Realism and the word of God.[Romans 8 v28 -39 ]

I heard a man on the radio, advocating a pessimistic outlook in life ,it was an interesting point of veiw, modern man have built their hopes on science,materialism, and technology.The result is they think every problem can be solved,but it is not so ,some groups of Christians ,fall into the same trap. What I believe we should be, is a realist,based upon Gods word , our Saviour said the poor will be with us always [ Mark 14 v7 ], continually we are being warned of the pitfalls of life,that death is enevitable. Yet inspite of these things ,we are encouraged that no matter what happens to us God can make it work out for His childrens good [Romans 8 v28 ],that even death will not defeat them, and that we have with us, at all times a Saviour, called Jesus. [Dear God we believe that all is well, inspite of the obvious difficuties that life throws at us, because You assure us from Your word that we are in Thy care, we thank You for this in our Saviours name. Amen ]

The pursuing God. [Isaiah 53 v 6 ]

Someone I know said, he felt God was pursuing him, there is a poem with that theme, but is it true? I suppose it is true, when one thinks about it. I think it can apply to those who know the truth, yet for one reason or another,they run away from it, yet all the time God is pursuing them, until He catches up with them. Why does He bother? love, He loves that person, inspite of their resistance, it goes back to our first parents[ Genesis 3 v 10], and ever since we have followed in their footsteps, with God in hot pursuit. Why is God pursuing?, because someone is praying for that person, a godly mother and father, and in response to their prayers God pursues, the runaways.Will He catch them?, of course, you cannot beat God at a race, He always gets his man,you can bet on it. [Dear God we all know runaways, sons, daughters,old friends, who once walked with You, and indeed those who have not known You, in mercy pursue them till You catch them, in Jesus name, Amen ]

Immanuels Land. [ Acts 7 v 56 ]

When I was ministering last Sunday,we were singing a hymn, and as we sung it, I felt emotional, I felt the tears running down my cheeks, so I stopped singing and just listened to the congregation, and as I listened ,I felt blessed, I who was there to minister was ministered to.mybe they didnt realise that they were ministering to me, but they were. The hymn they sung was that lovely hymn,/The sands of time are sinking/, by A. R. Cousin, here are the last two verses of this lovely hymn./The bride eyes not her garment,But her dear bridegrooms face.I will not gaze at glory,But on my King of grace. Not at the crown He gifteth,But on His pierced hand, The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuels land/ Ive wrestled on towards heaven, Gainst storm ,and wind, and tide, Now like a weary trav,ller,That leaneth on His guide. Amid the shades of evening,While sinks lifes lingering sand, I hail the glory dawning, in Immanuels land/. [ Dear Saviour grant us grace to wrestle on towards heaven, to not give up, until we see You, the Lamb , who is the glory of Immanuels land. Amen ]

Conversion. [ Luke 15 v 11 - 32 ]

Following our theme of mans condition, and its consquences,we move on to consider the Biblical doctrine of conversion. In 1 Thessalonians 1v 9, the apostle writes , how these Christians had turned to God ,from idols to serve the living and true God. This is an example of conversion , Vine puts it , a turning about' and a turning to, it is an about turn,turning from ones sinful life,a forsaken of ones sinful ways, true conversion will start at the foot of the cross,where we seek forgiveness, by accepting Jesus as saviour,then we follow Him ,in a life of holiness and obedience. It is Vine who declares,/Divine grace is the efficent cause, human agency the responding effect/. We cannot do this on our own, we need God to help us ,and this He will gladly do, for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, compare Romans 10 v 13. Here is a prayer , if you have never been converted, [Dear God have mercy upon me, forgive all my sins , save me by your grace , as I now turn to Jesus Thy son, and follow Him. Amen ]

Sins consequences. [ Romans 6 v 23 ]

Yesterday we wrote about mankinds condition, that he is a sinner, now let us consider the consequence of this. The first thing that was effected was mankinds relationship with God, no longer did a friendly relationship exsist between us, sin had caused a breech, so much so that mankind was expelled from paradise, with a death sentance hanging over them.[ GENESIS 1 V17/ 3 V 24 ] This sentence is hereditary no one escapes it, for all have sinned [Romans 3 v23 ],and in Romans 6 v23, the apostle declares ,the wages of sin is death , as Godet writes in his commentary,/ the term death does not mean the annihilation of the sinner.....it is rather to make one feel the painful consequences of sin/. Yes the painful consequence of sin, look at this world,and everywhere we see the consequences of sin, look into our own hearts and lives, if we dare, and we see the consequence of sin.[ Dear God help us not to live under any illusion as regards the consequences of sin ,for us and for this world, in Jesus name , Amen ]

Mans condition. [ Psalm 51 v 5 ]

I wonder what you think about the riots?,it was interesting to listen to a reporter on the radio, regarding a number of people who where being charged with various crimes. He mention that many had very good jobs , so why where they rioting?why become a law breaker?. Earlier that day I had been thinking over three things in my head, and the first one was mans condition ,the Bible tells us that man is a sinner,instead of accepting this, many speak of mans inherent goodness, something they are born with.If this so why do we have laws?,the fact of the matter we all break the speed limit,we all do many things contrary to mans law but all of us break God laws,by our actions, thoughts, and words,So if we see riots, and hear about crime ,and child abuse, let us remember it is part of our condition, our sinful condition, and as we will see next time ,there are consequences in relation to our condition, that are very serious. [Dear God we pray that conviction of sin may begin to sweep through our land, and our hearts, in Jesus name. Amen ]

There is victory in Jesus.[1 Corinthians 15 v 57 ]

I identify with what the apostle wrote in Romans 7, its an interesting chapter, many debate over the meaning of it, one thing for sure,as W Barclay puts it, he felt himself pulled in two directions, he knew himself to be a walking civil war. Barclay quotes the Roman poet ,Ovid,/I see the better things, and I approve them, but I follow the worse/.This drives Paul to despair, and so you have him crying out v24 /O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death./ I wonder if you feel like Paul , Are you driven in two directions ? are you filled with despair? so what can one do?, well Paul gives us the answer, v25 /I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord/.Again it is W Barclay who writes,/ The inadequacy of human knowledge, of human resolution, and the limatations of diagnosis/. He finishes by stating,/ Jesus is the one person, who not only knows what is wrong, but who can also put the wrong to rights/.[ Dear Father in heaven, grant us victory through Thy dear son Jesus . Amen ]