem under 2yrs should be murdered.If Herod had succeeded in killing the Christ  child think of the awful consequences for mankind,to say the least it would have been absolutely awful for all mankind.We must look beyond the Herod's of this world to someone beyond our natural sight,but his works and evil are manifest everyday,he is god of this world,and has many followers and disciples. There are two kingdoms in this world ,the kingdom of the devil and the kingdom of God.John writing of the kingdom on darkness and its power declares,'That the whole world is under the control of the evil one( 1 John 5 v19) David Jackson writes that,'This world is dominated by the devil, who controls it with tyrannical authority,organizing and orghestrating its life and activities to express his own rebellion and hatred against God'. Read the newspapers, listen to the news,read history,that should convince you.But into this world  was born a child called Jesus , which means Saviour,and it John who tells us that,'The reason the Son of God  appeared was to destroy the devil's works'(1 John 3 v 8)No wonder he tried to murder our Saviour, but praise God he never succeeded,and so the gospel goes forth,and men and women who accept Christ are set free from the power of the evil one and brought into the kingdom of God.

                                                         'So if the Son sets you free,

                                                          you will be free indeed.'

                                                                    John 8 v36

                                                  

Let us pray. ( Luke 18 v 1 )

 In 1 Thessalonians 5v17 we read,''Pray without ceasing'',I read an article on the internet,I thought it was very helpful.''Pray without ceasing'','in these words we are being encouraged as believers to maintain a constant connection with God throughout their day. It doesn't mean praying constantly in a literal sense, but rather to be in a prayerful state,and to frequently speak to God''John Piper says''Pray without ceasing means, to stay steadfast, and never give up praying''.Next we read of some ways to help us in our prayer life.

                                                      'Be aware of God's presence.

                                                      Seek God's guidance.

                                                      Express gratitude.

                                                      Offer petitions,praise and

                                                      thoughts to God.

                                                      Pray in the morning.

                                                      Center prayer around meals.

                                                      Focus on Joyful prayer.

                                                      Pray after making a mistake 

                                                      or error.

                                                      Pray at the end of the day.

                                                      Learn to listen to God'.

What is your mindset? ( 1 Kings 18v21 )

 In Romans 8 v 12-14, we are being instructed,' that we are under no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do'.Our sinful nature will always be with us to the end of our days,you can bet on it. Unlike the unsaved we are indwelt by God's Holy Spirit so that gives us a great advantage,but we still have to resist evil urges,there is no let up ,in overcoming evil.King David unfortionately did not resist his sinful urges,and we know the consequencs, but he recognised what he had done and repented.(Psalm 51).  John Stott  writes of people having a ,'mindset, the' unsaved  In both cases their nature determines their mindset, the unsaved, and their mind will be set on so many  things ,and God won't be part of their lives,they do not to live to glorify God,Often it is to glorify themselves , their mindset is solely taken up with the things of this world,and God is shut out' This has irrespective of earth;y successs, dire consequnces,as one man comments,it is spiritual suicide. Now the Spiritual controlled life has a mindset on things above, of pleasing God,resisting ,not swept along with the goals of this life,they say that there are four main Goals of life,happiness,meaning,success ,and integrity', 'Happiness 'is a very elusive thing..'Meaning', without God there is no meaning, 'Success' ,it was Alexander the Great,who wept that there were no more worlds to conquor,cp Ecclesiastes 1v 12-18.'Integrity'' yes we need people of integrity,but it will not save anyone,standing on our integrity can be a source of pride,that can blind us to our greatest need,Christ.

                       Someone wrote the following' It still remains true that the Spirit-controlled,

                       Christ-possessed man is on the way to life; death is but an inevitable interlude

                       that has to be passed through on the way'.

Who is this Jesus ?( Isaiah 9 v 6)

John 1 v1 reads,'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God'. Who is this Word John was writing about?.We have to turn to John 20 v 31,there John  tells  why he wrote his gospel,''that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,and that by believing you may have life in his name'. The  term Son of God is equivalent to saying He was God CP John 5 v 18,and in this chapter we have a clear declaration  by Thomas who confessed that Christ was His Lord and His God v28. There are seven wonderful 'I Am's',in John's gospel ,spoken by Jesus which points us back to what God said to Moses Exodus 3 v 13-14.So now let us turn to John 1 v1.there we read the term the ,'Word' this is referring to Jesus v 14 where we read ,'that the Word was made flesh and made His  dwelling among us'.   Verse 1 begins,In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God'Hendriksen writes,'This is snother way of saying that Jesus existed from all eternity' , 'Luke's  gospel  starts at the nativity,but John's starts with eternity,' ( Bruce Milne),in John 17 our Saviour is praying to God His Father He says,'And now Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began'. Next we read,'and the Word was God'.nothing can be more clear than that, as regards to our Saviours divinity, but John does not stop there he goes unto to say.'He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made'v 2-3.

                                                     'The great Creator became our Saviour'

He paid the price. ( 1 Peter 1 v18 -19)

 There is a saying ,'Nothing 's free in life' everything comes at a cost, there is an exception if you are a Christian, the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ(Romans 3 v23). We have the word gift mentioned, one does not pay for a gift,if you had to pay, it would no longer be a gift.But there are conditions we must repent of our sins,if we are to be forgiven, and if we are sincere we will be forgiven through Jesus  who died on the cross to save us.On God's side His Son Jesus had to pay the price for our salvation. Think what it cost Christ to come into this sinful world, what he had to gave up,the Bible tells us that He was rich ,yet for our sakes He became poor',(2 Corinthians 8 v 9),none of us would like being poor,but Christ choose to be poor.Now we are not talking about earthly riches,but rather all the fullness of His exsistence in heaven.His coming to planet earth, meant that he choose to humble Himself,not only by taking upon Himself the form of a servant, but by dying on a cross.Yes our salvation is free,but it cost Jesus everything,when on that cross the wrath of God was poured out upon Him.Although He was the sinless one ,His suffering was on our behalf  and .that we do not have to suffer God's wrath,when we trust Jesus as our Saviour. Just think if you are a Christian,you will never  have to suffer for your sins,heaven not hell is your destiny.

                                                   'When I think of all He's done

                                                    and for me the guilty one,can

                                                    you wonder why it is I love 

                                                    Him so'

                                                                                    

                                             

                                 

0

Not make believe. ( John 20 v24- 29)

 Yes Christmas is coming,and the shops are full of so many thjings that have nothing to do with Christmas,but we will come to that later.One of my sons and his wife were visiting us, and I said to my daughter -in -law,ask me do I believe in Santa Claus,well she asked me,and I replied ,'I'm an agnostic'. well just a bit of fun.Who was Saint Nicholas?,it is thought that's were we get the idea of Santa from,it is thought that he is buried in Ireland, but others say he was buried in Italy(But he had an Irish passport in his pocket,again just a bit of fun).Lets stop all this Tomfoolery for its all make believe. One my young grandsons  had a revelation ,he told his parents that there was no such a person as Santa Claus,I realise that there are no faries at the end of my garden.In the midst of all the Christmas cheer unfortionately the true meaning of Christmas gets lost,and every year people will come to our carol service, and we hope that they will find the true meaning of Christmas,we keep praying that this will happen,don't give up, keep praying, that it will happen.Christmas will soon be over, but let us continue to make the gospel known,telling people the the true meaning of Christmas,and the reason for it ,which is,that he shall save His people from their sins ( Matthew 1 v21)The moment He came into this world his sole aim would be to die on the cross,for our sins.His coming was not an after thought,no God had a plan,for we read in Revelation13 v 8 that He was 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world', God in His sovereign purposes would provide a sure and certain means to save sinners,and so it came to pass.

                                                         'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ      

                                                         and you shall be saved.'

                                                                     Acts 16 v31

                                                         

                                                          

                                                             

Locked out.( Matthew 25 v 41)

 There we were just about to set off ,to see our family,it was very wet ,and windy, I went to lock the door,and I couldn't, because I had left the key in the other side of the lock,it meant we could not get back into our home. I must confess I was very upset, but we managed to get someone to come and solve the problem.He had to drill through the old lock,and replace it with a new one,so the problem was solved. It's not nice to be locked out of one's home,but there is a more serious aspect to this event. It reminds me of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 told by our Saviour, it is about a wedding,it was something different from modern weddings ,a lot of things went on before they were considered married,the bride would be  waiting for the bridegroom, not sure when  he would come.The 10 virgins mentioned in the story had be waiting  likewise for the wedding group to show them the way into the marriage celebrations.  Five of the virgins had no oil for their lamps and so it meant they had to go and buy some,but by the time they got back,they were not permitted into the marriage celebrations,they were locked out, unlike the other 5 virgins who were in and enjoying the wedding celebations. The story was aimed at the Jews  who should have been prepared for our Lords coming but were not,so they were locked out.Yes the foolish virgins left it to late,it is a reminder to all of us to be prepared to meet our God, before it is to late.When Mary of Orange was dying her chaplain sought to tell her the way of salvation.Her answer was;'I have not left this matter to this hour'.

                                                   ' I tell you,now is the time of God's favoir,

                                                     now is the day of sakvation'

                                                               2 Corinthians 6 v2.

Don't ignor Him. ( John 1 v 12)

 When one thinks of how God has spared this world up to now,we may wonder why,when one considers humanities track record.The awful wars that continually go on and on and on.We could point out mankinds fallenness,showing a disregard for God's ,morality,or for God's  ways.When the promised Messiah came,we are told that they did not receive Him (John 1 v 11),they of all people should have recognised Him but they didn't.But they are not one their own, for we read,' He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,the world did not recognise Him'.(John 1 v10 ) The effect of humanites fallen nature is very severe,and dark, even to this day His own people still won't receieve Him,and likewise the world does not recognise Him. Consider the month we are in ,its the month in which Christmas falls,the very name Christmas will be heard by millions of people who will receive cards,and Christmas presents, but they will not receive Christ. God the Father sent Jesus into this world because He loves humanity (John 3 v6). Someone has said would it be different if He came again?,Studdert-Kennedy in His poem 'Indiffernce', wrote the following,

                                       'When Jesus came to Birmingham they simple passed Him by,

                                       They never hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;

                                        For men had grown more tender,and they would not give Him pain,

                                        They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.

                                                                    'Ignored by the many

                                                                     Received by the few.

                                        ' But in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still

                                                                   The dear Christ enters in'.

                                                                           Words P.Brooks

                                      

                                                                  

Blindness ( John 9 v 39)

I recently had my eyes tested ,and the optician told me that my eye sight was near the point where I wouldn't be able to drive. It is consider ,if you cannot read a number plate at 29 meters you are not fit to drive ,and so I would loose my driven licence.Like a lot of old people I needed cataract surgery,and so I was referred to a hospital to have the problem dealt with. I have had one eye done the worst one,and will have the other one done in a short time.So today I went out and looked at some cars number plates and without my glasses on ,with my operated eye I could see them clearly. Let us consider a spiritual application, the unsaved man is blind to spiritually (1 Corinthians 2 v 14). I thought of Israel who have not accepted Jesus as their Messiah? ,yet they have the scriptures that clearly show that Christ is their  Messiah.The Apostle Paul had a great burden for his people the Jews that they would be saved,he tells us that blindness in part has happened to them, (Romans 11 v25)other translations calls it a hardness.This is a judgement by God (Romans 8 v18).As one writer comments,'it is as if a veil lies over their hearts and minds'. But lets broaden it out to all of mankind,they are spiritually blind,blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4 v 3-4),and by their hard hearts,like Pharaoh of Egypt,( Ex 7 v 13) Remember God is sovereign and He will show mercy to whom he will show mercy (Romans 9 v 18) There is hope for we read in 2 Corinthians 3v16 'But when-ever anyone turns to the Lord ,the veil is taken away'.

                                                       'I once was blind but now I see

                                                       by God's mercy and grace,

Holiness ( Psalm 139 v 23 - 24)

 What do you think of holiness? it is seen by many non-Christians as a kill joy, some Christians may even agree with that.It is emphasised in God's word a lot, because it is of the utmost importance.But first of all let us consider, the Bible calls God,''The Holy One'' over fifty times it is mentioned in the Bible ,and the Spirit God,''Holy Spirit '' ''ninety times. Christ is called the ''Holy One of God''.The hymn writer declared,'OnlyThou art holy', God is absoluetly holy,it is hard for us to grasp this truth.In our unsaved state we could not look upon such holiness,we would be burnt to a frazzle.Moses was told,'you cannot see my face ,for no one may see Me and live' (Exodus 33 v20),it will not be until we stand in glory will we be able to look upon God. R.C.Sproul said,''When we understand the character of God, and when we grasp something of His holiness, then we begin to understand the radical character of our sin and hopelessness'.The unsaved person does not grasp this,but will ,one day.Through Christ death on the cross God has made for us, away to know God , as our Father.Through Him we can come boldly into God's holy presence. (Hebrews 4 v16) As Christians we are set apart by God to be holy,it is obivious that while we are accepted by God now,yet we  still are imperfect,and so God declares to us Christians,'Be holy ,because I am holy' ,(1 Peter 1 v16/Lev 11 v44)These words are a challenge to all of God's children,of course we will never be fully holy here,but we must daily strive after holiness,long for that goal,until we are in glory.

                                                       'Robert Murry Mc Cheyne said,

                                        'Lord make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be'.

Finish. ( Luke 9 v 62)

 It was the apostle Paul who wrote ,'I have finished the race' (2 Timothy 4 v 7),and it was our Saviour on the cross who cried ,'It is finished'(  John 19 v30) When it comes to the Christian life it is important, I would say vital to continue in the faith,I know so many people  and they gave up following Jesus,The term backslider is what they are called,they once ran well,but there was a time when they stopped running and turned back. One of the companions who went with Christian (in Pilgrims progress) on their way to the celestual city,Ignorance turned back when he was so near to entering into the city Christian declared,' Then I saw that there was a way to hell,even from the  gates of heaven,as well as from the  City of destruction!'Lots wife looked back and she perished,so it is if we turn back we will be lost. In Matthew  24 v 13 we read,'But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved'.The question we may ask ,were they not Christians?did not Jesus say.'I give thm eternal life and they shall never perish'(John 10 v28) So why did our Saviour say what He did? because their will  be those who like Judas who was a disciple yet was not a true believer.It is John in his first epistle  who writes  as regards those who turned away from Christ,'They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. for if  they had belonged to us,they would have remained with us; But their going showed  that none of them belonged to us.' I would just add the backslider can be restored if they turn back to God , I did.(1 v 19).Sir Walter Raleigh prayed the following prayer.

                            'O Lord God ,when you give your servants to endeavour any great matter,

                             grant us also to know that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the

                             same to the end, until it be thoroughly finished,which yields the true glory;

                             through him who for the finishing of your work,laid down his life,our

                             redeemer,Jesus Christ.'

Shine (John 5 v 14-16 )

 There is a hymn with the words'this dark world of sin' yes it is a dark world,be very sure about that,and it is in John 8 v 12,our Saviour said,'I am the light of the world',when we trust Jesus as our Saviour,we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.That means that we will no longer  walking in darkness,I witnessed to two people recently and the things they were saying, and it revealed to me,the darkness that they were in. We  see clearly the darkness people that people are in so many aspects of life it is very sad,and very serious in its consequences. We are not to despair as to the darkness ,no, we are to shine,our Saviour has gone to heavem and he has left us a task,we read about it Matthew 5v16,He said ,'You are the light of the world' and He goes on to say,'Let your light shine before others,that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven' there are two ways in which we can witness to people by our words and by our lives.It was Nietzsche the philospher said, 'Show me you are redeemed, and I will believe in your redeemer'. I read of a family in China who had a daughter who had special needs her name is Abigal.Her parents took her to a Christian education project, called ,'Well of love',she came after dark as her father was ashamed of her, but things changed for the better, Abigail made great progressed,this had an effect especially on the father,so one day he appeared at the centre and asked if he could know the God who had so changed his family's life. I leave you with a verse from a children's hymn.

                                                    'Jesus bids us shine with a pure ,clear light;

                                                     Like a little candle burning in the night,

                                                     In this world of darkness,so we must shine,

                                                     You in your small corner and I in mime.'

The call of God.(Joshua 1 v 9)

 What had Moses,Gideon,and Jeremiah in common? ,they all felt weak and inadequate,and yet God called the three of them to serve him.Moses was called to lead Israel out of Egypt. For Moses it started in a strange way,while out looking after his father in laws sheep,God spoke to him from  a bush, why a bush?ask God. Moses replied  to God's call,that he was an inadequate speaker,he also requested God to send someone else.I knew a man who when he was young had a stutter,God helped him to overcome that, and he went on to establish a Christian mission. (Exodus 3 -4 v 1-17) When God called Gideon he said to God,'Pardon me,my Lord......'but how can I  save Isreal? my clan is the weakest in Manasseh,and I am least in my family.'Your background is no hindrance in relation to the call of God, many of God's sevants came from a poor background.William Carey was a cobbler by trade and God used him mightly in India.Next Jeremiah ,when God called him,he said a similar thing as Moses, but he also said ,'I am to young' ( Jeremiah 1 v 6) one of the greatet minister in England was C H.Spurgeon, he became a minister at 19. God said to Moses,'I will be with you( Exodus 3 v12) God said to Gideon ,'I will be with you' (Judges 6 v16) God said to Jeremiah ,'I am with you'( Jeremiah 1 v 8).When God calls us to His service,He will be  with us.

9

0

New sight. ( Psalm 146 v 8 )

 A dear friend of mind recently had a cataract operation,a cataract is a clouding of the  lens of the eye, he mentioned  the tremendous improvement in his sight.He could see things so much better,sight  is a very precious gift.Our Saviour healed the blind ,it is hard to take it in how they must have felt.Now there is another type of blindness that is spiritual blindness,our Saviour called the religious leaders blind guides Matthew 23 v19.and speaking of the non-Christian  the apostle Pual writes that they walk  in the futility of their mind,having their understanding darkened,being alienated  from the life of God , because of the ignorance that is them, and the blindness of their hearts',John Newton wrote that he was once blind ,but now he could see.When Christ becomes your Saviour,you see things with new sight and new  understanding ,George Robinson wrote ,'Heaven above is softer blue,earth around is sweeter green something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen; birds with gladder songs o'erflow,flowers with deeper  beauties shine,since I know as now I know, I am His and He is mine' Yes when Christ becomes our Saviour we see things change.We see Christ as he truly is, we see the importance of  obeying God,we see the importance of  walking in newness of life, we see that God's will must always take first place in our lives.

                                                     'I once was blind but now I see'

We all underestimate. ( Romans 3 v 23)

 The more I read the history of the 20th century,and the terrible wars that took place,it really makes me think how true what the word of God says about human nature.It is summed up in 10 words,hear they are', 'The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately wicked'.(Jeremiah 17 v 9) There is a line that follows these words,which reads,'Who really knows how bad it is?' I catch a glimps of the wickedness of my own heart so often, and I must confess it frightens me, I read of a soldier who wrote a letter to his loved ones, in it he wrote of the love for his family,and eulogised of the beauty of a sunset. Then he went on to describe how he participated in a massacre of many civilians during which he clubbed a baby against a tree'.Because of our fallen nature we all can commit things that our unthinkable.I mentioned before that I and a number of boy soldiers,listened to an adult soldier, boasting how he and another friend raped two women,I thought he was a nice person,but but he showed no awareness of the evil he had committed.Our fallen nature manifests itself in different degrees, but we all need to be saved ,God who is holy is offended by any degree of sin,there are no exceptions ,without Christ saving you, you will suffer the wrath of God just as much as that soldier I have mentioned.

Hope beyond. ( Revelation 21 v 1 -5 )

  We're born,we live, and we die, so that's it?,for most people that's it, but of course we were never meant to die,but the moment sin entered in ,death entered ,in Romans 5 v12 we read,'Therefore ,just as sin entered the world through  one man,and death through sin,and in this way death came to all people, because all have sinned'.I spoke to a man recently, I brought death into the conversation,I asked him what happens when you die,he pointed downwards,I said to him it does'nt have be ,trust the Saviour and it will be upwards. As a minister I have to remind people about death ,I know that man didn't want to hear about death,but it is important that he did hear,not just about death,but after death. He pointed down,he may have indicating that was it,but of course its not ,there is a heaven and there is a hell,that's something else he didn't want to hear,like most people,and sad to say most preachers don't mention it.Why ? that's a good question.  I visited two dear Christians,both are very elderly,the man had  Parkinson,he has died since ,his dear wife is wheelchair bound.None of  it is very nice,in my prayer time  I wept for them,Yet during the visit  to them I read from Revelation 21,it speaks of eternal glories,how God will be wth them,and that God will wipe away  all tears,and there will be no more death or mournng or crying or pain, for all those things will have passed away'.What a wonderful  word of  comfort,to God's children,yes there is hope beyond the awfulness of death,when you trust Jesus as your Saviour.

This far the Lord has helped us. ( I Samuel 7 v 2-14 )5

                                                             Psalm 37 v 25.

                                           'I have been young and now I am old,

                                           yet I have never seen the righteous

                                           forsaken or their children begging 

                                           bread.'

Here we have David and he is old, and this is what he testifies,that he has never seen the righteous forsaken,or  their children begging bread. Of course there will be exceptions when God's children will know hardships and difficulties,but they will not be forsaken.Whither it be fair weather or stormy weather God  will never forsake them.As regards our needs God will provide,that is my experience, I have mentioned a time when my first wife and I lived by faith,when we attended college ,God supplied our needs.During that time I told a lady how we were living ,and she said we were begging,but we weren't, I never in my life begged of anybody, nor has any of my children. God  honoured our faith and our needs were met.If we read Davids life we see that there were two times that he asked people for help ,the first one was of the priest Ahimelek (1 Samuel 21) the second one was when he asked Nabal(1 Samuel 25). We should not box ourselves into a corner,sometimes it is permissible to go to someone for help, sometimes God would be using  you to test them,to see if they will give. God is faithful and will provide for  his peoples needs,and His chilldrens needs,

                                             'Begone unbelief ! my Saviour is near

                                              And for my relief will surely appear.

                                              By prayer let me wrestle and He will perform;

                                              With Christ in the vessel I smile at the storm.

                                                                 John Newton

 ,

Be still. ( Psalm 27 ) 4

                                            ' Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;

                                             do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when

                                             they carry out their wicked schemes.'

                                                                    Psalm 37 v 7

Rudyard Kipling the poet wrote,'If you can keep your head when all about are losing theirs and blaming it on you,'it is not easy to do that,so let us take a moment to consider the writer of psalm 37, David a man who found himself in many a tight spot. When king Saul ruled, David became a fugitive and a  wanted man,in that Saul wanted to kill him.So often it was not just a matter of panicking,that would not have helped,but he learned a very important lesson,that of resting in God and waiting patiently for God to act on his behalf. He is telling us to not to press the panic button,even though everything is against us,even though our enemies have the upper hand. Their success was a false dawn, the reality was  that God was against them and would deal with them,and would rescue David out of their clutches.The apostle Paul wrote  .'If God be for us ,who can be against us'  (Romans 8 v 31),you cannot be beaten if God is for you,you cannot loose,so be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

                                                     'A mighty fortress is our God,

                                                      A mighty shield and weapon'

                                                               Matin Luther

                                                    

Keep in step.( Psalm 119 v 105 )3

                                                       ' Commit your way  to the Lord;

                                                        trust in Him and He will do this; 

                                                                    Psalm 37 v 5   

Whatever way we should go, and whatever works or enterprises we are involved in,committ them to God,it may be a great venture  or a small venture,it matters not,commit it all to God,leave nothing to chance.My favourite commentary on the Psalms is by William S.Plumer it is no longer published,and I would like to share with you some of his comments on this verse,.'Trust also in Him,' 'If God favors an enterprise,it will not fail if we build a house ,it will stand.The error  against which we are here warnerd is reliance on our own strength or wisdom,The encouragement here given is to renounce  all self confidence and to look to God alone, that He will graciously undertake our case, bear our burdens,and accomplish  for us that which we could never bring to pass, David had a beautiful illustrtion of the truth here urged, in his coming into full and peaceable possession of the throne'. Remember our way should be His way,then all will be well,if we are in step with God He will guide our footsteps,make sure you are not out of step with God  or you may fall flat on your face/He will open doors no one can shut,He will lead us in the right way,and His way is perfect ,He never makes a mistake,He is the perfect guide.

                                'O let me see Thy footmarks, and in them plant mine own;

                                 My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.

                                 O guide me,call me,draw me,uphold me to the end;

                                 And then in heaven receive me,my Saviour and my Friend'

                                                        Words John E.Bode.

                                 

                                                             

         

Delight ( Matthew 7 v 7) 2

                                                                  'Psalm 37 v4 '

                                         'Take delight in the Lord,and He will give you

                                          the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37 v 4)

So many people delight in vain things,things of no accord,the list is endless,My friend was on the pastorial team in a hospice,he visted a man  who told him that he didn't want anything  to do with God.My friend asked him what did he want,? he wanted to hear a certain group singing,my friend got him a recording of the group.  That  was what he delighted in,vain vanites,let us lift our desires to a higher level,our desires,can be our requests,petitions,and in keeping with God's will he will give us them.Plumber writes ,'Moses had a great desire to see God's glory;and the Lord showed him as much as he could bear. Solomon had a quenchless thirst  after knowledge and wisdom,and Jehovah made him the wisest of mere men'I remember when I worked in the grain terminal,it was to say the very least a very dusty job,I really wanted out of it,and I wanted a job that I could wear nice clothes,and God got me that job. I also wanted to  serve God in Christian  ministry and God got me that job.

                                            ' This is the confidence we have in appoaching

                                              God; that if we ask anything according to his

                                               will,He hears us,And if we know that He hears 

                                                us whatever we ask,we know that we have what

                                                 we asked for'

                                                                     (1 John 5 v 14- 15)

                                                    

                                             .

Trust , (Isaiah 12 v 2) 1

 There are very instructive verses in Psalm 37  the first one reads,

                                                  'Trust in the Lord and do good;

                                                   dwell in the land and enjoy 

                                                   safe pature' v 3

What God desires from us is trust,we honour Him when we trust Him ,Israel's history so often was filled with fretting and fearfulness,with the result they didn't always trust and obey, so they suffered because of their rebelliousness, and unbelief in God .Peter walked on water but faith deserted him,and Jesus had to save him from drowning.( Matthew 14 v 25-31)Jesus asked him ,''why did you doubt?,'' doubt will put a spanner in the works all the time,it did for Peter,and it will do the same for you and me.Trust in the Lord and then he adds,'do good',it was said of our dear Saviour that He went about doing good, ( Acts 10 v 38)let us follow in his footsteps,there are so many people doing bad things, let us be people who do good things.The last part of the verse  reads,'dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture',one commentator puts it like this,'So shalt thou dwell in the land and live securely',let the Lord be your security ,the result will be,'The Lord will keep you from all harm ,He will watch over your life,He will watchover your coming and going both now and forever more.(Psalm 121 v 7-8 ) Lastly 'and enjoy safe pasture',in other words God would provide for his children,so let us not dwell in doubting castle,

                                                    'Be gone unbelief!my Saviour is near

                                                    And for my relief  will surely appear..

                                                    By prayer let me wrestle and He will perform;

                                                    With Christ in the vessel I smile at the storm'.

                                                                      'John Newton'

All our lives. ( Psalm 37 v 25 )

                                                   ' All my life you have been faithful,

                                                    All my life you have been so,so good,

                                                    With every breath, that I am able,

                                                    I will sing of the goodness of God''

God is faithful, no one in all of history is as faithful as God, why oh why has He not given up on planet  earth. Well the Word of God says,that He is a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4 v19),that means He has not given up on  planet earth,it belongs to Him and to Him alone,as He promised'As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest,cold and heat,summer and winter,day and night will never cease ',(Genesis 8 v 22) He is faithful to His Word, but Peter reminds us that the end is coming of this present world at a time appointed by God,yes there is a reason why it is delayed, His divine patience,and mercy,and love desires that all should  come to repentance, and faith in Christ, so the earth continues.We who are His Children are not forsaken,  He is a faithful loving Heavenly Father,many of  His children have suffered throughout history ,and many at this present time are suffering,He will loose none of them. (John 10 v 28 -30 ).Whatever our experience in life,we can with  Jeremiah declare ,great has been God's faithfulness. (Lamentations 3 v 23) ,and we can all say.

                                                    'All our lives you have been faithful                         

                                                     All our lives you have been so,so good'

                                                       Words by 'Ben Fielding/Brian Johnson'

We are all one.{ Revelation 4 v 9 )

 I visited a church recently ,and one of  the leaders said to me ,that they had at least 42 different nationalities attending their church. I said that was wonderful it is what the church is all about,as John 3 v16 tells us,'that God so loved the world'.Sad it is ,that down through history , there were groups who raised barriers ,excluding people on the bases of colour and race.In Romans 16 v 1-23,Paul sends greetings to the saints in Rome naming 26 individuals, diverse in race and gender.At that time there were Jewish believers who really wanted the status quo to continue,and of course that was wrong, it was weakening the idea of a universal church.It is also weakens it, when we exclude people on the bases of social standing or whatever .Yet it still goes on,we hear people referring to a church as a' black church',the little childrens song goes,'Jesus loves the little children all the children of the world,red and yellow,black and white all our precious in His sight'  That's the way it should be,everyone should be accepted equally into the Church of Chirst.Our Saviour said ,'There shall be one flock and one shepherd.' (John 10 v16)and in Galatians 3 v28 we read,'There is neither Jew nor Gentile,neither slave nor free,nor is there male and female,for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

                                                        ' Salvation is indiscriminate'

A mind at peace with God.( Romans 8 v14 -17)

                                              'But now in Christ Jesus you who 

                                              once were far away have been 

                                               brought near by the blood of                           

                                                           Christ'

                                                    'Ephesians 2 v 13'

                                    'A mind at peace with God,O what a word is this!

                              A sinner reconciled through blood; this,this indeed is peace.

                                    By nature and by practice far,so very far from God!

                             Yet now by grace brought near to Him,through faith in Jesus blood.

                                      So near,so very near to God,I cannot nearer be;

                                      For in the person of His Son, I am as near as He.

                                     So dear, so very dear to God,more dear I cannot be;

                               The love with which He loves His Son,such is His love for me.

                                Why should I ever be anxious be,when kept by power divine?

                                  This is my God who says to me,that all He has is mine.'

                                                            'Words Catesby Pagent'

                                       

                                    

                                      

Deliver us from all evil. (Philippians 4 v 11-13 )

                 The words of Agur in Proverbs 30 v 7- 9 are very helpful,it is a prayer, it reads,

                                  'Two things I ask of you,Lord; do not refuse me before I die;

                                   Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty 

                                   nor riches,but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may

                                   have to much and disown you and say.''Who is the Lord?''

                                   Or I may become poor and steal,and so dishonour the name

                                   of my God

Hear is a man who wants to honour God ,he sees the evil in falsehood and lies,so he asks God for his help,it is good to recognise our weaknesses,and how easily it is to sin,Shakespeare wrote ,'Man know thyself', Yes even as Christians we can easily loose our way,and fall into practices that our wrong,in the light of that we need Gods help everyday,as the song goes,'I need Thee every hour'.The next two things he touches on is poverty and riches,D  Atkinson write  ,'We need help to use both poverty and wealth appropriately'.  As regards  prosperity read Deuteronomy 6 v10-12,which shows clearly,the dangers to our spiritual life,as regards prosperity,even to the place of forgetting God.Leupold writes'To cope with prosperity may be more difficult,than to cope with poverty'.As  regards poverty,no one likes to be poor,and in that condition  we can be tempted to steal, Poverty does not give us a right to commit wrongs.Agur pleads with God to keep him from the extremes ,and to have enough to live on.

                                           '  Whatever state we find ourselves in,may

                                              we glorify God'

I was not perfect. ( Philippians 1 v 6 )

A young lad was singing a song about his dad who had died recently,some of the words went like this,' No need to forgive,no need to forget,I know your mistakes and you know mine'.I attended a funeral recently of someone I have known for a long time,we were joint leaders in a certain church. The service was full of tributes to that brother,and I was impressed by what was said,every thing was very positive,as you would expect it to be.  I am a father of  five son's, I have been married twice,my first wife died of cancer. I am eighty years of age and looking back back on my life as a husband I wasn't perfect ,likewise as a father,I made mistakes. When it comes to my funeral  I hope they will point out that I was far from perfect,as a husband I was faithful I loved both my wives,but I was not the perfect husband ,likewise I loved my children, but I was not a perfect father,I made mistakes,and they made mistakes,but I have  loved them greatly.Let us remember that there are no perfect husbands, and no perfect children,but  this I know if God had not saved me early in my life, I would have been a worse person,I can quarantee that.I exalt the grace of God,and the mercy of God , and the love of God ,for saving a wretch like me when I trusted Jesus as my Saviour.

                                                    'Amazing grace! how sweet the sound

                                                     That saved a wretch like me!

                                                      I once was lost, but now am found;

                                                       Was blind but now I see.'

                                                                  John Newton.

                                                          

Only one sin. ( Numbers 32 v 23 )

When the Bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God,(Romans 3 v23) that's a fact,how serious does one take that?,and how serious do we take sin?. I heard a person say,as regards something that was being done,'that's not a big sin', I think a lot of people categorise sin ,from a human point ,we see murder ,child abuse,rape as being very severe ,and then other things as not so serious.But how does God look on sin ?, well He takes all sin very seriously,even sins of ignorance.I was talking to  a friend recently,and he mentioned about his mother,whom he loved,she was not saved .When he spoke to her as regards salvation,like many people she said the usual thing ,she went to church,and didn't do very much wrong.Her son said this to her,'one sin will take to you to hell,'he went on to say how he invited his mother to go to church with him,which she did, it was snowing so not many people were there.My friend went and spoke to the preacher before the meeting began,he said to him,that there was only one unsaved person in the meeting,and that was his mother.He said to him that in his message say,'that even one sin will take you to hell',and the preacher did that.At the end of the message he made an appeal for anyone who wanted Jesus as their Saviour to put up their hand,and my friends mother did,she became a Christian, and when she died ,she didn't go to hell, she went to heaven.

Image ( John 1 v 14)

 I have just read an article by Melanie Reid,she is tetraplegic and is partial paralysed and gets about on a wheel church.It was a very frank articial,she confessed she did not like to see herself in a mirror because she didn't like the image she saw,after all she said,'I'm someone in a wheelchair, that's my distinguishing characteristic,how can anyone be proud of that'. She confessed'The cruel rider is I've never lost my vanity.being in a chair just makes conceit more poignant'Recently I saw a photo of myself  with my wife Daphne,and I did not like what I saw,I looked old,which I am,I am eighty,I no longer have a good side,I think I shall go to the body shop.Alright I'm not the man I used to be,but in another sense that's good,what do I mean by that?.In 2 Corinthians 4 v16,we read,'   Though outwardly we are wasting away,yet inwardly we are renewed day by day'.Man looks on the outward appearance we see this in so mamy things,but God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16v7) .Paul must have being shown the wear and tear of all the trials and difficulties he had come through.So he reminds us that we must see ourselves not just from a physical point of veiw,but from a spiritual point of veiw,what is the quality of my being inwardly? that is what is important,how are we developing spiritually?,an old saint once said,'yes I am old,but I'm still growing',and becoming more like Jesus.You cannot take a photo of that,but we can manifest it in our live s.Isaiah wrote 53 v 2 about the coming Messiah Jesus,and he said the following, ' He had no form nor comeliness ; and when we shall see Him,there is no beauty that we should desire him,' and yet he was alltogether lovely.

                                                'His words were beautiful,His life 

                                                 life was beautiful,and His death

                                                 was beautiful'

Therefore (Romans 12 v 1-2 )

In that wonderful book of Romans, Paul hammers out so many wonderful truths,having done that, in chapter 12 ,it starts with the word ,'Therefore ', in the light of the great truths of  salvation,to both Jews and Gentiles, the fact that we are no longer condemned,and the tremendous security we have  in Christ,and that nothing seperates us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (8 v 35-39) there should be a response to that,Paul first of all reminds us,'In veiw of God's mercy,we should offer our bodies as a living ssacrifice,holy and pleasing to God,this is our true proper worship'.One word I use continually is mercy,and I rejoice that God in his mercy saved me,not only that,he give me a new life.When the hymn writer wrote of the cross he said ,'Love so amazing so divine demands my soul ,my life ,my all'.That is what we are challenged with in these opening words of Romans 12, to offer our bodies as living sacrifice, yes our bodies,'holy and pleasing to God'. John Stott writes the following,'No worship is pleasing to God which is purely inward,abstract and mystical; it must express its self  in concrete acts of service performed by our bodies'.We all must all become motherTeresa's,again as John Stott writes,' That our feet will walk in His paths,our lips will speak the truth and spread the gospel,our tongues will bring healing,our hands will lift up those who have fallen, performing many mundane tasks; our arms will embrace the lonely and unloved,our ears will listen to the cries of the distressed,and our eyes will look  humbly and patiently  towards God'.

A word in season ( Lamentations 3 v 22-23)

 I was speaking to a young man ,who was unsettled as regards his employment situation, I said to  him that as I  looked back I could see how God in His providental care,had undertook for me.He said that's in the past, but what about now?,yes what about now,is God just the God of the past?,I did my best to encourage that that young man how God would undertake for him now.Coninciding with this I was concerned about something,my dear wife was travelling on the following day to our son's home,I wanted to go with her,but was unable to.The weather forecast said there would be heavy rain,and also strong winds.Also  there were road works in place,possible diversions,it  created a degree of concern for us both. The next day before she went on her journey I read  a devotional about a man going on a journey,and how the Lord undertook. The verse at the top of the devotional read,'The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and evermore' (Psalm 121 v8) That to me was a word in season,it came just at the right time,and encouraged me greatly, God's providental care for us His children is ongoing,not just in the past,but also in present,and also in the future. 

                                                  'Consider what you owe to God's providence'

Faith. ( Romans 4 v 18- 24 )

Are there as one person say's 'degrees in faith'? I am sure that is true,as I  think back in my Christian life I have been  influenced by George Muller of Bristol who had great faith. He was the founder of a work among children, raising up many orphanages,many children were rescued from dire poverty.It was a work of faith, George never made pleas for money, he prayed and God provided,his life is worth reading. He had a deep sense that God had called him to that work, that's a very important point to make.If God calls you to a work ,whatever it may be,then He will aid and guide you to accomplish that work,and He will honour your faith. He honoured George's faith, and that was a confirmation that his calling was of God. There are people I know who have started ministries and and yet they never came to anything. When our Saviour came it was to accomplish the will of God ,He never wavered from that at anytime, nor should we,wondrous things will happen,if it is not the will of God it won't happen,it is as simple as that. A great example is Abraham,who responded to God's call on his life, God blessed him,as He responded to God's  call on His life. his response was an act of faith,and obedience to God , Whether it was to leave his homeland,to marry Sarah,or to sacrifice his son,he acted in faith,and God abundantly honoured his faith.  The life of a Christians commences by faith in Christ,what follows is a life of faith, that faith will surely be tried,and in those trials we can grow in faith, or we can diminish in faith, whatever trial we may face it is a call to exercise faith,Charles Wesley wrote,

                                                       'In hope,against all human hope

                                                       Self-desperate,I  believe...

                                                       Faith,mighty faith,the promise sees

                                                            And looks to that alone;

                                                            Laughs at impossibilites

                                                          And cries; it shall be done!

                                                 

A closer walk with God.( Philippians 3 v 7-14)

 William Cowper was a great poet,a great hymn writer,a very close friend of John Newton,who helped him as a friend with his mental illness.My favourite hymn is ,'God moves in mysterious ways', written by WC , it is a very profound hymn.Another hymn that shows him as being concerned with his walk with God,and aspects of it that many of us can identify with,I know I can ,consider the godliest people,they are not perfect,none of us are,our walk is not all it should be,and  as the opening verse begins there is a longing for a closer walk with God.

                                  'O for a closer walk with God,a calm and heavernly frame; 

                                  A light  to shine upon the road,that leads me to the Lamb!

                                  Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I saw the Lord?

                                  Where is the soul refreshing view,of Jesus and His word?

                                  What peaceful hours I once enjoyed,how sweet there memory still!

                                  But now I feel an aching void,the world can never fill.

                                  The dearest idol I have known,whate'er that idol be,

                                  Help me to tear it from Thy throne,and worship only Thee.

                                  So shall my walk be close with to God,calm and serene my Frame;

                                  So purer light shall mark the road,that leads me to the Lamb.'

The only sacrifice,the only meadiator.( Hebrews 9 v11 -28)

 In the New Teastament Christians are called saints,but in the NIV Christians they are called God's 'Holy people', the meaning is one who is set apart,I wonder if NIV use  those words to clarify a confused situation. Caused by the Church of Rome and its unbiblical  teaching that saints are limited to some special group who they appoint  whereas the the Bible teaches that all Christians are saints,and then these special group whom the Church of Rome exalt to the position of  mediators for all those who pray to God,because it is not what the Bible teaches,1 Timothy 2 v5 reads 'For there is one God and one mediator between God and  mankind,the man Christ Jesus'.There is no bases for making others mediators that includes so called saints or Mary. .As there where many sacrifices under the Old Covenat these sacrifices could never take away sin (Hebrews 10 v 11),but Christ sacrifice put and end to them, by His one never to be repeated sacrifice  ,sin would be finally dealt with, Hebrews 10 v14 reads,' For by one sacrifice He has made perfect for ever those who are being made perfect.' So it is was that under the Old Covenant there many who mediated for the people of God, again that was only a temporary measure, there was a new priesthood promised (Psalm110 v4).Jesus was that person ,no other mediators would be needed,he alone qualified for that role ,no one should can  usurp His position as our great High Priest.

                                                        'It is all about Jesus'

hebrews 7 

A better world. ( Hebrews 11 v 13- 16 )

A Captian Henry Wasknow was mortally wounded in the second world,before he died he behind a letter for his family ,of akind which many young men wrote;here is part of it,' I would liked to have lived. But, since God  has willed otherwise,do not grieve too much,dear ones, for life in the other world must be beautiful, and I have lived with that in mind all along'.What lovely words they are,yet so many people live just for this world ,living with that other beauiful world in mind,does not mean escapism ,for Henry in his letter also wrote,' I have done my best to make the world a better place',and he did that by paying the ultimate price.Let us follow Henry's example, let us always keep in mind that other beautiful world, which we know as heaven,in Colossians 3 v 1 we read,'Set your hearts on things above ,where Christ is'. But let us until Christ callls us home do our best to make this world a better place.

To deny these truths.( John 20 v 31)

 Malcolm Muggeridge who professed to be a Christian wrote the following as regards the virgin birth,did he believe it?,his reply was,he did,and then he said.''but as regards a particular female,without anything else happening,concieved and bore a child and that child was Jesus.In other words, I see it as an artistic  truth rather than an historical truth'. He may have professed to be Christian,but that statement puts a big question over the reality of that. There are many people who believe in a Christ,but it is not the Christ of the Bible,Islam believes in a Christ,Mormons,Jehovah witnesses also believe in a Christ ,but the Christ that they have is far removed from the Christ in the Bible. To be a true Christian  means that we only believe what the Bible teaches, and nothing else,to stray from that brings into question any profession that we may make .We must accept the truth that He was born of Mary who was a virgin ,and that He was the Son of God (Luke 1 v34 -35/Isaiah 7 v 14). That he was truly human but also truly God (Isaiah 9 v 6/ John 1 v 1//Philippians 2 v 8.) .That He was sinless ( Hebrews 4 v15),and that He came for the purpose of saving sinners (Matthew 1v 22 ) that His death on the cross was a sacrifice for sin,that meant he who was sinless would take the sinners place,paying for our sin,that meant taking the punishment for our sins (Isaiah 53v10 /Romans 3 v25/1John 2v2/4v10) ,that means no add -ons,We must believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ .(1 Corinthians 15 ).We must believed that he ascended to heaven  and will return again (Acts 1v9 -11) To deny these truths is to deny you are a Christian.

0

0

I will not fail you.( Isaiah 26 v3 )

 A woman read from what her fatther had written as regards his experience in the 2nd world war,he said everyone was praying,and he found a bit of paper with these words on it, 'Let not your heart be trouble'. These words are, from John 14 v1,our Saviour spoke those words to His disciples,just before He was going to die,for them it would have been a very troubled time. It didn't make sense to them, that He who they believed was the Messiah, should die and die on a cross of all things,But they would eventially understand,and they would remember His words, and how they failed to let them take root. 'Let not your heart be troubled'but it doesn't stop there,it goes unto say,'ye believe in God , believe also in me'.He is saying to saying to them ,'you trust in God' well ,'Trust also in Me', God won't fail you,nor will I,you can trust me for whatever lies ahead,all will be well ,this will not be the end,it will be the beginning of a glorious future ,an eternal future.The future may seem dark now but there will be light at the end of the tunnel.Yes I will die but death will not have the last say,I  go to prepare a place for all my children,I will not fail you.Today He says to all of us who have put their trust in Him,'Let not your heart be troubled',I will not fail you.

                                                'Peace perfect peace,our future all unknown?

                                                Jesus we know , and He is on the throne'

                                                            Words E.H.Bickersteth