Obey God (Mark 12 v17)

 In Acts 5 v12-16 we read how the apostles performed many  signs  and wonders among the people,the result was  many healings took place,the people laid the sick out on the ground hoping that Peter's shadow might fall upon them ,that they might be healed. In verse 16 we read,' all of them were healed'What a wonderful thing was happening,the people must have been utterly happy to see their loved ones healed, but there was those who were not happy.Things hadn't changed for we read that the religious hierarchy were not pleased in fact they were filled with jealousy of the success the apostles  were having,some  translation  have indignation,because the apostles had not obeyed them (Acts 4 v18).Next they had them thrown in Jail,but then another miracle happened,the Lord sent an angel and set them free.They were told to go the temple and tell the people about  this new life..But again they were arrested and brought before their accusers.who reminded them that they were not to teach in Christ name,Peter and the other apostles replied:We must obey God rather than human beings'.(v29)Let me just stop there,and let us take those words in, and let us apply it to all our lives,yes we are to be good citizens,obey the laws of our country,but when laws are brought in challenging our obedience to God,then we must obey God,many people are doing that ,and they are paying a heavy price.

Then shall we know ( Deuteronomy 29 v 29)

 1 Corinthians 13 v12,reads 'Now I know in part; then shall I know fully'. There is so much we know but there is so much we don't know ,and  we will never know till we get to glory. Many cannot understand why a loved one has been taken or why things ended badly in certain situations. There are many why's in life,it doesn't have to be some major thing,I have bought cars and  and some turned out really bad, I can assure you I always prayed  before I bought them , a few of them were pretty bad,I ask why?,I don't know.When I was young  I loved going to the pictures, for us it was another word for the cinema .I used to enjoy the cartoons ,but the main  thing we wanted was the big picture. So it is with life we want to see the big picture,the answer to all our whys,why did such a thing happen,?why did God not intervene in certain situations.The scripture tells us as regards life here on planet earth,there is much we do not understand and that's the way it will always be,but it appears that one day we shall know fully.So what is required of  us?,the answer is ,'Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3 v 5)

The day of trouble .( Psalm 34 v15 -19)

 Words  from Psalm 50 v 14-15 a psalm by Asaph, reads,' Sacrifice thank offerings to God,fulfil your vows to the most high,and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you,and you will honour me'. Consider the opening words,'Sacrifice thank offerings to God',now we don't sacrifice animals',but let us take the  meaning,so what thank offering can we offer to God?. Romans 12 v 1 reads,'in view of God's mercy,offer your bodies as living sacrifice ,holy and  pleasing to God'. In light of what we owe God it is the least we should  give,as Isaac Watts wrote,'Love so amazing so divine ,demands my soul,my life ,my all. Next let us consider the following ,'Call upon Me in the day of trouble,I  will deliver you,' what a clear emphatic promise from God,there are no ifs ,or buts about it,it is declaring a certainity,it will not fail to happen,He will not go back on His word,what He says he will do,we can count on it. Standing outside the burial place of a friend called Lazarus,He told his sister Martha ,'Your brother will rise again',she thought He was speaking of the general resurrection.,So there came a point when He told them to take  away the stone that covered the entrance were His friend was.All Martha could think of was the decomposing body of her brother,but Jesus said to her,'Did I not tell you that if you would believe,you will see the glory of God',and they did. 

                                                    The same Jesus is saying to you ,

                                                     call upon me,I will deliver you'.

                                                     

Witnessing (1 Corinthians 9 v 19 -23)

 I attended a breakfast gathering in the fellowship I attend, the guest speaker was the chaplain from a local hospital.One of the things he said was that when  he commenced his position he needed to unlearn many things, I listened intently as to what he had to say, Much of what he had to say was interesting and provocative,but it seemed that it lacked something.But it had many things that were good,like when we witness we are part of a chain, in other words,one sows another reaps.also a simple prayer can touch peoples lives,and the importance of listening.also not to be judgemental.He spoke about becoming  all things to all men and encouraged us to look at 1 Corinthians 9 v 19-23, where Paul stressed  the lengths he would go to,in order for people to be saved.In other words it would give him the opportunity,to tell them about Christ.I have witnessed to many people,and in witnessing to them I have tried to be wise ,and always sought to make clear of their need of forgiveness and the importance of trusting in Jesus, Let me say this no matter how nice we are in presenting Christ ,people can take offence,but at least they have heard the gospel, and that's the important thing.Of course our lives must speak,the good works we do ,will speak ,and  we must at all times witness from a heart of love. Our dear Saviour said the folllowing as regards dealing  with people that we were to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10 v16).I am sure that those words should apply as to how we witness to people,

The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31 v31-34)

 Our  Bible is made up of two parts,which we call the Old Testament and the New Testament,there is nothing wrong with that,and yet  I believe that instead of the word ,'Testament', being used the word  covenant  would be more appropriate. The word testament is an old English word meaning covenant,it is in the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31 v 31)we have God declaring  ,'The days are coming,'declares the Lord,when I make a new covenant with Israel'. A covenant is an agreement between two people ,in this case it is God making a new covenant between  Israel and Himself,the superior to the lesser.Our Saviour spoke of the New Covenant in Luke 22 at the passover meal ,we read,'In the same way ,after the supper He took the cup,saying,'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'.v20.so it was that the New Covenant was instituted by His death on the cross.The book of Hebrews declares clearly that the old covenant was obsolete and outdated (  Hebews 8 v13) The old covenant was inaffective,it is now about the person of Christ who is greater than angels,Moses,the Sabbath is fulfilled in Christ who is now our Sabbath (Matthew 11 v28-30). The old priesthood is gone,a new priesthood has come into being ,a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek ( Psalm 110 v4 ).The sacrifical system was finished it was ineffective (Hebrews 10),the death of Christ on the cross effectively dealt with sin,once and for all.(Hrbrews 9 v28/ 10 v 14).There is no longer a need of a temple,for every Christian is a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. (1 Corinthians6 v19).The old covenant is gone the new covenant has come in,likewise the old covenant  Israel is finished ,the New covenant  Israel has come into being,where Jew and Gentile are one,when by faith in Christ we all become children of Abraham. ( Galatians 3 v29),and we all become children of God.(Gal 4 v 4 -6)

It is not optional.(Luke 23 v 34)

 In Matthew 5 v 43-48 our Saviour spells out what should be our attitude to those who are, our enemies,it is very challenging.He starts by telling us what some people were saying,'Love your neighbours and hate your enemies.In Lev 19 v18  we read ,'Love  your neighbour as yourself; I am the Lord '. but differnt groups did not appreciate that, they limited the use of  neighbours to those of their own kind.But our Saviour in telling the story of the good Samaritan gives a fuller and wider meaning, of who is ones neighbour  it could include ones enemy.That's a challenge which many found hard to do accept,but Jesus points us to the greatest example of what our loving heavenly Father does. 'He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good,and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous'He stresses how its easy to love those who love you,and says 'What good will that get you?. Before one becomes a Christian ,we are God's enemy ( Romans 5 v10),and what did God do? He loved us and forgave us our sins. So it is ,that we are to follow our heavenly Fathers example,and love our enemies.

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Don't worry (Matthew 6 v34)

 'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own'.(Matthew 6 v34) These are the words spoken  by our Saviour,He has been instructing his disciples and the crowds that gathered,He challenges them to not lay treasures on earth,and to worry what they  will eat or drink,and to focus on how God  feeds the birds of the air,He uses the term your heavenly Father,and reminds them that they are more important than the birds of the air.He speaks about the futility of worry,it doesn't accomplished anything.He tells then not to be like the pagans who are engrossed in seeking what they should eat and what they should wear,and reminds them that their loving heavenly Father knows what they need.Then He challenges them to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness and He will look after them. ( Matthew 6 v25 -34).

                                                    'Lord, for tommow and its needs

                                                     I do not pray;

                                                     Keep me,my God,from sin of stain,

                                                     Just for today'

                                                        Words Charles W.Everest.