A Tug between two worlds. [ John 14 v6 ]

The American poet James Russell Lowell wrote the following.
                          Truth forever on the scaffold,
                          wrong forever on the throne.
Now if we stopped there it would not be very encouraging, but it goes unto
to say.                 Yet that scaffold sways the future
                            and behind the dim unknown,
                            Standeth God within the shadow,
                            Keeping watch above His own.
What do you think of these words?,looking at history it does appear there is an evil in the world,and that evil often appears to rule,the Hitlers,Stalin's, get into power.They seek to destroy the truth and cause their followers to follow there perverted reasoning.When error takes the place of truth in men's hearts wrong abounds ,in our modern day millions  are enslaved by falsehood.What is truth said Pilate,he asked Jesus,who died to forgive,and free all men .Yes it appears that evil reigns,but the poet mentions God, to the natural eye,and the suffering masses, God appears an absentee landlord.Many people ask, as Philip Yancey writes in his book,'Where is God when it hurts?, I can only answer it this way,it is a question of faith,without it there is no answer other than, evil reigns.Philip Yance writes that it is a ''Tug between two worlds'',the question is in which world are you .?
                                               A  prayer.
Dear God we come to you by faith ,trusting in Jesus,trusting in You our sovereign God Amen.

Encouragement . [Matthew 7 v 7-8 ]

John Calvin said, ''Certainly anyone who wants to be a good teacher ought
to treat his pupils in such a way as always to encourage rather than discourage them.There is nothing that has a greater effect in  alienation us
from listening to teaching them to see that we are thought of as hopeless''.
This is so true ,lets face it we all need encouragement,at times,the nature of life ,is uncertain,and filled with a multitude of situations that can throw us,
and what we desperately need is words of encouragement.Are you facing
difficulties,feeling isolated and alone?well here is the good news,you are not alone,there is one with,who is there to help you,his name is Jesus,He is with you right now.Next what is the difficulty you are facing? ,are you
overwhelmed?,let me remind you,that the one who is with you ,can help you.What about tomorrow?yes what about tomorrow,He will not run away from you,no he will stick by you come what may,and he gentle reminds you that ,it is one day at a time. Your part in all this ,is simple,trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding,in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.[Proverbs 3 v5-6 ]

                                   Be strong and of good courage
                                   ......For the Lord your God is
                                   with you wherever you go.
                                         [Joshua 1 v9 ]
                                                                                                                                                 

Rewarded [1 Corinthians 3 v10-15 ]

I read this recently by Raymond Brown,''If Gods righteous justice is such that man's spiritual rebellion must not be ignored,then it is equally true that in the light of that same justice man's devoted service will not be overlooked''.It is important to stress that he is not talking about salvation,but
service,only Christ and His finished work on Calvary saves[Ephesians 2 v8-9].No, this is about those who are already saved, as  Christians we are  called to serve,on a coming day God will reward our faithful service. In 1 Corinthians 3 v10-15,we are told how all we done for our Saviour will be tested as to its worth in Gods estimation,not ours.What is of no worth will
be burnt up,what remains,will be rewarded.As Leon Morris points out God is looking for quality not quantity,this illustrated in the account in Mark 12 v41-42,it tells how Jesus observed people putting money into what were known as the ,'The Trumpets',thirteen collecting boxes,each had a different
purpose one to buy oil,corn,or oil for the sacrifices.Many gave in considerable sums,but Jesus observed a poor widow ,putting in two small coins  of little value,it was this lady who was commended by Jesus,because
as William Barclay points out,her offering was sacrificial,and reckless.So the question is for all of us to consider,how much of our giving and service will stand the fiery judgement of God?
                                               A  prayer
Dear God we thank you that we are not saved by our works,yet help to see that each day we are called to be servants,and that service will be rewarded,
in Jesus name Amen

I am sending you. [Matthew 10 v16]

I was at the till in a popular store,,and a short conversation took place, between me and the young fellow on the till.Without thinking I asked him
did he know the Lord Jesus ,he mentioned something about being a Chritian but not attending a church.I said how important it was to know Christ,a short conversation,but I prayed about it,and left it with God.There are many people you may only meet once,and it is an opportunity to just say a word.
The thing is, they need to hear  about Christ,I planted a seed,someone else
may water it,but it will be God who will cause it, to bring forth life. We are
on a mission ,or we should be,to tell others about Christ,lets not shy back
from telling others.Our dear Saviour when He was sending his disciples ,
said''I am sending you out like sheep among wolves,Therefore be as shrewd as snakes,and as innocent as doves'',[Matthew 10 v16]There are many people who can be like wolves,we are forewarned as regards this,so don't be surprised when you encounter  such people.We do need Wisdom,and being
told to act wisely in seeking the lost,and our lives must manifest a godly
reality.
                                         A prayer.

Lord in my work for Thee,so teach me that I may display the wonderful blend of serpent and dove, which thou here commends...Never allow me to become to others like a wolf,but may I  conquer by the meekness of a lamb
Amen 
                                [Words by C.H.Spurgeon ]

He understands because.[Hebrews 4 v16 ]

We are truly blessed because as Raymond Brown writes ''There is a man in heaven ,who understands us and knows our trial''.He is none other than Jesus,who is called our great High Priest  [Hebrews 4 v14 ],the  old Jewish
priesthood is replaced by a one man priesthood which was foretold in the OT,[CP Psalm110v4].We are told that,' we do not a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses,but we have one who has been tempted in every way,just as we are-yet without sin'[ Hebrews 4 v15]Now RB points out,the writer of Hebrews is not implying that Christ encountered every possible different temptation.....Yet at the root of every different temptation encountered by men and women throughout the wide range of human experience there are a number of basic trials or tests,and Jesus knew what it was to meet these and emerge victoriously from the struggle''
T.H.Robinson writes,''Christs whole life was one of temptation.....no one on
earth,before or since,has ever been through  such spiritual desolation and human anguish[ Luke 22 v44/ Matthew 27 v46] For this reason He can help
us in our temptations,He is aware of our needs because He has experienced to the full the pressures and testings of life in this godless world''

                           ''He is the Christ who walked were we did,
                            so go to Him and lay your burden down,
                            and receive the help you need.''
                                        
                            

An abundance of rain.[ James 5 v 16[b]-18 ]

A minister I know who for a number of years had a settled ministry, is now exercising an itinerant one, now he is returning to churches,that he preached in 20years ago.He made this sad but telling observation,when he ministered
there 20yrs ago he was the youngest person there,now 20 yrs later he is still the youngest person there,which is a clear indication that there has been no growth.If there is no growth then eventually the church fellowship will no longer exist,the building will be left dormant,and will ether be knocked down,and new houses built on it.In the last church in which I was a joint leader we were not growing,so we let someone else take over,and there have been signs of growth.I am sure that there are many reasons why there is no growth,society has changed,people do not see the need of God,and the need is there of course.Wales experienced a revival many years ago,but there has like the rest of the UK a steady decline,all we are left with is memories.Yet just recently I have heard reports of God moving and saving.it reminds me of the time  when Elijah prayer for rain,after a great drought,initially nothing, but as he prayed,a small cloud appeared the size of a mans hand,so he continued to pray,then there was an abundance of rain.
                                         A prayer.
Dear almighty God,hear the prayers of your people,send a mighty movement of your Spirit and save the lost,in Jesus name Amen.

Turn the other cheek. [ Matthew 5 v38- 39 ]

In Psalm 59v 4,we read David praying,''I have done no wrong yet are they ready to attack me''.Hitler made the Jews a special target,accusing them of so much evil,and out of that belief he not only attacked them,but sought to destroy them.But the fact is they did not do him, or the German nation any wrong.History is full of people being attacked,who did no wrong,in my time as leader of a church there was one lady who attacked ,not physically,but
by gossipping and telling untruths about me.It is not very nice,one can be the nicest person who ever lived and it will not shield them from attack.
Such was the experience of Jesus,what did He do to deserve the pain people
caused Him.When He was arrested ,neither Pilate nor Herod found no fault
in Him,but that did not stop the crowds crying out for His blood,that blood
would be on their hands for ever.Consider His response,''Father forgive them,for they do not know what they are doing[Luke 23 v34].Writing to slaves who had no rights,and could suffer all sorts of unfair abuse,Peter wrote the following.''Christ suffered for you ,leaving you an example,that you should follow in His steps .He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.When they hurled their insults at Him,He did not
retaliate ; He made no threats.Instead He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly.''
                                       A prayer
Dear Lord forgive us for retaliating,help us to be more like You Amen