Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run  with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12 v 1.

Elijah ran and ran and outran King A’hab, when the rain for which he had prophesied and prayed came. And the hand of the Lord was upon E’li’jah; and he ran before A’hab to the entrance of Jez’re-el’. 1 Kings 18 v 46.

John an elderly friend, aged 84, was telling me of his experience when he had a heart attack. He was aged around 57 at the time of the attack and was in hospital. The consultant was warning him of the dangers of smoking and the need to take things easy. To do everything slowly so as not to put a strain on the heart.

Tom, who was also recovering from a heart attack, was lamenting this strict regime creeping about slowly which led to his depression.  On leaving the hospital Tom found the restrictions not to smoke, not to drink, not to exert yourself, not to do anything suddenly, so distressing that one day he decided he had had enough

He would end it all so he set out from his home and ran as fast as he could, running further and further. He was soon out of breath but continued to run, until he was exhausted and fell in a heap on the ground. As he lay there panting, his chest heaving, gasping for breath, he realised that there was nothing wrong with him. He got up walked home and started living a normal life

Know ye not, that they, which run in a race, run all, but one receives the prize? So run that ye may obtain. 1 Cor 9 v 24

Mary Magdalene ran with what she thought was bad news, little realising she had good news. John 20 v 2.

Then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the Sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him Math 28 v 8

The messengers who ran to tell the bad news…The messenger fell at the Kings feet and said All is well and then told the King that his favourite son, Ab’sa’lom was dead! 2 Sam 18 v 26 /33

And there came one running to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Mark 10 v 17

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18 v 10,

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.   Hebrews 12 v 1

Secret Treasures

The Lord had graciously healed Hezikiah and allowed him another 15 years of life. Isaiah the prophet had told him to set his house in order and then returned when Hezikiah had wept and turned his face to the wall and cried out for mercy. “Remember me Oh Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. Isaiah 38 v 3

This was a wonderful answer to prayer but did it really profit Hezikiah?

Like the woman caught in adultery whom the Lord did not condemn, but told her, “Go and sin no more”. John 8 v 11

The man at the pool of Bethdsida, “Behold thou art made whole: sin no more lest a worst thing come upon thee”. John 5 v 14

For some unknown reason Hezikiah made a terrible mistake and showed his treasure to the kings emissaries.

“He was glad and showed them his house and the precious things, the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and al that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezikiah showed them not”. Isaiah 39v 2

What foolishness is this? Was it pure pride? How indiscreet and irresponsible to allow these powerful men to come and inspect his wealth. A jeweller would be foolish to display his opulence to some thieves’ buglers and crooks. “There was nothing in Hezikiah’s kingdom that he did not show them!  But God had a purpose in this to try him and that; “He might know all that was in his heart.

2 Chron 32 v 26/31.  Isaiah 39 v 2

“I the Lord search the heart”. God had to intervene, he sent Isaiah to him with a question. “What mean these men? And from whence came they unto thee? What have they seen in thine house. Isaiah 39 v 5

The King was rebuked and warned. “Hear the Word of the Lord of host, Behold the days come, that all in thine house, and that which thy father had laid up in store unto this day shall be carried to Babylon: Nothing shall be left saith the Lord. Isaiah 39 v 5

We are required by God to be good stewards, “Take from him the one talent and give it to him that has ten”, was the verdict of Jesus in the parable of the talents. Math 25 v 28

Hezikiah was a steward of the treasure of the nation, he should have guarded it well. We are stewards to. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of ourselves. What a treasure. Should we invite Satan and his demons to come and inspect our treasure? Should we allow the enemy of our souls to view the kings treasure? 2 Cor 4 v 7

At least Hezikiah reacted to this news with grace, ”Good is the Word of the Lord which thou hast spoken”. Isaiah 39 v 8

The Fault Line

In many places in the world there lies hidden beneath the sub strata the fault line. In Turkey recently the earth moved one and a half metres. The crust of the earth, cracking that will move and cause those terrible earthquakes.

Thousands may die in a moment of time, houses are demolished like a pack of cards, rivers will burst their banks and men and women lie trapped in the debris. When I witness these things I realise afresh the awesome power of God’s creation, compared with the tiny insignificant efforts of man. What can man do? Only stand and look at the rubble and bury the dead.

The foolish virgins built their houses on the sand, “And great was the fall of it”. Sand is unstable it shifts with the prevailing wind, it will not hold up huge buildings. Many people have built their lives upon sand. ”. Math 7 v 27

Did you ever consider that there might be a fault line in your heart? Suddenly without warning. A crack, a movement a shaking, and then your house is falling into ruin. There is much damage evidenced today with broken marriages or rubble after a broken relationship. Young women burdened with the guilt of an abortion, or those who are affected by H.I.V.

Sin is the fault line the Adamic, inherited sin, that lies deep in every heart. For God’s word tells us that, “There is no difference. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Rom 3 v 22/23

There is no difference, the outward appearance may look alike, and we may belong to similar groups. We may be respectable business people, cooks or bottle washers. We might be thieves, hotel staff or guests, prison officers or wealthy millionaires, policemen or magistrates. Whatever you social standing or occupation. All have sinned . Our hearts, according to God’s Word, are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.  Jer 17 v 9

 Race or colour, do not make any difference, for there is no difference to God rich or poor, good looking or ugly, wise or ignorant, there is no difference, all are sinners

Sometimes when washing up the dinner plates you may come across a plate that has a tiny crack in it. You know that sooner or later it will break. A fault line warns of danger to come.

As a glass inspector will know, tiny cracks are detected under a bright light. Normally invisible but under the glare of an intense light they are clearly seen. Any cracked or crizzled object is untrustworthy and even dangerous. The Word of God is that bright light. Psalm 119 v 105

Sticking a plaster onto a cracked plate, or gluing a cracked piece of crockery will only lead to disaster. Gods remedy for the fault line is a new heart through salvation that is in Jesus Christ. Through faith in the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary. “For without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin” Heb 9 v 22

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God”.  Heb 9 v 14

Ebenezar

Samuel took a stone and set it between Miz”peh and Shen, and called the name of it, Eb’en-e’zer, saying Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”.1 Sam 7 v 12

The great shout…”And when the Ark of the covenant came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang” It was a shout self confidence. They thought they had the Victory but it was defeat. because of sin in the land. 1 Sam 4 v 5

And when the Philistines heard the noise of this great shout they said, What meaneth the noise of this shout in the camp of the Hebrews”. The Philistines knew they would be defeated and killed so they fought as mad men, who had nothing to lose. They fought so ferociously that Israel were defeated. “Be strong and quit yourselves like men and fight.1 Sam 4 v 6

Israel had to learn repentance. The Philistines who took away the Ark of God defeated them. It was only when they repented and sought the Lord in prayer that God turned the defeat into victory. The children of Israel did put away Ba’al’im and Ash’ta’roth.

1 Sam 7  4

What a wonderful thing all Glory to God,

After the Ark of God had been returned by the smitten Philistines when God had plagued them. They had reluctantly moved the Ark of God from place to place but each town or city and then that city or town was judged and smitten of God.  1 Sam 5 v

So at last they had to return the Ark which followed the two milk kine back across the boarder of Israel. 1 Sam 6 v 10/12

Twenty years the children of Israel lamented after the Lord while the returned Ark was at Kir’jah’je’a-rim..  A picture of a backslidden Christian! Lamenting after the Lord. Looking back and remembering the past blessing and mercies of the Lord and repining in spirit because of what could have been. 1 Sam 7 v 3 b

Samuel had spoken to them “And Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mis”peh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord”.

How wonderful for Israel to have a man of God praying for the nation. I am sure that we shall be surprised and eternally grateful when in eternity the Lord shows us all who were praying for us day by day.1 Sam 7 v 5

Who is praying and confessing the sins of our nation today? This is much needed. I recall the nation coming to God in prayer in those critical times of emergency in the Second World War. We need to humble ourselves as a nation and realise we are weak and inadequate creatures and to call upon the Lord, who is mighty to save.” 1 Sam 7 v 10

After the victory Samuel took the stone and set it up. …Calling it Eb”en-e”zah saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”. 1 Sam 7 v 1

In all the struggle of life we too can look back to remember how many times the Lord has helped us. And we can confidently say, “Yes he has helped me, many times, he will not fail me this time”.. ‘Eb’en-e’zer.  1 Sam 7 v 4

Ichabod

And the Philistines fought and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man to his tent, and there was every great slaughter; for there fell of Israel  thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hoph’ni and Phin’e’has, were slain.”

1 Sam 4 v 10/1

When Eli the priest heard of the defeat of Israel and the death of his two sons he fell off the seat backwards by the side of the gate, and his neck brake and he died 1 Sam 4 v 18

“And his daughter in law, Phin’e’has’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered; and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her Father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not, for thou hast born a son. But she answered not; neither did she regard it. And she named the child I’cha’bod, saying the glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken, and because of her Father in law and husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken”. 1 Sam 4 v 19/22.

God’s word does not hide the awful fact it was a dreadful defeat .

Eli the priest had failed to discipline his children. His sons were lying with the women who assembled at the Tabernacle door. Also they were stealing the meat from the Tabernacle offerings and despite warnings had continued without fear of God or repentance. Ò God had to wake up the little child Samuel and after a little delay in making contact gave him the message that judgement would come to the house of Eli. “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made them selves vile and he restrained them not”1 Sam 3 v 13

Eli the priest had rebuked his sons for their evil behaviour but they had not heeded and continued in sin. Eli apparently acquiesced in allowing them further licence., when he should have restrained them.   This was unacceptable to the Lord1 Sam 2 v 22

As the sin continued the Lord sent a messenger. “And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, “Honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people ? 1 Sam 2v 27/2

“Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour”.1 Sam 2 v 30

Many a disobedient child of God has learned the lesson of Gods punishment and chastisements the hard way. “Thank be to God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus” 2 Cor 2 v14

Our problem lies not in Gods willingness to forgive and restore, but in our reluctance to recognise our sin and confess it.

God’s purposes in chastisement and punishment are remedial and not punitive. So that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Heb 12 v 9/10

Heavenly Choir

And I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps: The sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beast, and the elders: and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty four thousand which were redeemed from the earth”. Rev 14 v 2/3

Harps in heaven has almost become a mocking cliché. Yet the saints will sing in glory, as they worship the Lamb. Those who have gotten the victory over the beast and over his mark and over the number of his name, stand on a sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways thou King of saints”. Rev 15 v 2

“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise to my God: many shall see it, and fear, and trust in the Lord”. Psalm 40 v 3

Are you a singer? Have you the song of the Lord in your heart?

I carry a cutting in my Bible of a Christian man who was having an operation of his throat. He had cancer and it meant that he would not be able to sing again. He told the surgeon and operating theatre staff, “before you begin I want to sing, He sang, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stain’s”.

The anaesthesia was administered and the operation was, but the man never recovered from the operation, the Lord called him home. It was his last song on earth.

I was told that the evangelist A. A. Allen sang at the Albert Hall in London to packed crowds. He was a dying man at that time and, I was told he was so weak that he had to be carried in on a stretcher, he sang, “Where the roses never fade”. As he sang he struggled up from his bed and threw roses to the people”. It was a very moving moment and had many weeping.

The Lord told Ezekial, “And lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song and one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not”. Ezek 33 v 32

One night as we sang on one ward at Princess Alice Hospital in Eastbourne , a small group of family where sitting around the bed of their Father. The wife requested we sing, Abide with me, and we willingly agreed. As we sang all the family was deeply moved and when we had finished their eyes were wet with tears.   On another occasion, a man requested a hymn, “I need thee every hour”, as we sang he raised his dying hands into the air to worship God. These were precious moments indeed.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord”. Ephes 5 v 18/19

Have we a song in our heart, even praise to our God?

Rejected

For ye know that afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears”. Heb 12 v 17

In Genesis we find the reason for his failure. …..” And Esau came from the field and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee with that same red pottage ( soup) for I am faint. Therefore was his name called E’dom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said ,I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me”?. Gen 25 v 32.

“Esau had a bad attitude towards spiritual things. He sold his birthright for the plate full of soup. “..Gen 25 v 34

A computer has a button, which can change your last action called the undo button. Sometimes in life, given the opportunity, we would willingly change our last action. Unfortunately in life, we cannot always press an undo button. We can  however ask for forgiveness and we can amend our ways.

Sometimes  it is too late. The damage has been done and we have to live with the consequences.

Esau was impulsive, he lacked appreciation of the higher things. He lost his Fathers blessing. And Esau said unto his Father, Hast thou but one blessing, my Father? bless me, even me also, O my Father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. Gen 27 v 38

This is the day of Grace but let us be careful for some things are not forgiven, even though like Esau we seek it carefully with tears. “But he that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation”.      Mark 9 v 48

“Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy”. Prov 6 v 1

The rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day, was suddenly in a torment of fire and being in torments, cried out to A’bra’ham…”Have mercy on me, and send Laz’a’rus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame”.

But A’bra’ham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Laz’a’rus evil things; but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed. So that they that would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence”.   Yes, sadly a great gulf. is fixed.  Luke 16 v 2

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. And have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. If they should fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves, the Son of God afresh, and to put him to open shame”.

Hebrews 6 v 4/6   Are we in danger of being rejected?

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed, lest he fall”. 1 Cor 10 v 12

Cave

And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth saying. “I am a stranger and a so-journer with you, give me a possession of a burying place with you. that I may bury my dead out of my sight”. Gen 23 v 4

This morning I attended a funeral of a young Christian man who died of a brain tumour. He was called home from service on earth to the immediate presence of the Lord as the Word says, Absent from the body together with the Lord which is far better. Safely home with the Lord, battles all done.   What a prospectnd Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth saying. “I am a stranger and a so-journer with you, give me a possession of a burying place with you. that I may bury my dead out of my sight”. Gen 23 v 4

To be, released from a painful sin cursed body, to be join the spirits of just men made perfect in glory. To join the millions of the ransomed, the redeemed of the Lord, to see the Lord Jesus in all his Glory

 To inherit eternal life, to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus, to join that great company in heaven, the blood bought of the Lord Jesus. Absent from the body together with the Lord, which is far better. Oh for a clearer vision of the glory that awaits true believe

The heathen burn their dead bodies; the Christians should always bury them.

Everywhere in the Word of God this is true. A tomb was good enough for our Lord Jesus, for he had no where to lay his head during his ministry but at the last a rich man’s tomb was given by Joseph of Aramathea. It was only a temporary resting-place for the body of our dear Lord, before his powerful and mighty resurrection on the third day.

Abraham purchased a piece of land including a cave to bury his wife Sarah. The cave he purchased was also used to bury him and his son, Isaac with Rebecca and Leah. Gen 49 v 30

Jacob commanded Joseph and made him swear to carry me out of Egypt , I will lie with my Fathers, and thou shalt carry out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place. Gen 47

To the disciple who requested,  “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my Father Jesus said, Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”.  Math 8 v 22

When the women came to the tomb they were told, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen…

Luke 24 v 4/5

Jesus said Woe to you ye scribes, Phar’i’see’s, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and full of iniquity. Math 23 v 27

One day the graves will open, Of course the Lord is able to recreate a body from the scattered ashes of the dead, but there is a mystery here that we do not see, or understand. Gods Word states, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first”. 1 Thess 4 v 16

Sin

Hidden sin, secret sin, sins of omission, sins of commission, sins of pride, sins of presumption, sins of ignorance, sins of rebellion, sins of stubbornness, sins of unbelief”. What is the greatest sin? Israel could not enter into the Promised Land because of their unbelief. For all that is not of faith is sin”. Romans 14 v 23

Hidden sin is a curse in the church.

There can be no victory with hidden sin in the camp.  The whole nation o Israel were nullified when Aa’chan sinned They could not enter the Promised Land. There were to be no more victories until this hidden sin was dealt with, exposed and brought to the light. They could not move ahead, they were stuck with, “The cursed thing in the camp”. Joshua 7 v 4

God spoke to Joshua as he lay face on the ground. “Get thee up, wherefore liest thou upon thy face, Israel has sinned. There is a cursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel; thou canst not stand before thy enemies until ye take away the cursed thing from among.

Joshua 7 v 1

Personal sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me”. Psalm 66 v 18

It is a shocking thought that God ever allowed his Son, his dear, pure, Holy and sinless Son to become sin. “For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. ”2 Cor 5 v 21

For he the Father made him to be sin. When Jesus actually became the embodiment of sin, on the cross, the sight was so dreadful that the Father, could not look upon his Son and the Lord Jesus cried with loud voice, “My God why hast thou forsaken me”. . God had to look away. All the filthiness of al the generations since Adam and Eve, the sin of the world was upon him.

Why? That we, (sinners) might be made the righteousness of God in him, Made right with God, washed clean, pure and holy sanctified Holy in his sight. 2 Cor 5 v 21

So when God looks upon a Christian, he sees the blood of Jesus, not the sin.  For as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from the vain conversation received by tradition from your father, but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”. 1 Peter 1 v 18

God’s provision for the cleansing of sin, and for sinners is found, only in the precious blood of Christ. “For without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin”. Heb 9 v 22.

“Having these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Cor 7 v 1.

 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3 v 19.

Silence

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour”. Imagine the holy angels and the angelic host is silent. In their praising of the Lamb, they are silent as the seven angels are given their trumpets. Rev 8 v 1

Today even in church as the people gather to worship there is seldom a silence. I believe in a holy hush as the Spirit settles on believers. The preacher should have his moments of silence too.And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour”. Imagine the holy angels and the angelic host is silent. In their praising of the Lamb, they are silent as the seven angels are given their trumpets. Rev 8 v 1

God had to intervene with Ezekial, “And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, and thou shalt be dumb and not be to them a reprover; for they are a rebellious house.

But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth let him forbear; for they are a rebellious house”. Ezek 3 v 26

The Lord Jesus was silent on many occasions, “As a sheep before her sheerer’ is dumb, so he opened not his mouth”.

Isaiah 53 v 7

Remember that before Pilot, “He answered him nothing and held his peace. Mark 15 v 15. Math 26 v 63

In the parable the Lord Jesus told of a wedding feast, when the King came in to see his guest he found a man with out a wedding garment on and he was challenged by the King, he was speechless”. Math 22 v 12 .   When we have sinned against the Lord we have nothing to say only to confess our iniquity. Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defended cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. Jeremiah 8 v 14

We are told, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength that in the grave is silence. “Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave”. Isaiah 30 v 15.  Psalm 31 v 17

If the graveyard is not silent we would have cause for concern. “Be silent al ye flesh before the Lord”. The flesh is always seeking to be heard, it constantly wants to speak. But when we come before God, we should let our words be few. Eccl 5 v 2

What happened to Job? “Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up; It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof; an image before my eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice saying…” Job 4 v 15/16

“When I kept silence al my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long”. Psalm 32 v 3

Is it time to speak? To break the silence? Or is it time to enjoy the presence of God in the stillness and quietness, “I was dumb with silence and held my peace, even from good; and my sorrows were stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned; then spake I with my tongue. Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of mine days, what is it, that I may know how frail I am”. Psalm 39 v 2

Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. Zechariah 2 v 13

Forgetting

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto to those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Phil 3 v 13

Forgetting those things, which are past. Not many people are able to forget. They spend all their lives in regret in looking back at the things that might have been, the things they failed at, how the world and life treated them badly. The hurts and the pains return to haunt them daily. Gazing at ones belly button is always a miserable unprofitable affair. “I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more”.

Jer 31 v 34b

In this modern day of computer technology there is a delete button. After a warning if you press this button you will erase every record, your files and records disappear, they are unobtainable. They cannot be retrieved. They are gone, lost forever. Never remembered!

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? “Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee”. Isaiah 49 v 15

In our years of hospital ministry, one essential thing was always to remember the names of the patients if you forgot their name they would be very hurt. God does not forget our names or our situation.

When Israel was in captivity in Babylon they remembered Zion and wept, “By the rivers of Babylon , there we sat down, yea we wept, when we remembered Zion . Psalm 137 v 1.

Israel did not forget their beautiful land but did they remember their sin and idol worship?  “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion upon the son of her womb? Yea they may forget thee, yet I will not forget thee. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49 v 15/16

Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old.   How many people are trapped in the past. The fossilisation of their experience with God has become semi permanent.  The former things cannot now be changed. We have no control over these things.

But we do have the ability to reach forth to lift up our eyes upon the harvest fields. To reach out to others who are in need. To pour some oil on the troubled waters of folks lives all around us. Folks who need also to forget the past and, press on towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things that are before”.  Phil 3 v 13

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more”.  Heb 10 v 17

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits”. Psalm 103 v 2

Weapons

When I was in Poland an angry man set his dog on me. I prayed urgently and the Lord kept the vicious animal’s mouth firmly shut. I came away without a scratch but it was a nasty moment.“ No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord”. Isaiah 54 v

No weapon that is formed against thee? How many weapons are there against a Christian? The rulers of darkness, the principalities and powers, the spiritual wickedness in high places. The occult, the witches curses the demons all seeking to attack and destroy us, to deceive us.

Praise God for the ‘Sword of the Lord’. “For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, and the joints and the morrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart. Heb 4 v 12

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into the captivity of Christ”. 2 Cor 10 v 4

They took Jeremiah and cast him into a dungeon a dark place deep in the ground with no light no warmth. This weapon did not succeed for the Lord raised him up. He was soon hauled out. Jer 38 v 6/9

Jesus was scoured and crucified. Was the crucifixion a defeat?  No God planned it that way. “The Lord Jesus told, Pilot, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin”. John 18 v11

“There hath no temptation that has taken you but such is common to man; but God is faithful, who will suffer you not to be tempted above that you are able, but with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it”. 1 Cor 10 v 13

When I am attacked in the street as I preach, I can well understand the feelings of Elijah when he said, “If I be a man of God, let the fire fall from heaven”. 2 Kings 1 v 10

But the Lord has taught me that a soft answer turns away wrath. Pro 15 v 1

The Lord rebuked James and John when they wanted to command fire to fall from heaven on those who would not receive Jesus. “And when the disciple James and John saw this he said, Lord, wilt that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as E’lis’as did? But he turned and rebuked them and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of, For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. What should we do for our enemies?  Pray for them, give them food. Luke 9 v 55

Calvary love is our greatest weapon.

Surrender

And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men, as every man had need”. Acts 2 v 44

How many times I have heard the testimony of full surrender. God is glorified in this. It always warms your heart and encourages your faith. When Christians surrender their lives to Jesus, lock stock and barrel, there is always glory for God. Trusting in God, to live by faith, trusting in God to sustain them, to guide them.

Full surrender involves humility. When a Christian waves the white flag to God and cuts loose from all the entanglements of this world and its systems this is great victory. Few people are able to achieve this!

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5 v

Have we ever said, Lord here I am take me, all that I have I give to thee”? Then we must be careful that we do not allow the old nature to reassert itself and snatch back from God.

Amalek is a type of the old nature, a type of the old man Adam. He must not be allowed to live. “Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep and camel and ass”. But Saul failed in this. He kept back part. He spared Agag. ”And of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and of the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, they destroyed utterly.1 Sam 15 v 3

“For he said because the Lord has sworn, that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation”. Ex 17 v 16

Moses was also commanded to destroy them “For an inheritance to posses it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it”. Deut 25 v 19b

In the New Testament we see this same sin. “Annanias and Saphira, kept part back. Acts 5 v 4

“What a terrible day it was for Peter when the Holy Spirit revealed that there was sin in the camp. The sin of deception and lies. Lying to the Holy Ghost. “Ananias and Saphira died before the Lord.

Friend, have we ever-kept part back? While it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Annanias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost”. Acts 5 v 3/4“

Cursed is the man who does God’s work deceitfully”. Jer 48 v 10

Jesus said, “If thou wilt be perfect, go sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me”. Math 19 v 21

The Meeting

Jonah, who was in the whales belly called out to God. “Out of the belly of hell cried I ”. Jonah 2 v 2

I had been preaching in Bristol when a young woman came to share her testimony. Her face all the while shining out the love of Jesus. She told me that she had been living in darkness in a house where they practised the occult called upon the devil and other evil things. Yet it was here, that she heard the voice of Jesus saying, “Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Math 11 v 28

I met a young man in Ipswich stood by my side calling out, “Is there anyone who cares”. I told him that indeed God cares and that he cared so much that he sent his son Jesus to die on a cross to save lost sinners.

I met a man at the Wish tower in Eastbourne who told me how the Lord had spoken to him in a meeting in London when attending a baptismal service. The preacher spoke on, What think ye of Christ?

The man told me he was moved but resisted going forward. On the train journey home he saw a poster which read “What think ye of Christ”? The same words the preacher had spoken on. He was shocked later when the train reached its destination at Southampton to see a poster illuminated with words, “What think ye of Christ”.

Alighting from the train he fell on his knee’s and called upon the lord to save him. Praise God he was wonderfully saved. A man asked him ”Sir are you alright? Yes he replied, praise God I am saved”

Do you remember the cry of Blind Bartimus when he heard that Jesus was near? “Oh thou son of David have mercy on me”. He was told to keep quiet, but he called out all the more. Jesus called him over and asked him a simple question, “What wilt thou have me do? Lord that I might receive my sight”, Immediately his eyes were opened. Not only did he see God’s creation for the first time, but also for the first time he saw Jesus.  Mark 10 v 46

How many millions of lost souls are their today, who have never met with the Lord Jesus? They have lived 60, 70, 80 years of age and never been born again! “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them”. 2 Cor 4 v

The two disciples on the Emmaus road were walking and talking with Jesus, yet their eyes were holden. Only when they broke bread were their eyes opened to see Jesus. They need to hear the Gospel message.  Mark 16

Many souls are just like that. So near, yet so blind. God is just a prayer away. A drowning man will call upon the Lord to save him when plunged into the icy seas.

“Call upon me, and will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”. Jer 33 v3

Gift of God

Perhaps God has gifted you with a special talent, for music, for preaching, for helping, for listening or counselling?  “Neglect not the gift that is in you”. 1 Tim 4 v 14.

Today may be your last day. Today we all have an opportunity to help others, to do some act of kindness, pray for a needy soul or crisis. What wilt thou have me do? Acts 9 v

God’s most neglected gift is Salvation. How grievous to see this loving, costly gift unopened, neglected and ignored.  Today is the day of Salvation, today the Holy Ghost says, ”If you here my voice harden not your heart”. Heb 3 v 7/8

Today we can respond to God to that still small voice that says. “This is the way walk ye in it. ”Isaiah 30 v 21.

God’s gifts are the perfect gifts. Life, joy, peace, happiness, trust, faith, grace, For every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James 1 v 17

What a promise. “Delight thyself in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart”   What a gift ?. Psalm 37 v 4

 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.   Proverbs 18 v 16

Ask and it shall be given thee. How wonderful are Gods promises. Like the chequebook with unlimited credit. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”.  Rom 11 v 29

Cheques must be presented at the bank. The banks have the resources to pay out. So too with Gods promises, When we come and present our petitions to him, he has the resources to meet every need. To give us that which we desire.

Call upon me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer 33 v 3

Have your received Gods unspeakable gift?  The gift of the Holy Ghost? Have you tasted of the heavenly gift ?

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Romans 1:11

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4: v  10

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3 v 13

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Matthew 5:23

The gift of eternal life? “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him. 2 Cor 9 v15. Acts 2 v 38

Unbelief

And Jacobs heart fainted, for he believed them not” Gen 45 v 26

Jacob could not believe his ears. His sons had gone down to Egypt to obtain grain in the terrible famine that was in the land. They had met with their brother Joseph and on returning to their father they told him that Joseph was alive and well that he was the second in command in Egypt . Yet Jacob could not believe it. This is a sad reaction to good news.

How grievous it must be to God when so many millions will not believe the good news. “For whatever is not of faith is sin”. Rom 14 v 23

The disciples of Jesus suffered from unbelief; it seemed they were in a heavy learning curve. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matt 17 v 20

When they failed to cast out the dumb spirit in a young child the father came to Jesus in desperation, Jesus told him, ”If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth.” And straightaway the father of the child cried out and said, “Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief”.  Mark 9 v 24

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.  Mark 6 v 6

The five virgins that were shut out of heaven are a lesson to us to have faith and to keep the faith. Unbelief will shut heavens door to many a religious soul.

The branches were broken off because of unbelief. It is a mercy of God that through this the Gentiles have been grafted in. “Well, because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee”. Rom 10 v 21/22

We are also challenged to operate by faith. The prospect of not entering in to the  inheritance provided by God and also to miss our inheritance in Christ through ignorance and unbelief is terrible to contemplate. What does the Word say? Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Heb 4 v 11

The disciples of Jesus, those who had intimate knowledge of him who had witnessed so man miracles and seen Gods power at work, proved that this did not help their faith. “Afterwards he appeared unto the eleven as they say at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that has seen him after he was risen”. Mark 16 v 14

It is hard to imagine being told off for lack of faith! By the way  how is your faith today? Is it strong?

Israel could not enter in the Promised Land because of unbelief. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. their unbelief. Math 13 v 58

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? Romans 3 v 3

Bread

How tragic when God’s word is neglected. A nation is in crisis when this happens. Gods Word neglected, forgotten. No law, no restraint of sin individuals in peril, lawlessness in the land, and spiritual skeletons in the church, emaciated, dry bones. Ezek 3 v 3

Older folks, who do not eat properly, can soon become confused in their thinking. On being admitted to a hospital or home, they soon recover the mental abilities as they are fed regularly. There is a wealth of truth and knowledge in God’s Word. It is like a hidden treasure.

Are you sitting on an oil well? If this was true, I guess that pretty soon you would be digging for that wealth! Diamonds are found deep in the ground, usually in hard rock. You have to dig deep to find them. So it is with God’s Word

Are you living on scraps? Wild dogs eat scraps. A hungry man will pick up a crumb here and there. How many chapters of the Bible do you read daily? Have you a real hunger and thirst for God’s Word? Jack Sprat would eat no fat; his wife would eat no lean!

Jesus told the disciples to gather up the fragments of bread after he fed the 5,000, “That none may be lost. John 6 v 12

A man who had been offered a Gospel tract in great anger tore the tract into small pieces and threw them over the Christian. He stalked home but was arrested but a tiny fragment that had stuck to his jumper. Curiosity got the better of him and he read the words, “For God so”… he was intrigued and spent the next few days wondering about those Words. “What did it mean”?

He asked many folks the question, “What does it mean”?  “For God so”?  None had any answer and he could find no peace. Almost distracted he went to a Minister who told him, “For God so loved the World, that he gave us his only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe on him should not perish but have everlasting life.

These Word had such an effect on him that he was wonderfully saved. God used a fragment of his word to save a soul. John 3 v 16

King Solomon’s table was overflowing with good things. What would happen if his guest were not hungry? 1 Kings 4 v 22

Me’phib’o’sheth was invited to dine at King David’s table. “Fear not for I will surely show thee kindness, for Jonathan the fathers sake. And I will restore all the lands of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat at my table continually”. 2 Sam 9 v 7

What is tour daily diet? Soldiers have to be fed on a nutritional food to enable them to fight. We are encouraged to fight the good fight of faith. Are we strong and healthy soldiers? The Word is the sword of the Spirit. It takes spiritual strength to wield a sword!

Dying folks are often kept alive on a life support machine. Their life is hanging on a thread, one breath away from eternity. What have you read today? “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. Math 4 v 4

An evangelist is one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.

Sovereign

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: None can stay his hand or say unto him, what doest thou”? Dan 4 v 35

Lucifer was defeated when he exalted himself against God. “How thou art fallen from heaven O Lucifer, son of the morning. How thou art cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.

I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. That see thee shall narrowly look upon thee and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake the kingdoms”?   Isaiah 14 v 12/16

“But God is in the heavens and has done whatsoever he pleases”. Psalm 115 v 3

How foolish man is to resist the mighty power of God!  Pharaoh tried and failed. “Who is the Lord that I should obey him”?  He had hardened his heart time after time until Egypt was destroyed, then he had to submit and yield when the angel of death visited the land at midnight

“And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt ; for there was not a house where there was not one dead”. Ex 5v 2.  Ex 12 v 30

God had raised up Pharaoh, he was not aware of this. “For this purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show forth my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout al the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth”. Rom 9 v 17/18

King Neb’u’chad’nez’zar also had to learn that God is Sovereign Having raised up a golden image and issued a decree that the nations should worship it, he was reduced to feeding like an animal with his nails like birds claws.

“The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Neb’u’chad’nez’zar, and he was driven from men and did eat grass like an oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles feathers, and his nails like bird claws.

And at the end of the days I Neb’u’chad’nez’zar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven and mine understanding returned to me, and I blessed the most High and I praised and honoured him, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation”. Dan 4 v 33/34

Likewise with E’sau, “As it is written, Jacob I have loved, but E’sau have I hated”. Rom 9 v 13

How many ignorant folks have resisted God and found to their horror that you cannot fight God. The rich fool likewise, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee”. Luke 12 v 22

King Herod was eaten up of worms, when he did not give glory to God. Acts 12 v 2

Holy Eyes

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest upon that dealest treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he”. Hab 1 v 13

God’s pure eyes cannot bear to look upon sin. Our newspapers and television are full of evil and unspeakable things. We should be shocked and refuse to look at them. Twenty years ago I took a nearly new colour television down to the local tip and threw it in. What a day that was, free from addiction. Some folks are just drawn to it, like hypnotism!

Even the radio has been infected with the virus of filth. The occult has been accepted as normal and mention of pagan things almost common. The news of dreadful and macabre events infiltrates the mind and causes much disturbance sand damage. So we now switch off.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and for throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him”. ”2 Chron 16 v 0 Pure eyes!

While staying in a bed and breakfast place on a visit to friends, I had been watching the television news, when suddenly, and to my horror I was shocked to the core see the copses of men shot in a mosque in Hebron . Many years later the flashbacks still have power to hurt. I believe we are not designed to store up these awful images.

What do our children see? Thousands of violent pictures that are a daily diet. Murder and mayhem. These are seed that will impregnate the minds of the little ones and bring forth a harvest of violence. Someone has worked it out that a child may see 600 murders on the television in a month. What will be the effect?

The Lord Jesus told Nathaniel that he had seen him. “Nathaniel said unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered him saying, Before Phillip called thee, when thou wast under the tree, I saw thee”. John 1 v 48

Jesus saw Satan, fall as lightning, he also saw the field which were white to harvest. He said, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do. John 5 v 19. Luke 10 v 18b

God sees the heart. “The Lord is in his Holy Temple, the Lords throne is in heaven; behold, his eyelids try the children of men”. Psalm 11 v 4

God looks to see if there be any that seek after him. He sees those things, which are done in secret. “But thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to the Father which is in secret, and thy father which is in secret, shall reward thee openly”. Math 6 v 6

“For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Ze’rub’ba’bel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and for through the whole earth”. Zech 4 v 10

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry”.  Psalm 34 v 15

Faith

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were mad strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life, others were tortured, they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were slain with the sword, wandered about in sheepskins and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy.

Heb 11 v 37/38

This is the example God sets before us of  his faithful disciples how do we measure up to this standard? Are we to take our place with this overcoming multitude, and hear the Lord say, Well done thou good and faithful servant”. Luke 19 v 17

Will we be able to say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 5 v 7

How powerful faith is. To remove mountains. “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall unto this mountain, be cast into the sea”.

How many mountains have we moved? Yes there are many giants in the land, many roaring lions in the pathway, many trials and difficulties, many testing times and much tribulation, all allowed by God to test our faith. “Your faith is more precious than gold which perisheth.1 Peter 1 v 7

Do you believe I am able to do this”?     A question we might apply to ourselves?

Is there anything to hard for the Lord? In these days we see little faith. “When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on the earth.? As thou hast believed, so it be done unto me .Math 8 v 13

To the woman at Cana who pleaded with the Lord to heal her child, “Have mercy on me O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter lies grievously vexed of a devil. And although the Lord, answered her not a word, and the disciple sought that she would go away, she persisted in her petition, her reasoning with the Lord, Lord help me.

But he answered, It is not meet for me to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs. And she said truth Lord: yet the dogs eat the crumbs, which fall from the master’s table. The Jesus answered her and said, Oh woman great is thy faith; be it even as thou wilt”. Persevering, overcoming faith prevailed with the Lord. Math 15 v 28

What is faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen”. Heb 11 v 1

Let us strive for faith. Saving faith, personal faith, persevering faith, miracle faith, enduring faith. The faith of a little child. Let us remember to fight the good fight of faith, for we are justified by faith, saved by faith, kept by faith and that Jesus Christ, is the author and finisher of our faith”.  Heb 12 v22

Tim 4 v 7. Rom 4 v 20.  Math 8 v 10.  Rom 5 v 1.  Rom 10 v17.  1 Peter 1 v 5

Fiery Trial

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice”. 1 Peter 4 v 12

These are not word that Christians choose to be reminded of. But they mark the true Christian pathway which the Lord prepares for those who will truly follow him God’s purpose inn testing our faith is to mould our spiritual character. When we complete such test, when we have endured, coped with and survived with God’s grace, the end result is that God’s purpose is, ”That you may be glad with exceeding joy”. According to the world an unlikely outcome. 1 Peter 4 v 12

Notice that these words are addressed to the “Beloved”, the blood bought, redeemed, ransomed of the Lord, who have been chosen before the foundation of the world, in Christ Jesus. Ephes 1 v 4

Joseph was in a pit, then in a prison, then in a palace! Daniel was in the lion’s den, but then God sent the angels also. Israel was in captivity and slavery in Egypt , then later in exile in Babylon , and later still dispersed around the world.

Jeremiah was imprisoned. Elisha was mocked. Paul was persecuted, stoned and left for dead. Stephen was stoned after his bold preaching of the Gospel, the church was and always has been persecuted, when they have fully preached the truth of the Gospel, and witnessed to the saving power of Christ. Heb 11 v 37

God delivered Israel out of the bondage of slavery, on the night of the Passover, when the angel of death passed over the homes of those who had applied the blood of the lamb to the lintel and door post of there homes. God had led Israel to this place of testing. Led by Moses later, to the Red Sea and surrounded by mountains on either side, with the hostile Egyptians coming up the rear, they were hemmed in by God. Fear prevailed on all sides.

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes and behold the Egyptians marched after them, and they were sore afraid: And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord”. Ex 13 v 17/18

When we are saved, we are told of the abundant life, the eternal life, we have the blessing of fellowship, the singing of victorious songs, yes truly a land of milk and honey. Yet very often it is a shock to find this is not the Promised Land but a wilderness of sin.

We face adverse situations and circumstances with difficulties and trials, we have enter the narrow way, where we are required to carry a cross, and struggle to follow the light in an increasingly darkened world. Are we going to murmur and complain?

 Math 16 v 24

“They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. They cried unto the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them out of their distresses. And led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation”. Psalm 107 v 4/

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them and delivereth them out of all their trouble”. Psalm 34 v 17

Bound

God is the Lord, which hath showed us the light: bind the sacrifice with chords, even to the horns of the altar”.

Psalm 118v 27

The priest in his Levitical duties, under the Law of Moses, would spend much of his time in receiving the sacrificial animals of the people, who would come daily to make atonement for their sins

They were required to bring a male lamb, without blemish or spot, the choicest of the flock to the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle. The priest after hearing the confession of the sinner would tie up the animal to the horns of the altar until it was ready to be slaughtered, and its blood shed for the atonement of sins. Lev 1 v 10

Any sailor will tell you and perhaps show you how to tie the ropes. Unless they are tied in a specific way, they will loosen gradually and with the rocking motion of the ship can easily work loose. Imagine waking up in the morning and finding yourself drifting miles out to see. It has happened!

The demonic man at Garderenes snapped and broke those chains that bound him. Mark 5 v 4

Isaac must have been around 40 years of age, when his father Abraham took him to Mount Moriahwhere he was to be sacrificed to God.

Isaac was willing to be sacrificed. The Lord, of course was testing Abraham’s faith, and Abraham passed with flying colours knowing and believing that God was able to raise up Issac his son of promise, to life again. Heb 11 v 19

Isaac had willingly submitted to this test. He did not struggle but obeyed his father request to lay on the altar. He knew what it was to be obedient unto death, a type of Christ, who lay down his life willingly for us sinners. Jesus knew the full implications and was not bound by those nails in his hands and feet. But he was bound by love. Calvary love. Gen 22 v 9

Paul said, “What mean ye to weep and break my heart? For I am ready. not only to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 21 v 13

Jesus came to set the captives free. He can break every fetter and loose every chain. “Outside the tomb of Lazarus, “He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. Lazarus did come out of the tomb, but then another command, “Loose him”.

John 11 v 44

Pilot bound Jesus he did not resist or struggle but yielded to wicked hands. In the garden they arrested him and he was led away unbound! How amazing! He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. Isaiah 53 v 7

Cruel nails bound the Lord Jesus to a cross. It is well said, “It was not the nails that bound him, but love held him there”.

Lying Prophet

Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with the bread of affliction, and with the water of affliction, until I come in peace”.

1 Kings 22 v 27

So Miacah was imprisoned because the King of Israel did not like his prophesy, “I saw al Israel scattered upon the hills as sheep that have not a shepherd: And the Lord said theses have no master: let them return every man to his house”. 1 Kings 22 v 17

The truth was the King hated the prophet, who only prophesied bad things for him. We need to be obedient to God’s Word and warn the people of judgement. They do not like to hear this message and we will not be popular if we tell it. But we must do whatever the cost. 1 Kings 22 v 17 goes on to tell the king what he saw in his vision while waiting upon the Lord. “And he said hear thou the Word of the Lord, I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right side and on his left.

And the Lord said, Who shall persuade A’hab that he may go and fall at Ramoth Gil’e’ad? One said this manner and another on that manner. And there stood forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, ands said I will persuade him. And the Lord said unto him….Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil concerning thee”.

1 Kings 22-v 19/23

This is a most revealing and interesting Scripture; it shines light on the ways of the Lord in the spiritual realm. It is contained in the Word to illumine spiritual warfare in the heaven lies.”

We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places”. Ephes 6 v 12

It also clearly reveals that Gods sovereign purposes are being worked out in the heavenlies as God knew that the king would fall at Ramoth Gil’e’ad.  Isaiah 45 v 7.   Col 1 v 16

Let us compare it with Zedikiah’s, “And the son of Chen’a’a’nah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With theses thou shalt push the Syrians until thou hast consumed them”.  It was very dramatic, impressive and hard to argue with, yet it was lies of the devil, all allowed by God. 1 Kings 22 v 11

What can we learn from this? To test the spirits to see what they are, whether they are of God? “Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone into the world. Hereby ye know the Spirit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God, and this is the Spirit of antichrist, 1 John 4 v 1/3

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privaly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction”. 2 Peter 2 v 1

Acts 16 v 23 Gen 29 v 20. Jer 32 v 2

Incorruptible Seed

Being born, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever”.

1 Peter 1 v 23

Seed is precious. Can there be a harvest without first sowing seed? God promised Abraham, the Issac and again Jacob that he would bless their seed. Israel , God’s chosen nation, shall be blessed. All of this from Sarah  a woman who was barren, and then Rachael, who was also barren! Even the barren womb was from God. ”And when God saw that Le’ah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachael was barren!

“And God remembered Rachael, and God hearkened unto her, and opened her womb”. Gen 29 v 31. Gen 30 v

Hannah was barren, she too prayed unto the Lord, the Lord granted her petition and rejoicing she dedicated the child unto the Lord. “For this child I prayed; the Lord has given my petition which I asked of him”.1 Sam 1 v 27

When a seed is sown it is invisible, under the earth. Nothing is seen for a while it actually dies. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  John 12v

A seed planted in the mother’s womb is hidden it needs to be germinated. A mother may have a baby formed in her womb for four months before it is quickened. When this happens, the mother will often faint! “And it came to pass that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost”. Math 17 v

So it is with the spiritual seed, Gods Word planted in the heart by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God”. Luke 1

God promised Abraham that he would bless his seed. 4,000 years later Israel are the only nation to have survived with their national identify to this day. “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiply I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and the sand which is upon the sea shore, and thy seed shall posses the gate of his enemies”. Gen 22 v 17. Gen 26 v 4.  Gen 28 v 14

God said to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “Shall I bring to birth, and not cause to bring forth? Saith the Lord, shall I cause to bring forth and shut the womb? saith thy God”.Isaiah 66 v 9

Some seed will fall on hard ground. “But he that receiveth the seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and it bringeth forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty.  Math 13 v 23

Jesus said, “The wind blows where it listeth: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit: Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou can hear the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and wither it goeth, so is everyone that is born of the Spirit”.John 3 v 6/8

Wounded

Florence Nightingale found fame as she went to bind up the wounded and those injured in the Crimean war.

In every battle there are wounded. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the wounded man lies unheeded in the road.   A priest passes by, then a Levite, then along comes the Samaritan. He comes to pour in the oil and wine and take the bleeding wounded man to a place of safety. He pays the full price for the man’s recovery, and promises to pay on his return anything more that is needed.

The Samaritan is of course a type of Christ. He has compassion on the multitude and on the individual, on the sick and the dying. His name is as ointment poured forth. His name is Jesus. Luke 10 v 34

How many wounded and bleeding spirit lie in the roadway of life today? Who cares? Are we too to pass by? The devil is a thief, murderer, and liar from the beginning, he loves to attack and leave the wounded to die. John 10 v

Let us look at the One who was wounded for me!

His face, “As many were astonished at thee; his visage was marred more than any man’s, and his form more than the sons of men.

I take this to mean that that beat Jesus until his face was a pulp, bruised and battered, his eyes puffed up, blackened, his lips cut open and bleeding. Isaiah 52 v 1

His back, “Therefore Pilot took Jesus and scourged him”, many men died under this Roman punishment. His back was torn to shreds and no wonder he was unable to carry the cross. John 19 v

His hands, those hands, which were pierced through with cruel nails, driven in with such force. These same hands which had reached out to touch so many with healing and love. Hands that actually touched the leper. “And Jesus put forth his hand and touched his saying, I will, be thou clean”. Math 8 v

His feet. Those hard feet which had tramped so many dusty miles, from village to village, area to area, up the mountainside and down to the valley. The finally he set his face to Jerusalem and walked up that hill to Golgotha . “Let us go into the next towns that I preach there also: for therefor came I forth”. Mark1 v 38

His side, “But one of the soldiers with a spear, pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water”. Out of his heart, broken heart that had burst with the awfulness of what he endured. The sin of the whole world. The exertion, the suffering of the body, out of this heart, flowed water and blood.

The One, who had spoken about the Water of life now also demonstrated his own preaching, “Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friend.

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins”. Heb 9 v 22.

Math 14 v 36. 2 Cor 6 v 17. Acts 22 v 24. 2 Cor 11 v 24. Isaiah 53v 5. 1 Peter 2 v 24

The Lion

The Apostle Paul endured many a trial. one of them was to do with a lion. “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of a lion”. 2 Tim 4 v 17

Paul in his long exhortation to the Christians in Thessolonica prays, ”And I pray God, that your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Preserved Bodies! That’s is what some folks are seeking to do. When they die they plan to have their bodies frozen in ice to keep it preserved until such a day when they may have it restored to life once again.1 Thess 5 v 23

There was a man of God. who was initially obedient to God’s Word and then later as he left the city with his  mission accomplished,  as he sat under an oak tree, met another man who beguiled and deceived him. This led to his death by a lion,  “And when he was gone a lion met him by the way and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, and the lion also stood by the carcass. It was an amazing mercy of God that the body of this man God, the dear old prophet, although disobedient, yet the lion did not maul his body. Can you imagine the ass was unharmed, and the body left untouched! 1 Kings 13 v 11/ 24

“For a lion to have its mouth shut defies all the laws of nature. The only thing that can keep a lions mouth shut is when it had just finished feeding. It is full up. Daniel in the lion’s den must have been astonished at the calm, serene lions that he was thrown to. What a night! Did the lions see the angles guarding Daniel?

Samson had a riddle for the Philistines, “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. Samson had earlier killed a lion. “And behold a lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid and he had nothing in his hand”. Judges 14 v 4 /18

Both Samson and David fought with lions, with the strength given by God . “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his fathers sheep, and there came out a lion, and a bear and took a lamb out of the flock. And I went after him and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth, and when he rose against me, I caught it by his beard, and smote him, and slew him”. 1 Sam 17 v 34/35

We are told the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Praise God, “Greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world”. The devil is always chained. So far and no further.1 Peter 5 v 8. 1 John 4 v 4

Whatever our difficulties and problems. Whatever besets us and binds us, we need to keep in mind that the “Lion of the tribe of Judah have prevailed to open the book. There are no chains or bonds that he cannot break, if we trust in the Lion of Judah. Rev 5 v 5

In the millennium reign of Christ the Lion will one day revert to how God originally created him. He will once more eat straw and we will be able to approach him and stroke his mane. For the enmity from the curse, will have gone. Isaiah 65 v 25

Inward Man

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”. Ephes 3 v 1

Paul’s remarkable prayer to the Ephesians believers was “That God would grant unto them, according to his riches in Glory”. What riches are these? Phil 5 v 19

To be strengthened with might. How much we need God’s strength. Have you ever watched a rugby team in training and witnessed the efforts they make, the demands the coaches make on them? Have you watched a prize-fighter punching the bag, building up his strength

“Without me ye can do nothing”, say’s Jesus. But the Word tells us, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”.  Isaiah 40 v 3

The disciples of Jesus we can claim this blessing. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of host”.

 Zech 4 v 6

“But thought the outward man perisheth, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. The outward man the flesh is dying decaying day by day, yet the inner, the spiritual man is developing, being strengthened and is growing day by day.

The Spirit cannot die, the immortal will never die Greater is he that is in you, Christ in me the hope of Glory, that Spirit of Christ, the inner man cannot die. That is why eternity will have those with eternal life or those with eternal torment.

2 Cor 16 v 1.  1 Cor 15 v 37

This division of the outward and inward man, the old Adam is everywhere in Scripture; “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.

My brethren these things ought not to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain yield both salt water and fresh”. James 3 v 10/12

How much do we exhibit of the inner man? The inner man is a reflection of the Glory of Jesus Christ. Paul could say “Christ in me the hope of glory” This inner man needs to be fed and watered daily. Fed with the incorruptible word, to bud and blossom forth, just like Aaron’s rod that budded Num 17 v 8

This branch, which was to all intents and purposes dead, it was being used a stick, a rod, blossomed forth with fruit. We too in the presence of God, waiting upon him and feeding upon his word, will feed the inner man and bring forth fruit, fruit everlasting. Fruit that will survive the fire of testing. Hallelujah. Num 17 v 8

The secret life of the inner man is abiding in the presence of the Lord moment by moment. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord al the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple ”. Psalm 27 v 4

Salty

What if the salt has lost its savour”? God is asking this question of you and me?

We need to examine ourselves and ask the question, “Is it I Lord”? The Lord said that somebody would betray him. “But behold the hand of him that betrayeth me is on the table, and they began to enquire among themselves which of them that it was that should do this thing”. Luke 22 v 21/22

Truly, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? I the Lord search the heart”. Jer 19 v 9

Yes, what if it is I? The salt has lost is savour? How can we know? The heart can deceive us. We may think we are all right, we are righteous, the top of the pile, we are OK. But God will rebuke us with these words, “As many as I love I rebuke, and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent” Rev 3 v 19

To the church at La’od’icea, the Lord Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold, nor hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold not hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth”. Rev 3 v 15/16

To cut bread, a sharp knife is needed. Essential. What if the cutting edge of our sword is blunt? What if the brightness of our lamps grow dim  1 Sam 3 v 2

What if the fire has gone out? Are we, have we become, a shoulder shrugging Christians? Fatalistic or apathetic? Accepting the status Que.? Are we in danger of levelling out? To the lowest level. A plateau of self satisfaction. We say I have arrived, I can pray in public, I read Gods word, I can preach or sing, I am doing great things for God? Is this our attitude? When the salt looses its saltiness, what happens? The meat goes off. Putrefaction takes place.  No salt

No, surely our attitude must be, Lord, who am I?. “And David said unto Saul, Who am I, and what is my life, or my fathers in Israel, that I should  be the son in law to the king” And David said  Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the kings son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed”. 1 Sam 18 v 218/2

Like Moses we must be humble before the Lord for, “When we have done all, we are unprofitable servants, we have done only that which he bid us do”? Luke 17 v 1

I believe that when the rapture of the saints takes place and the Lord Jesus returns in all his glory.  “That the dead in Christ shall arise and we which are alive are caught up to be with the Lord in the air. When the Holy Spirit departs from this earth, when the salt is taken away, there will be no restraint to sin

How appalling it will be for those who are left on the earth. No restraint to sin. At the present time evil things are happening. Horrible atrocities. However this will be nothing to what happens when there is no salt on the earth. Today is still the day of Salvation, today is still the day of God Grace. “For where sin abounds, Grace doth much more abound”.

Rom 5 v 20

Let our prayer be, “Lord, keep me salty”.

Confusing Fire

A fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him”. Psalm 50 v 3

A fire goes before him and devours all his enemies round about”. Psalm 97 v 3

I vividly remember the terrible screams from traumatised neighbours as they watched helplessly a timber built farmhouse ablaze in Poland It was a raging inferno, and was totally consumed in the flames.

How awesome to know that one-day our works as a Christian will be tried and tested in God’s Holy fire. ”Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s wok of what sort it is. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so by fire”. 1 Cor 3v 13/15

“For behold the Lord will come with fire and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury and rebukes with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord will be many” Isaiah 66 v 15

Today the Christian concept of God is s warped very much to God of our own imagination and not based on the Word. We can hardly conceive of a God of judgement or a God of fire. E’li’jah said when surrounded the fifty soldiers sent by king A’ha’ziah, “If I be a man of God, let the fire come down from heaven and consume thee and thy fifty”. 2 Kings 1 v

When God appeared in the cloud and I the fire on Mount Sinai , Moses said, “I exceeding fear and quake. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, not unto blackness, and the darkness and tempest”. Heb 12 v 18

“And the Lord went before them, in a pillar of cloud to lead them by day, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light; to go by day and by night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from the people”. Ex 13 v 21/22

In Johns vision of the Lord on Patmos, “And I turned to see the voice that spoke to me, and being turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven, One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the pap’s with a golden girdle.  His head and his hairs were white like wool as white as snow, and his eyes like flames of fire”. Rev 1v 12/14

In the bush fires of Australia and more recently in Indonesia , the fires burn out of control, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation after them. “The Lord is first, a burning refining fire. “But who may abide at his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is a refiners fire, and like a fullers soap”. Mal 3 v 2

“And you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 2 Thess 1 v 8

“Lord burn up the dross in my life, for Jesus sake. Amen”.

Sacrificial Life

All on the altar I lay. The sacrificial life is seldom evident today.

A missionary goes off to serve the Lord in a foreign land clutching a pile of direct debits to stay off starvation! Where is Faith? One reason I believe there is so little example is because today the preacher does not live the life”; therefore he cannot preach itAll on the altar I lay. The sacrificial life is seldom evident today.

“Take now thine only begotten son, whom thou lovest”. Gen 22 v1

Isaac was willing to be bound, he submitted to his father knowing what it meant to be an offering a sacrifice. In a type of Christ who willingly lay down his life for sinners. Gen 22 v 9

Paul had said, “What mean ye to break my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”. Acts 21 v 13

The motto of Dr Pauline Middleton was, I will go anywhere, at anytime and do anything.

Today the church replicates itself; Church members make church members, pew fillers, but not disciples! The disciples when they were called by the Lord Jesus, they immediately left all to follow him. This is radical by today’s standard, yet it should be the normal! “When a man is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away, behold, all things become new”. 2 Cor 5 v 1

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the worlds is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. What an attitude! Gal 6 v 14

We are not our own “What know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, sand ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are God’s”. 1 Cor 6 v 19

Not your own, bought with a price. “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord’s. Rom 14 v 8

Are we on fire for the Lord? Are sold out to God? Are we following in the master footsteps? Are hot? Or cold? Have we waved the white flag in surrender?

I believe that God requires an unconditional and complete surrender? Jesus is our example of the sacrificial life. He did not withhold anything but freely laid down his life.

Can we sing that old hymn, “Take my life and let it be, wholly consecrated all to thee”? Let us examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith “Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall”. 1 Cor 10 v 12

You may contact Tony Daly by email:
Tony@dalybread.freeserve.co.uk