Hurdles ( Philippians 3 v14 )

It was the apostle Paul who likened the Christian life as a race  ( 2 Timothy 4 v 7) ,in relation  to it being a race ,one could add to that, and see it as a race with hurdles. If you have been a Christian as long as I have you will realise that there will always be hurdles you have to get over.Disappointments are hurdles that all of us have to face, how do we overcome our disappointments  ? , bring them to God ,and leave them with God,and focus as to what He says in His word,that all things are working together for our good .(Romans 8 v28)yes even our disappointments.Then there are trials ,they are hurdles not ones we have to get over ,but to get through.The question is how do we get through them? ,faith, Peter tells us that trials will prove the genuineness of our faith . (1 Peter 1 v 7)There are many who when trials come fall away, (13 v 21) they are only rice Christians. If our faith is genuine it will show it in our perseverance,in our faithfulness,in our stedfastness.Make no mistake our faith will be tried one way or the other, may we be found faithful,as we go through that hurdle.The next hurdel we will consider ,is when a crisis comes,an extreme example of a man who experienced one crisis after another was Job,how did he deal with what was happening to him. James 5 v 11 reads ,'Ye have heard of the patience of Job'.some translations have perseverance,I am sure those two things are complimentry,In Job 1v20- 22 we read that he worshipped, and he did not sin by charging God with wrong doing.

                                                     'So Spirit, come, put strength in every stride,

                                                      Give grace with every hurdle,

                                                      That we may run with faith to win the prize

                                                       Of a  servant good and faithful'

                                                             StuartTownend  @Keith  Getty

Our chief aim.(Philippians 4 v 20)

 We must remember that those great men like Spurgeon and John Calvin  ,where but men,and they suffered from various illnesses, Spurgeon suffered from gout,rheumatism,Bright disease,and also contacted smallpox.  John Calvin  suffered from migraine,digestive problems,hemorrhoids,chest and psychological pains,kidney stones,gout,and fevers.In spite of all these thing they achieved much  for  God.We know that the apostle Paul suffered from a thorn in the flesh plus all the other things he went through,floggings,stoning,danger from bandits,hunger thirst,shipwreck,being cold and naked.Yet in spite of all that he achived so much,like Spurgeon and Calvin. I'm sure that Spurgeon,and Calvin like Paul proved that the grace of God was sufficient for them and they bore evidence of that. they are examples that God's power was made perfect in their weaknesses.A thought struck me that most people want a quick  fix,  I know I do,yes mircales do happen now and again,but often there are things that must be borne.They may be physical complaints,psychological complaints,and so many other things.In my own life I prayed for many years for a problem to be solved,but it didn't happen. These trials happen for many reasons,one is that we may glorify God  in all our trials and afflictions,for that is the impotant thing in all our lives, it was in our dear Saviours life. ( John 17 v 1-5 )

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Turning back.( Matthew 13 v 1ff)

 Recently my friend met his former Pastor and his wife,it was with sadness when his wife said,they did not believe in God anymore.Many years ago I had a similar experience when someone I knew who had been a bright Christian,was no longer following the Lord.It is very sad when we hear that,there are many, sadly to say, who fall by the wayside,they all have their many reasons, we can read about them,in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13 v 1ff/ Mark 4 v 1ff/ Luke 8 v5ff)Most of us know this parable told by our Lord, that illustrates the different reactions,to those who hear the word of God.that includes those who turn away .In v11 we see how the devil is actively engaged in turning  people away from God.Satan tempts us in many ways  to turn back from following Christ ,in Exodus 32 the people of Israel turned from God to worship a golden calf,imagine leaving God for a golden calf,Peter Lewis writes the following,'Where would we be without the gracious presence of the Lord in our lives? God knows, but you may have an inkling! So,when Satan offers you the golden calf or an alternative loyalty, when you are tempted to turn your back on all the kindness and grace of the One God,when  you are tempted by the world to 'chuck' Christianity, remember it is a thousand times better to 'chuck' the golden calf'.

The whole council of God.( Luke 16 v 19 - 31)

 We had a heavy storm with thunder and some lightening recently,later on I jokingly said to my wife,'I thought it was the end of the world'.It is interesting that Noah and the ark is often depicted in a lighthearted  manner, like  the man holding up a placard,with the words ,'The end is nigh',is not taken seriously.When Lot went and told his sons-in-law that judgement was going to fall on Sodom and that they should leave that place,they treated it as a joke. Genesis19 v 14.It is sad that even ministers shun preaching on the time when God will destroy this world (2 Thessalonians 1 // 2Peter 3 v10). This teaching is totally excluded by most preachers,why?,because they don't want to offend.Recently I read in a devotional ,that when Paul preached at Athens,the center of  Greek philosophy, he didn't preach hell,it appeared the writer was given those who dare to preach about hell a rebuke, its as if he was saying,we should'nt offend people with such a thing. It appears that it takes a brave man  to tell people about hell and judgement,and the end of the world.I wonder how those who play down the coming end of this world,of sin,judgement, and hell will fare when they stand before the great judge Christ?. It was Paul the apostle in his farewell speech to the elders of  the Ephesian church said, 'Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all ,for I did not shrink from declaring the whole council of God'.

Make me a channel.( John 3 v30)

 Piet Mondrian said ,'The position of the artist is humble.He is essentially a channel, 'it reminded me of a hymn we used to sing,it really is a prayer ,which we could all pray. .

                                          'Make me a channel of your peace.

                                          Where is hatred,let me bring your love

                                         Where there is injury, your pardon Lord;

                                         And where there is doubt,true faith in you;

                                         Make me a channel of your peace.

                                         Where there's despair in life,let me bring hope;

                                         Where there is darkness,only light;

                                         And where there's sadness, ever joy;

                                         Make me a channel of your peace.

                                         It is in pardoning,that we are pardoned

                                         In giving to all men that we receive ,

                                         And in dying that we're  born to eteraal life

                                         O Master,grant that I may never seek

                                         So much to be console as to console;

                                         To be understood as to understand;

                                          To be loved,as to love with all my soul'

                                           

                                        

                                         

Are you in debt?.( Isaiah 1 v18)

In Matthew 6 v 12 we read,'Forgive us our debts', there used to be a time when people would not get into debt,they would save up enough money to buy what they wanted.But today it is different now, most people get into debt ,and also get into trouble,and they have to declare themselves bankrupt. That's when their borrowing stops,until the next time. In the 14th century debtors could end up in the debtors prison,where they would stay until the debt was repaid.(we have it mentioned also in Matthew 18 v 34) According to one commentator the words,'Forgive us our debts', can be translated ,'forgive us our sins',we are told that all  have sinned and come short of the glory of God,(Romans 6 v23). That means  everyone is in debt, and it is a debt that we can't pay,it is impossible for us to pay that debt, be it a large debt or a small debt.The debt must be paid to God,and yet none of us can pay that debt. Charles Spurgeon asks the following  question. 'How much do you owe to my Lord? Has He forgiven you your sin?'well has He?,do you think that he has forgotten your sins?,or ignored your sins?.The answer is no ,if we die with that debt unpaid,we will carry that debt with us into eternity. The wonderful thing is, God is prepared to pay your debt, the way He does this is by His dear Sons death on the Cross.when He shed his precious blood .Right now you can have your debt(sins) paid if you ask Jesus to be your Saviour, you will be debt free,you will be released from the debtors prison.

                                              

                                              '  He paid the debt He did not owe

                                                 I own the debt I could not pay.

                                                 I needed someone to wash my sins away

                                                 And now I sing a brand new song

                                                                Amazing Grace

                                                 Jesus paid the debt I could never pay'.

                                                                 Conrad Fisher.

Not my will. ( Psalm27 v 11)

Corrie  Ten Boom  and her family lived in the Netherlands,during the occupation by the German's ,the family chose to hide Jews from going to the  concentration camps.Someone informed on them,the result was Corrie and Betsie were taken to Ravensbruck where Betsie died ,but Corrie survived she was released ,it turned out it was a clerical error.A week after she was released,all the women of Corrie's age group were sent to the gas chamber.It reminds me how we will not go until God  permits, our times are in God's hands,and that has been delegated to the Son of God (Revelation 1 v 17). The question one may ask why did the Lord  not permit Betsie to live?, because  it was not His will for Betsie to live,we must all accept that,   though it may be very painful,and we argue ,but they were so young,so gifted,you needed them, you loved them, remember these words,'His good,pleasing and perfect will.(Romans 12 v2) Corrie was spared, God had an important ministry to for her to fulfill,it was a world wide ministry,and she lived to the grand age of 91.God did not use an angel to rescue Corrie ,but a simple clerical error. He does not always rend the heavens,He uses what He our soverign God chooses to use,and His timing is perfect.

                                      '  My will is not my own till Thou hast made it Thine;

                                        If it would reach the monarch's throne, it must its crown resign;

                                        It only stands unbent, amid the clashing strife,

                                       When on Thy bosom it has leant,and found in Thee its life.'

                                                                George Matheson