Gods discipline. [Hebrews 12 v 5-12. ]

I do not like going to the dentist, but I go, because it will do me good, it was
the practise in the past to give children cod liver oil ,the reason being it was considered good for them. Our parents would tell us to eat our vegetable's because they said ,they were good for us. In the book of Hebrews chapter 12v5-12 the writer touches on something that is painful, discipline ,He reminds them to not make rash , quick judgements when we experience Gods discipline. Yes unlike many preachers, and church ministries who rarely touch on this subject, the writer of Hebrews teaches that God does discipline us. The readers of Hebrews were experiencing hardship, how should they view hardship and suffering?, the writers answer is very simple, the discipline of God. He reminds them that just as our Fathers
disciplined us believing it to be necessary, so our Heavenly Father
disciplines us for our own good, the fact that He disciplines us is an evidence that we are His children. R. Brown writes,'' The whole experience
of hardship, suffering and discipline is essentially purposive. No matter how
painful the experience may be, God will use it. In His sovereignty  nothing
is wasted or useless. When confronted by trials we must think of their immediate benefit, ultimate outcome and permanent effect.'' All discipline is
painful, but Gods  ultimate purpose to produce in all His children ,in the
words of D. Brown,''  both an inward peace and moral uprightness,'' seen from that point of view, we are reminded as D.B,writes ''we cannot possibly have suffered in vain''.

                                        Romans 8 v28.
                           And we know that all things work
                           together for good, to those who love
                                             God.

The unexpected [Luke 12 v16-21 ]

The scripture tells us something that is so obvious,'' Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth''[Proverbs 27 v1] How few people ever give consideration to these words of wisdom, they are not meant to make us a nervous wreck. they are given as a needful reminder, of the uncertainty of life. People are boasting all the time, making their plans, with no real thought of God, or their spiritual well being. In the days of Noah, we read,'' they married wives, and were given in marriage, until the very day when the flood came, and destroyed them all[Luke 17 v28-29] I heard recently that a close friend of one of my grandsons and two others ,were killed in a car crash. It is so very sad, yet it reminds us, no matter how we try to ignore, that life is so uncertain. All these uncertain events are Gods messengers to all of us, reminding us that we need to be ready, from the uninvited happenings.As C. Bridges writes,'' Heaven and Hell are no trifles. Tomorrow presumed upon, today neglected, ruins all,
Standing on the brink of the precipice - how precious the moment for
prayer-ere the door of mercy is closed for ever''.

                         ''Where will you spend eternity?''

Living Water [John 4 ]

As I passed a van of a local water company, I notice the words printed on the side of the van,'' Living Water''. These are  unusual yet meaningful words for without water we would all die. Without water this planet earth would die, we would be just a dust bowls like Mars and the Moon. Many people are dying in Africa at this time because of severe drought. And in other places many are dying because people are drinking polluted water. This planet has plenty of water, but most of it is sea water, and so we cannot drink it, the scientist have discovered a materially that can separate the salt from sea water, it will be interesting to see if this can be developed. In Johns  Gospel chapter 4 ,Jesus spoke to a woman who had come to draw water from a well. He spoke to her about living water, He went on to say that if she received this water she would never thirst again. What do you think He meant? the woman did not understand, well it involved two things.
The first it would satisfy, are you satisfied?, next he relates it to eternal life, now eternal life mean more than just living for ever, it involves our total well being. Listen to the words of Jesus ,''If you knew the gift of God, ......you would have asked him and he would have given you living water''

                                 ''Ask and it will be given to you''
                                      [Matthew 7 v7 ]

                            

I know His name [ Matthew 1 v 21-23 ]

One of my grandsons was having a conversation with a friend, and his friend said to him,'' I believe in a higher power,'' my grandson replied,'' I believe in a higher power, and I know his name''. Of course his name is Jesus ,consider the following ,

                                    And He will be called
                                    Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty
                                    God, Everlasting Father ,Prince
                                    of Peace.
                                           [Isaiah 9 v 6]

                                    In the beginning was the Word,
                                    and the was with God, and the
                                    Word was God, He was with God
                                    in the beginning.
                                           [John 1 v1]
                                   
                                   The Word became flesh and made
                                   his dwelling among us.
                                           [ John 1 v 14 ]

                                   He is the image of the invisible God
                                   ..........For by Him all things were
                                  created.
                                          [Colossians 1v 15-16 ]

                                  Thomas said to Him,'' My Lord
                                  and my God''
                                          [John 20 v28 ]

                                Yes I believe in a higher power, and
                                               I know His name.


                             

If only. [2 Samuel 12 v 13- 23 ]

I was thinking how meaningful the words,'' if only'', are, and how many people think them, and are effected by them. We think about our past, or even our present, and we think,'' if only''. Think about those who committed a crime and are now paying the price. Look at world history, take Hitler, how many people thought of the awful pain that maniac would  cause , If only he had been killed during the first world war, if only, he had never been born, if only people had ,read his book ,''Mein Kampf',and took him serious. The words ,''if  only'', can  be applied to many situations ,''if only '',many are thinking ,if only I  had never not been born. If only, knowing what I know now, I could live my life over again. So many, if only, ']regrets, and so it is ,but the question we ask, what is the purpose, for living in that unhappy valley called,'' if only''. The answer is very simple, better not dwell on the ,'if only' s '  in life, better by far, to leave them in Gods hand. Consider the words of Paul in Philippians 3 v12ff.

                                               A  prayer.
Dear God help us not to dwell in  the past 'if only 's' in Jesus name Amen .

Avoidance. [ John 26 v33-35/ 69-75]

We are encouraged to pray to our Heavenly Father,' lead us not into temptation,' God will help us, this I believe, but we have a responsibility, to avoid those things in which we have a particular weakness. For example if I had a problem with alcohol it would not be a good idea not to work in a pub. A child abuser was challenged as to why he started up a children's home, when we was child abuser, He said he started the home up not to abuse children,but simply , because he enjoyed working with children. It was a very poor excuse,and does not hold water, it would surely have been better for him to avoid children altogether. He knew his weakness, as he had worked with children in different positions, there he had abused children. So why start a home up, one can only assume he was doing it so he could more easily prey on children. Solomon wrote of the dangers of falling into sin, and warned his readers ,yet he himself fell. [1 Kings 11v1-8 ]Knowing ourselves should help us know, it is always best for us to be like Joseph, who fled from Potiphar's wife, she had tempted Joseph to have a sexual relationship.[Genesis 39v6ff]
                                       A  thought.
                               He sinned, and fell, so may I.

Palm Sunday. [ Zechariah 9 v 9]

On Palm Sunday we are reminded that the coming of Christ and his saving
ministry is a fulfilment of the Old Testament. When Jesus met with the two people on the road to Emmaus [Luke24],after his death and resurrection, He
spoke to them, and reminded them how what had happened to Him ,was a fulfilment of the scriptures. He them gave them a Bible lesson,beginning with  Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning Himself.[Luke  24 v27].So it is when we read of Jesus entering Jerusalem we have a fulfilment  of what was foretold in Zechariah 9 v9.His birth was foretold, the events of His life was foretold,
His death was foretold, His resurrection was foretold, and His coming again is foretold. When we think of Palm Sunday we are reminded of a number of things, yes its fulfilment, as declared by Zechariah, The righteousness of Jesus ,let us remember that He was without sin, and then we read, having salvation, the greatest need you and I have is to be saved, there is only one Saviour ,Jesus. Next we read He was gentle, He did not come with weapons of war, for He is the Prince of peace, He treated all with gentleness, we read in 2 Corinthians 10v1,of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. There He was riding into Jerusalem, the crowds where cheering and praising Him, but soon they would turn on Him, and cry crucify Him, He knew this yet bravely He rode on, to face His destiny, the cross, because of His love for you and me.

                                          A prayer
Dear God on this Palm Sunday, we  praise for your wonderful Son Jesus
who died that we may be forgiven all our sins Amen.