Pruning time ( Psalm 138 v 8 )

Its that time of year again when I prune my rose  bushes, , cut away any dead wood,it does not kill the rose bush,in fact in should give me a nice lot of roses next year.It reminds me as it may remind you, of what Jesus said in John 15 v 1 - 2,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I am the true vine, and my Father is the                                                                                                    gardener. He cuts off every branch in me                                                                                                  that bears no fruit,while every branch that                                                                                                does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be                                                                                                even more fruitful.                                                                                         These are very meaningful and yet very challenging  words,they cut across the so called prosperity  gospel,of wealth health. If you are a child of God do not be surprised if you are going through a trial,it is not that you are not loved. In fact is an evidence that you are loved ,and that you are His child,because we read the Lord disciplines those He loves ( Hebrews 12 v 6 ).He is in fact  pruning you,cutting away the dead wood, removing the old and bringing  in the new.Those things that He brings into our lives are to make us better than what we are,dear child of God It is in Galatians 5 v 22 - 23 ,we read of the fruit of the Spirit, love,joy,peace,patience, kindness,goodness, and self  control.Let  us be honest,how many of these are missing in our lives ?speaking for myself  too many.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A  prayer                                                                                                                          Dear Father in heaven perfect that which concerneth                                                                               us in Jesus name Amen.                                                                                                                                                                 

Gods. ( Exodus 20 v 1 - 6 )

Raymond Brown writes in his study guide book,'The Bible speaks today', which I would commend to you,'Late twentieth - century has been subtly infiltrated by worthless idolatry- materialism ( the god of ' what I can get' ),hedonism (the god of ' what I enjoy ), social approval ( the god of 'how I  am regarded'), vaulting ambition ( the god of ' what I  must achieve ' ) ,and there are many more'.It is sad that those who were regarded as Gods children, Israel,so often became involved in idolatry, and the wisest of Kings Solomon,acted so unwisely and influenced by his foreign wives,turned to worship other gods. Now as R B wrote gods are not always made of stone or wood,they  take many forms or no form, but make no mistake we worship  them, by our devotion to them.We may have made them gods,but the true God, made us and all things,the world is awash with so called gods,but there is only one God,  From early on Israel were taught to pray,'Hear O Israel; The Lord our God is one.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        God commands                                                                                                                       You shall have no other gods before Me.                                                                                                                  (  Exodus 20 v 3   )

The law. ( Galatians 3 v 10 - 14 )

It was Andrew Jukes who said.'Satan would have us to prove ourselves holy by the law,which God gave to prove we are sinners''John Stott writing on Romans 7 v 7,'if it had not been for the law,I should not have known sin.'States the fact is the law of God condemns us', Dietrich Bonhoeffer  wrote ,'we want to get to the New Testament too soon,we must never bypass the law' The task of the law is to humble us , it is then the gospel is shown to be the answer ,it is there ,through repentance and faith in Christ, we can be forgiven, from being condemned to being accepted by God.Romans 5 v 1 ,tells  us,'since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ'.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Not the labour of my hands                                                                                                                        Can fulfil Thy law's demands;                                                                                                                  Could my zeal, no respite know,                                                                                                                Could my tears for ever flow;                                                                                                                    All for sin could not atone;                                                                                                                        Thou must save , and Thou alone.                                                                                                                  (Augustus M. Toplady )

No brownie points. ( Romans 7 v 18 - 25 )

The law or commandments were not given by God, in order to make us acceptable to God, simple because as we have pointed out, no one is able to keep the law perfectly,no one.The apostle James points out if at anytime in our life's history we break the law in one point we have broke it all ( James 2 v 10 ). So why the law?, one, we need to realise that there are absolutes, things that are wrong in Gods eyes,if we go down the ten commandments, we are seeing ,that when we transgress the law of God, we are sinning. The word of God tells us in our unsaved state we are under the curse of the law,for we read,'cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in Gods Book of the law.  ( Galatians 3 v 10).We are cursed, and in that state there is no hope for us, the wrath of God will continue to rest upon us,in time and in eternity.We will continue this next time,don't despair,wait and see.

The law. ( Romans 1 v 18 - 20 )

Continuing from yesterday as regards breaking Gods law, both outwardly or inwardly,as regards inwardly  our dear Saviour,made it clear that inward sins are equally as wrong in Gods eyes, as committing the offence.Matthew 15 v 18/ 5 v 27.The fact is, it is impossible for anyone not to break Gods law,that is why we are told we are all sinners,Romans 3 v 23.Let us take this further, the spirit of the law, is love,that is to love God with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our minds,and to love others as ourselves ( Matthew 22 v 37 - 40 ) As regards the law we have all broke it,we stand in dock,and the law says we are guilty,and as in society if you break the law,you are punished,so it is when you break Gods law, one is punished,there will be no plea bargaining,  you have broken it ,God is offended, His justice compels Him to punish you,you will be sent to Hell eternally.No heaven awaits you when you die, you will hear from God only words of condemnation,words of no hope,words that will leave you stunned,words that tell you there will be no end to your sentence,no parole, no escape from your fate as a sinner.. We will consider this further next time.

Jay walking. ( Exodus 20 v 1 - 17 )

In our local paper there is a list of people who were fined because of motoring offences,but what many people don't realise that pedestrians can be fined also ,if they cross or walk in the street or road unlawfully without regard for approaching traffic.Many years ago my dear mother got fined for such an offence,its official term is jaywalking.Many people these days ,especially children ride their cycles on the pavement or sidewalk are also committing an offence in law.We may if we are brought to court for either of these offences claim ignorance,and we will be told ignorance is no defence in law. Many people are aware that it is wrong to steal,to kill,to lie,to commit adultery. ,but commit many offences in their hearts,hate,unforgiveness, covetousnes, and many with their lips blaspheme God. Ignorance is no defence before God all who break Gods law will be judged,whither it it is outwardly or inwardly.We will consider this further next time.

Remember ( Luke 22 v 19 - 20 )

Raymond Brown points out that one of  Deuteronomy's key-words is, remember, Israel were about to enter the promise land ,God would give them land houses filled with goods, hewn cisterns they did not hew out,vineyards they did not plant etc.So they are warned not to forget God. ( 6 v 11 - 12 ) R B, states 'that throughout history, affluence has often led to spiritual  indifference ,and moral carelessness.'It is said by one historian ,that the German people did not challenge what Hitler was doing, because they had jobs,and money to spend.My country and indeed most of Europe have forgotten God,because of affluence. One of the basic reasons for the Lord's table is to remember,what is vital to our spiritual well being,or should we say,who is vital to our spiritual well being,Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Lest I forget Gethsemane,                                                                                                                          Lest I forget Thine agony,                                                                                                                          Lest I forget Thy love for me,                                                                                                                    Lead me to Calvary.                                                                                                                                         ( Jenny E. Mussey)