Face Reality. ( Job 1 - 2 )

Continuing to consider the parable of the two houses in Matthew 7 v 24,we mentioned that both houses experienced a storm. I have already pointed previously why  we have so many wrong things happen in life, because of the fall,when mankind sinned. It was Oswald Chambers who said,'Life is more tragic than orderly',commenting on this Selwyn Hughes said,'Chambers knew that unless we are willing to grapple with this truth and accept it, we will be plagued by inner oughts and shoulds  that  lead us down the road of illusion. We can find ourselves sayings,'It ought not be like this or'Things should be different'- and sadly the only the only thing this kind of demandingness  produces is frustration and anger.......This is reality-  and the sooner we face it, the better. True faith is not  built upon illusion but upon reality'.

Not Yet. ( 2 Corinthians 11 v 2 1 ff )

In the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7 v  24 - 27, we have two  two builders,who built houses, one built on rock, the other on sand, Jesus said that a storm hits both houses,,Kenneth Bailey ,points out that ,'Faith in Jesus does not provide magical protection from the storms of life'.So many Christians are seeking to be free from suffering,,the late  Selwyn  Hughes,wrote the following,''The fall has turned this fair universe of God's into a shambles much about the world is still beautiful,accidents,disasters. And will continue until the time when God brings all things to a conclusion''.Much of the New Testament is full of people who suffered ,why? this a fallen world as Selwyn Hughes  pointed out. We will consider more on this next time.

Be Careful .( 2 Corinthians 6 v 14 )

When I was young we used to sing a little chorus,about a wise man building his house upon a rock, and a foolish man who built his house upon the sand,and how when the rain came the house built on rock stood firm ,but the house on the sand fell down. It ended with the words ,''So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ''. A little chorus relegated to a children's chorus,I wonder if we children understood what that little chorus meant .The words of that chorus were spoken by our Jesus Christ ,we have it recorded in Matthew 7 v 24 ff, and Luke 6 v 46 - 49.There is a connection to these words in Isaiah 28 v 14 - 18.there Israel had made a covenant with Egypt ,Isaiah called it a covenant with death.As one writer points out,'The Egyptians' entire worldview  centered on death and the worship of the gods that governed death. This covenant was a foundation built on sand ,and would result  in disaster. Isaiah declares that the Lord would lay a foundation a stone a tested stone,and whoever believes ,( in it- L X X )will not be shaken. We will continue this the next time,I will end by saying be careful who you join hands with, and who you put your confidence in.

Mistakes ( Matthew 27 v 3 - 5 )

The fact is this we all make mistakes, I am a  football fan, and  everyone on the football field makes mistakes,but the one who receives the most blame for a making a mistakes is the poor goal keeper.Here is a few saying as regards making mistakes,'He who never made a mistake never made a discovery'. 'Show me a man who has never made a mistake, and I will show you one who has never tried anything'.Mistakes like success are part of life,they come in all shapes and sizes, some are serious,some are not so serious. It is a fascinating subject Some people make the same mistake over and over again,and it is ruining their lives.So if that is you, is it not time you stopped making the same mistakes.That may sound simple but it makes a lot of sense, why not face the way you are,ah you may say,I can't help it,then turn to God and ask Him to help you. Of course the biggest mistake in life is keeping Christ out of ones life,because it has severe consequences,for time and for eternity.

To speak or not to speak. ( James 1 v 26 )

To speak or not to speak that is the question ?, we read in James 1 v 19 that we are to be quick to listen ,and slow to speak. These are very important and instructive words,warning against a rashness in our speaking,in other words listen and consider before you let hastiness take over  . Here are a number of verses, I will leave with you ,'Sin is not ended by multiplying words,but the prudent hold their tongues'( Proverbs 10 v 19). 'Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues ( Prov 17 v 28 ). ' Do you see  someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them'( Prov 29 v 20 ) Think how much pain would have been avoided if these words  were heeded.

Trapped ( Romans 4 v 18 - 22 )

I wonder if you ever feel trapped?, something you cannot escape from,you pray and still nothing happens. My mind turned to Joseph a person unfairly imprisoned in ancient Egypt.We read about him in Genesis 37- 50, it is thought that his actual imprisonment lasted 10 years, in prison his feet was shackled and his neck was put in irons. Imagine such an imprisonment for something you did not do,trapped, yes those places , situations, that we find ourselves in, are not easy.But David had spoken to Joseph many years before this, CP Genesis 37 ,it foretold how he would reign over his brothers.This was Gods word to a young man but there he was trapped in prison how could it possible happen?. But it did happen,eventually, in a marvellous way God fulfilled His word. When God gives you a word, no matter how long it takes,no matter what your circumstances may be, it will happen, it will come to pass.

What Jesus said ( Acts 4 v 12 )

Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me  ( John 14 v 6 ), does that mean other religions are wrong, and without Christ you cannot get to heaven,and you will go to Hell?. The answer must be yes,because Jesus said ,no one can come unto the Father but by Him,so it does  include other religions,yes because Jesus said one cannot come unto the Father but by Him. Does that mean every single person who has never accepted Christ is lost,yes because Jesus said you cannot come unto the Father but by Him. I want to repeat what Jesus said, and I stress that point,that it is Jesus who has said this,here it is again, Jesus said,''I am the way the truth and the Life,no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me''

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