As a Christian there are things I will not accept as being right,if I was to voice these things I would be labelled as being intolerant.Yet we are all intolerant to something,we are intolerant to violence within marriage,to smoking,to unsociable behaviour,and to many other things.There is nothing wrong with being intolerant,but I know that there can often be a wrong
intolerance, Religious people can be very intolerant,likewise political
movements,both groups can manifest a violent intolerance to those who differ from them,beheading,and condemning people to gas chambers. When I declare that there is only one way to God,that is Jesus,because that's what He taught [John14 v6 ] people get offended, and even become intolerant,at
my belief in Jesus,as the way,the truth,and the life,and that no one can come unto the Father,but by Him. As a follower of Jesus the Bible tells me that to simply say I am Christian,can be like waving a red flag,before a bull.It is reckoned that there are 100,000 Christians in concentration camps in a
certain country,we say just for being a Christian,well it often goes with the
territory. Today let us not shy back from declaring that we are Christians,or from telling others about Christ,because we may be considered intolerant.
A prayer.
Dear God help us stand for Jesus,to identify with Him,to be faithful witnesses Amen
Friday, 6 November 2015
Thursday, 5 November 2015
What translation ? [ Psalm 119 v11 ]
I love the Authorised Version of the Bible,it has served Gods people well,yet I do feel it obscures the truth at times.Now that is not the AV's fault, but the fact that it was written and translated during the reign of King James ,over 400 years ago.I have a anniversary version and many of the words are spelt differently ,the word book is spelt booke,this is just one example.Now I understand peoples concern as regards the word of God anything that may appear to undermine Gods word.Yet the fact remains that the word of God must be readable to the people of now.Now having said that I do not want to discourage you if you just use the AV,as I said I love the AV and thank God for it.J.I.Packer writes,/Some people people feel swamped by so many new versions,and by a natural if irrational reaction are resolved to trust none of them,but stick to the King James version of 1611/.He suggests we should use a number of versions , he includes the AV,
among them,this is what I personally do.I am driven by a desire to understand Gods word,I have read the whole Bible countless of times,but it goes deeper than that,commendable though that may be,to understand Gods
truth is vital.Jesus spoke to people who treasured Gods word but failed to
understand what they read [John 3 v 10]. Whatever translation we may use
may we read it regularly,memorise it,seek to understand it,believe it,and live it.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank you for your word,that reveals Jesus to us,and instructs
us in righteousness,in Jesus name Amen .
among them,this is what I personally do.I am driven by a desire to understand Gods word,I have read the whole Bible countless of times,but it goes deeper than that,commendable though that may be,to understand Gods
truth is vital.Jesus spoke to people who treasured Gods word but failed to
understand what they read [John 3 v 10]. Whatever translation we may use
may we read it regularly,memorise it,seek to understand it,believe it,and live it.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank you for your word,that reveals Jesus to us,and instructs
us in righteousness,in Jesus name Amen .
No grounds for hope. [Romans 4 v- 18 ff / 5v1]
Although it is early November,the shops are selling Christmas cards,the garden centres are like winter wonder lands.My wife and I spent a day buying Christmas presents.The buying Christmas presents is a big challenge
,because we have a large family.Most of the organising for Christmas falls upon my wife,I must confess if I had to do it I would find it very hard,wives are wonderful in the way they can do so much more than us husbands.
Although Christmas is for many, a secular event,it somehow touches people
so causing them to be more generous,and kind to people,and one prays that the true meaning of Christian will be discovered,often it appears a vain hope. Yet I am reminded of the words written about Abraham, that against
hope believed in hope[Romans 4 v18],let us not despair,as to the lost,let us not loose hope.John Calvin comments on those words in Roman 4 v18,puts it like this,/ The meaning is when Abraham had no grounds for hope, Abraham still relied in hope on the promise of hope/.Let not hope die in any of us,Jesus said He would build His Church, even at Christmas,remember
the Holy Spirit even at Christmas,can work in the hearts of the lost.
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given,
So God imparts to human hearts,
the blessing of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls ,will receive Him,still
the dear Christ enters in.
[ Words by Phillips Brooks ]
,because we have a large family.Most of the organising for Christmas falls upon my wife,I must confess if I had to do it I would find it very hard,wives are wonderful in the way they can do so much more than us husbands.
Although Christmas is for many, a secular event,it somehow touches people
so causing them to be more generous,and kind to people,and one prays that the true meaning of Christian will be discovered,often it appears a vain hope. Yet I am reminded of the words written about Abraham, that against
hope believed in hope[Romans 4 v18],let us not despair,as to the lost,let us not loose hope.John Calvin comments on those words in Roman 4 v18,puts it like this,/ The meaning is when Abraham had no grounds for hope, Abraham still relied in hope on the promise of hope/.Let not hope die in any of us,Jesus said He would build His Church, even at Christmas,remember
the Holy Spirit even at Christmas,can work in the hearts of the lost.
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given,
So God imparts to human hearts,
the blessing of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls ,will receive Him,still
the dear Christ enters in.
[ Words by Phillips Brooks ]
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Oppression.[ Ephesians 2 v1ff]
The 20th century was a sad time for many people,take Poland ,UK and France went to war when the Nazies invaded poland,Russia was involved. Under the Nazies the nation experienced great oppression, many non Jews ,suffered greatly.But instead of getting their freedom when the Nazies were defeated, they exchanged one oppressor for another.Now of course Poland had no choice,but that cannot be said of many people.People do have a choice,but unfortunately they make wrong choices. The Bible history of Israel was of a nation who at times sought to clean up their act,
but they never let the Lord take over in their personal lives,or in the nations
life.The result was the latter state of the nation was worse than ever,and so all they did was to exchange one oppressor for another.If one has an addiction one may try to overcome it,but self effort, cannot deal with the empty void , addiction leaves.It was our Saviour who spoke to a thirsty
woman who was drawing water from a well,[ John 4] ,and told her clearly that the secret of satisfaction and freedom was receiving Jesus into her life[v14]Reform does not bring freedom from oppression,only Christ can, if the Son therefore makes you free,ye shall be free indeed[John 8 v 36]
A prayer.
Dear God in a world oppressed by one thing or another,we ask that you may open their eyes and hearts,and accept Jesus who alone can set them truly free,Amen.
but they never let the Lord take over in their personal lives,or in the nations
life.The result was the latter state of the nation was worse than ever,and so all they did was to exchange one oppressor for another.If one has an addiction one may try to overcome it,but self effort, cannot deal with the empty void , addiction leaves.It was our Saviour who spoke to a thirsty
woman who was drawing water from a well,[ John 4] ,and told her clearly that the secret of satisfaction and freedom was receiving Jesus into her life[v14]Reform does not bring freedom from oppression,only Christ can, if the Son therefore makes you free,ye shall be free indeed[John 8 v 36]
A prayer.
Dear God in a world oppressed by one thing or another,we ask that you may open their eyes and hearts,and accept Jesus who alone can set them truly free,Amen.
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Death. [John 11 v25-26]
One of Charles Dickens greatest novel's,is ,/A tale of two cities/,it is a historical novel,and Dickens based his historical detail on Carlyle's great
work- The French Revolution.The French revolution was a bloody affair
with many dear people being executed.In a tale of two cities we have an unlikely hero ,an English man,Sydney Carton,who saves someone from being executed by taking his place,and as he faces the guillotine,Dickens has him uttering,words that is described as throwing a sacredness over all the proceeding's. As Sydney faces death he quotes those sacred words ,spoken by our Saviour,/I am the resurrection,and the life:he that believeth in me,though he were dead yet shall he live[John 11 v25].What hope does the scientists,philosopher's,the money people give to help us as we face death?,none whatsoever.I visited a man recently who has cancer
what hope has he?Christ,and only faith in Christ can gave us hope a sure and certain hope.The question I ask you,have you got this hope?,with that hope Sydney Carton,could say /It is a far, far better thing that
I do,than I have ever done;it is a far , far better rest that I go to than I have ever known./
A prayer.
Dear Lord we thank you when we face the valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil if we know you as our Saviour. Amen.
work- The French Revolution.The French revolution was a bloody affair
with many dear people being executed.In a tale of two cities we have an unlikely hero ,an English man,Sydney Carton,who saves someone from being executed by taking his place,and as he faces the guillotine,Dickens has him uttering,words that is described as throwing a sacredness over all the proceeding's. As Sydney faces death he quotes those sacred words ,spoken by our Saviour,/I am the resurrection,and the life:he that believeth in me,though he were dead yet shall he live[John 11 v25].What hope does the scientists,philosopher's,the money people give to help us as we face death?,none whatsoever.I visited a man recently who has cancer
what hope has he?Christ,and only faith in Christ can gave us hope a sure and certain hope.The question I ask you,have you got this hope?,with that hope Sydney Carton,could say /It is a far, far better thing that
I do,than I have ever done;it is a far , far better rest that I go to than I have ever known./
A prayer.
Dear Lord we thank you when we face the valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil if we know you as our Saviour. Amen.
Monday, 2 November 2015
Grace [ Ephesians 2 v8- 10]
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor ,he also was a lecturer in Berlin.
he opposed Nazi's.He made a broadcast which he used to speak against Hitler,but he was cut of before he finished it.He joined the resistance movement,and was involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler,he was arrested,and was executed shortly before the defeat of Germany.He
believed different things like a religionless Christianity,and that we see Christ as Lord of the religionless.I have heard Christians saying that as Christians we are not religious.He also wrote a book called,/Cost of discipleship/,where he distinguished between,cheap and costly grace. One
has rightly pointed out that his concept of cheap grace was at odds with Luthers doctrine of Justifcation by faith.I believe Bonhoeffer was seeking to
counter the error, that because we are saved by grace alone, we can live whatever way we like. The fact of the matter , grace should not be turned into a work salvation,grace saves us,works should follow as an evidence of our salvation.It cost God everything to save us,it cost us nothing,yet love so
amazing, so divine demands my soul my life my all.
A prayer.
Dear God,we worship you the God of all grace,we acknowledge that we are
saved by your grace,and we ask for grace to follow our Saviour your son Jesus Amen.
he opposed Nazi's.He made a broadcast which he used to speak against Hitler,but he was cut of before he finished it.He joined the resistance movement,and was involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler,he was arrested,and was executed shortly before the defeat of Germany.He
believed different things like a religionless Christianity,and that we see Christ as Lord of the religionless.I have heard Christians saying that as Christians we are not religious.He also wrote a book called,/Cost of discipleship/,where he distinguished between,cheap and costly grace. One
has rightly pointed out that his concept of cheap grace was at odds with Luthers doctrine of Justifcation by faith.I believe Bonhoeffer was seeking to
counter the error, that because we are saved by grace alone, we can live whatever way we like. The fact of the matter , grace should not be turned into a work salvation,grace saves us,works should follow as an evidence of our salvation.It cost God everything to save us,it cost us nothing,yet love so
amazing, so divine demands my soul my life my all.
A prayer.
Dear God,we worship you the God of all grace,we acknowledge that we are
saved by your grace,and we ask for grace to follow our Saviour your son Jesus Amen.
Sunday, 1 November 2015
One of the saddest verses in the Bible. [Matthew 23 v 37]
In Matthew 23 v37 , Jesus said,/O Jerusalem,Jerusalem, thou that killest the
prophets,and stonest them which are sent unto thee,how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under
her wings, but ye would not./ This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible,
it is God speaking testifying against those who were his people.W. Barclay,
writes,/This passage shows us four great truths.
[1] The patience of God.
[2] The appeal of Jesus.
[3] The deliberation of the sin of man.
[4]The consequences of rejecting Christ .
God is patient,so very, very ,patient,and that is clearly seen in his relationship with Israel,and let me add with you and me.
The appeal of Jesus, W. Barclay ,/Here Jesus speaks as a lover,standing with outstretched hands of appeal,they had as we have the awful responsibility of accepting or refusing.
As to the deliberation of sinful man,Jesus was speaking to Jerusalem,but it can be applied to all humanity.In my lifetime I have continually prayed for
Christians who are being persecuted,a evidence of mankind's fallen nature
and enmity towards Christ.
The consequence for the Jews has been awful,judgement would fall,as W. Barclay wrote,/It is a fact of history-even in time-that the nation which
rejects God is doomed to disaster./ This of course applies to everyone not
just nations.
A prayer.
Dear God have mercy upon Israel even though they still reject your love in
Christ,but also have mercy upon this world,in Jesus name Amen.
prophets,and stonest them which are sent unto thee,how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under
her wings, but ye would not./ This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible,
it is God speaking testifying against those who were his people.W. Barclay,
writes,/This passage shows us four great truths.
[1] The patience of God.
[2] The appeal of Jesus.
[3] The deliberation of the sin of man.
[4]The consequences of rejecting Christ .
God is patient,so very, very ,patient,and that is clearly seen in his relationship with Israel,and let me add with you and me.
The appeal of Jesus, W. Barclay ,/Here Jesus speaks as a lover,standing with outstretched hands of appeal,they had as we have the awful responsibility of accepting or refusing.
As to the deliberation of sinful man,Jesus was speaking to Jerusalem,but it can be applied to all humanity.In my lifetime I have continually prayed for
Christians who are being persecuted,a evidence of mankind's fallen nature
and enmity towards Christ.
The consequence for the Jews has been awful,judgement would fall,as W. Barclay wrote,/It is a fact of history-even in time-that the nation which
rejects God is doomed to disaster./ This of course applies to everyone not
just nations.
A prayer.
Dear God have mercy upon Israel even though they still reject your love in
Christ,but also have mercy upon this world,in Jesus name Amen.
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