To die is gain.. ( Philippians 1 v 21 - 26 )

I wonder how many could from their heart say, to die is gain ?, these words were penned by the apostle Paul ,while a Roman prisoner. (  Philippians 1 v 21 ) The full verse reads ,' for to me to live is Christ,and to die is gain''  The apostle was sold out to Christ,He was his consuming passion,he did not have a death wish, no he loved life,and lived it to the full.He did not want to die, but death is inevitable,for Paul death would mean  being with Christ, which he declares was better by far. It is J .Parker who writes the following on the Christians death. ' We have recast Christianity into a mould that stresses happiness above holiness, blessings here above blessings hereafter;health and wealth as God's best gifts, and death ,especially early death,not as a thank worth deliverance from  the miseries of a sinful world, but as the supreme disaster.......Is our Christianity out of shape ?. Yes it is,and the basic reason is that we have lost the two world perspective that views the next life as more importance than this one, and understands life here as essentially preparation and training for the life here after'.

Are we downhearted? ( 2 Corinthians 2 v 14 )

There's a room in a Whitehall basement where Winston Churchill used to meet with the war cabinet during the Second World War. On the wall there was a notice, which was place so that all his colleagues could see it clearly. It was a statement  attributed to Queen Victoria, and it reads as follows; 'Please understand that there is no depression in this house. We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist' It sometimes appears that we who are Christians are under so much pressure,everyday I pray for Christians who are persecuted,in this world ,if it is not persecution it can be the cold hand of secularism, eroding the Christian church's standing,so call  followers of Christ, undermining the church's credability. .Yet in spite of this and many other factors ,there is no possibility of defeat,because of Christs death and resurrection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Because of Jesus, victory is assured.

God is Sovereign. ( Isaiah 40 v 10 )

One of the great truths that gripped me as a young believer was the sovereignty of God, Pinks book on the sovereignty was very helpful. A. Motyer writes that God is the,' Mover of History', and John Calvin wrote,'Wars are not stirred up at random , but by the secret influence of God'. Baker comments,'Yahweh is sovereign in the history of the entire world, and freely exercises His will therein'. The fact is if God is  not sovereign then He is not God, Gordon Bridger gives the  scriptures in relation to Gods sovereignty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Lord exercise divine government over the universe at large.                                                                                              Psalm 103 v 19                                                                                                        The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and His kingdom                                                    rules over all.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Over the physical world.                                                                                                                                                                Psalm 104 v 14.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Over the affairs of the nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Job 22 v 28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               For dominion belongs to the Lord ,and he rules over the nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Over individuals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Luke 1 v 52.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,and lifted up                                                        the lowly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Most of this I gleaned from Gordon Bridger                                                                                            in his book on three of the minor prophets in                                                                                            'The Bible speaks today' series.

Without Him ( Ephesians 2 v 12 )

                                               How great are my privileges in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Without Him I stand far off, a stranger, an outcast ;                                                                                   in Him I draw near and touch his kingly sceptre.                                                                                     Without Him I dare not lift my guilty eyes;                                                                                               in him I gaze upon my Father God and Friend.                                                                                         Without Him I   hide my lips in trembling shame;                                                                                      in Him I open my mouth in petition and praise.                                                                                        Without Him all is wrath and consuming fire;                                                                                           in Him  is all love, and the repose of my soul.                                                                                           Without Him is gaping hell below me, and eternal anguish;                                                                     in Him its gates are barred to me by his precious blood.                                                                           Without Him darkness spreads its horrors in front;                                                                                   in Him an eternity of glory is my boundless horizon.                                                                               Without Him all within me is terror and dismay,                                                                                       in Him every accusation is charmed into joy and peace.                                                                           Without Him all things external call for my condemnation;                                                                     in Him they minister to my comfort,                                                                                                         and are to be enjoyed with thanksgiving.                                                                                                   Praise be to Thee for grace,                                                                                                                       and for  the unspeakable gift of Jesus.                                                                                                       (Words from ,'The valley of  vision )
                                             

Don't leave it to late. ( 2 Corinthians 6 v 2 )

I read this recently as regards our Saviour and the prophets, that preached for a verdict, what sort of verdict, that of repentance.,The greatest example of this was the people of Nineveh,the place were Jonah was told by God  to go and proclaim  that because of their wickedness they would be judged by a holy God.When they heard this, the whole city, from the king downwards believed God and turned from their sin.The result was they were spared by God, yes they turned from their sin to God.Sin is a dirty word in these days,but no matter how much we don't like it, the fact is we are sinners by  nature, and by practise. One has said this is a moral universe, those morals God has set up, and when we ignore them , we sin, and that has consequences, severe consequences. unforgiven sin will bring us into judgement,it bars us from a relationship with God,it bars us from going to heaven, and will take us to hell.Are you involved in sexual immorality?,are you a thief?,are you dirty minded?, and filthy of speech?.One has said we live in the age of ' cover up',when we lie and cheat,and deceive,well here is a serious word for you,be sure your sin will find you out,  (Numbers 32 v 23)  When it does ,God will pass judgement on you, and will condemn you to Hell,before that happens you have time to escape that judgement, by turning from your sin,and believe in Jesus for  forgiveness .

Gone to her reward. ( 2 Timothy 4 v 6 - 8 )

A dear friend has passed away,her loss will be felt by many,especially her family.she was not born in this land,she came from Sri Lanka, a place were many Christians suffer in many ways. She was  a faithful Christian who served her God and Saviour.for her it could be said, that she had fought a good fight,she had finished the race,and had kept the faith, but it does not stop there, for we are told that she  will receive a reward, a crown of righteousness, from the Lord of righteousness.My friend did not earn salvation, it is impossible to do that.salvation is a gift,with no merits of ours attached to it. A life of righteousness and faithfulness will be rewarded,when the Christian stands in the Saviours wonderful presence.That is now the experience of my dear friend,who will hear from her Saviour the words, well done good and faithful servant.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Face to face with Christ my Saviour                                                                                                         Face to face what will it be ?                                                                                                                     When with rapture I behold Him,                                                                                                                Jesus Christ who died for me.                                                                                                                           ( Mrs. Frank. A.Beck   )

Truth matters ( Jude 3 )

In our desire to be big hearted  and non -controversial, and of course we do not want to be seen as an unloving person, we identify with those who do not hold to the truth. Consider why is truth important so important that many have been prepared to die for it?.Continually in the Bible error is challenged, error as regards ,the person of God, the person of Christ,the person of the Holy Spirit,the work of  salvation.  How many people believe they do not need Christ to be saved. Many people speak of being ecumenical ,which means all - embracing and all inclusive.They would tell us that all who name the name Christ, should be one,remember the Mormons, JW,s would say they are Christian, but they are not.Remember as Christians we are to hold to the truth of Gods ,the whole truth,and nothing but the truth,so help us God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Barry Webb.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      There is a false tolerance, just as there is a false tolerance.