The Feast

 

When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, not thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. “. Luke 14 12/ 14

Call the poor! How seldom we do this, perhaps at Christmas time? Rather we call our Christian friends together, and other rich friends and offer them hospitality, but neglect to call the poor, the maimed and the blind. Luke 14 v 13

What a contrast between Bel’shaz’zar’s idolatrous feast when he invited the thousands of his lords, and drank wine before the thousands. Dan 5 v 1.

Consider the contrast with the feast of the Passover. The Lord’s supper illustrates the humility of the Lord Jesus in taking a bowl and humbly washing his guest’s feet. What a host! The simple act of eating the bread and drinking the wine, remembering the Lords life and death and his returning soon, such a precious feast to those who love Him.

Bel’shaz’zar’s thoughts troubled him. Despite the opulence of the occasion, the gold and silver, the thousands of royal persons, the princes and dignitaries, he was not a happy man. “Better a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifice with strife” Prov 17 v 1

The King called the astrologers, the Chaldean’s and the soothsayers, but they could not read  the writing on the wall. Dan 5 v 27

Daniel was called, who had lived with his friends in prison, eating pulse, He had an excellent spirit, knowledge and understanding, in interpreting dreams. He was Gods man. The frightened, terrified King wanted to know what the message was written on the wall meant, Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting”.  v  27

Those two disciples on the Emmaus Road, had a lovely end to their journey. Being tired physically from the walking, yet stimulated by the Words of this unknown man, their hearts burning within them, they invited the unknown stranger to eat with them. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight” Luke 24 v 30/31

Are you feeling hungry? Is it time for a feast? I am looking forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb.  ” And he said unto me, Write blessed are they that are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb”. Rev 19 v 7

Have you received your invitation?  R.S.V. P.

Exodus 2 v 6.  John 8 v 6

The Garden

I was working in the garden of a man who had been in hospital for five months with a serious heart condition. Consequently the garden was a wilderness. The grass had grown and the weeds had flourished, making a picture of wild nature, the thorns and the thistles. As I hacked and attempted to cut back the long wet grass, I realised that underneath the tangle of weeds there was a path, which had been completely obscured by the weeds. As I worked, the Holy Spirit revealed to me, some deep spiritual lessons I needed to know.

Under an apple tree, I remembered the original garden in Eden  a paradise and then entrance of sin. Then my hands touched some rotting fruit and with that there could have been a harvest, should have been a harvest, only it had  decayed, and was lost forever.  What a tragedy!

Originally there had been a design, a plan, for this garden. It had been laid out carefully and planted to produce both flowers and  fruit, but also to bring pleasure in its beauty and fragrance. There were borders and shrubs, now much neglected, in need of pruning back,

I recalled the time when Eve looked at the forbidden fruit. The temptation, the lie of Satan,  “Hath God said? Ye shall not die”, and the fall.

The guilt they felt with the discovery of their nakedness, and the consequences of sin, being cast out from Paradise, it all happened in the garden.

The Lord reminded me of my own life, with God’s plan for it, his design, his plan for fruit and fragrance. How easily a heart can get entangled overgrown with brambles and thorns and become unfruitful. Needing more than a gentle pruning back. Math 13 v 22

It is easy to become entangled with the world again through neglect. Like plants we need that feeding, the pruning back, the tying back, the encouraging of growth.

Whether we have been planted in a light sunny position or a shady place, life’s problems can overwhelm us and choke the plant. The cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it becomes unfruitful. Math 13 v 22

“If any man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned”. John 15 v 6.

When I had finished my backbreaking task, I stood and looked at the huge pile of waste material. The bonfire was almost as high as I was.  It took a long time to burn away. I wondered as I stood there how many bonfires had I burnt?

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit”. John 15 v 2

Is it time for the Master Gardener to reach for his secateurs?

The Emmaus Road

What a journey and what a conversation.. How privileged those two disciples were to listen to the Words of Jesus, expounding in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, what a thrill!  How  I wish I had heard that conversation. Yet today it is the Holy Spirit himself who draws near and reveals all that Jesus said.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

How interesting to hear that it was Jesus himself in the cloud and in the fire. In the Exodus wanderings it was Jesus in the Tabernacle types, the water from the rock, which Moses spoke too then struck in anger. “And did drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ”. 1 Cor 10 v 4

Today many are still blind to these wonderful truths in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit showing forth in type, the future coming “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world”.  John 3 v 16

“Now these things were for our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted”.1 Cor 10 v 6

The Lord Jesus, would have spoken to them of the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, when the cloud stopped they stopped. He would have reminded them of the brazen serpent that Moses was instructed to hold up among the dying people. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Math 3 v 14

Most precious of all, the Passover Lamb, “when I see the blood, I will pass over”. The blood of the new covenant, The blood of the Lamb which is shed for you, “which taketh away the sins of the whole world” .John  1 v 29

The time must have passed very quickly as they trod that Emmaus Road. “Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us on the way. How precious today, we can still hear that still small voice that says, “This is the way, walk ye in it”. Isaiah 21 v 3

Our heart can burn within us too, as the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us in all the Scriptures. Do we see Jesus in every page. Like a hologram, he is there, unseen until sought for. Till there is a heart cry, “Lord open my eyes”. What about the unseen, indwelling Christ within us ? Are the worlds eyes holden that they never see Jesus in us ?  “Christ in me, the hope of glory”.  Col 1 v 27/

Shall we take to the road, and walk together with that unseen guest by our side? Deep into the Word of God.

Up the mountaintops of life and in valleys too let us have our hearts burn within us, as we realise afresh, the presence of the Holy One Jesus. For in his presence is fullness of joy and at his right hand there are pleasures forever more. Psalm 16 v 11

The Widow Woman

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons  of the prophets unto Ellisha, saying, “Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen”.2 Kings 4 v 1

A widow woman with a great need. The debts are unpaid, the creditors have come to take her two sons into slavery no wonder the woman seeks help from, the man of God.Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons  of the prophets unto Ellisha, saying, “Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen”.2 Kings 4 v 1

Today there are many needy, desperate people, who have creditors hammering on the door. The devil certainly wants his portion and demands it. They have sown to the flesh and now they are reaping corruption        Gal 6 v 8

They have sown to the wind and are reaping a whirlwind”. Hos 8 v 7

“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life”.  Rom 6 v 23

However this woman’s trouble were not of that kind. Her husband had loved the Lord in the school of prophets under Elisha, and no doubt she also had seen the power of God before. Now a woman in deep trouble, she approached with confidence the man of God with her request.

God is so merciful when we come confessing our deep needs.  He asks the same question that El’li’sha asked, “What shall I do for thee what is your request

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your request know to “Phil 4 v 4.

“Exceeding abundantly, above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. “Ephes 3 v 20

Yes, “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, God provides. Luke 6 v 38

“Thy hand maid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil”.

Shall we concentrate on the little we have, when God has promised to provide for us from, “his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus”? Phil 4 v 19

Jesus fed the five thousand with the two small fishes and a few loaves of barley bread. How big is our need? How urgent is our appeal? On what basis do we come? We are children of God. Will a Father give us a stone when we ask for bread? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness sake, for they shall be filled. Math 6 v 6

Bring your vessels not a few, bring them in, as many as you can, empty vessels, shut the door, and pour out.

Amazing. Shut the door and pour. Yes the widow woman needed to be redeemed, she was in great debt and when she came to the man of God, the debt was fully paid.

We too need to come to the One Mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus, and bring our vessels not a few. To be filled, then refilled again and again, till we are full..  Rom 8 v 1

We are redeemed. We can live off that poured out oil for many days to come.

“Is there anything too hard for the Lord” ? Gen 18 v 14

Three Tarry’s

When Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha, he said, “Let me, I pray thee kiss my Father and my mother and then I will follow thee”.1 Kings 19 v 20

God tested Elisha when Elijah said “Tarry here, I pray thee for the Lord has sent me to Bethel”. Three times the prophet told him, “To tarry, at Jericho, and also at Jordan. What an answer, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee”. And they two went on”.

2 Kings 2 v 6

Elisha had go”, The tenacity to recognise that God will abundantly bless, Gen 32 v 26

Ruth could say, “Whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God”. What blessing accrued from this dedicated follower of Naomi?

The prospects did not look good, there was no evidence of a rich inheritance, yet she joined in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ, (according to the flesh) …”And Boaz begat,  “Õbed of Ruth”. Math 1 v 5

“And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit is this birthright to me” ?

Later he was to rue the day he let his inheritance go.      Gen 25 v 32

Perseverance. What a blessing he would have missed if he had tarried.   There are times in life, of course, when we must tarry, to rest awhile with Jesus, and there are Divine appointments, that must not be missed. Elisha obtained his request for a double portion which even Elijah thought was a hard thing”.

“Where is the God of Elijah?  He smote the waters with the cast off mantle of Elijah, and the waters parted, hither and thither, and Elijah went over on dry ground. God confirmed his ministry with signs following. 2 Kings 2 v 14

Had he tarried, had he been distracted, had he delayed or prevaricated, he would have missed the blessing.  All that God had planned for him?

Tarry here, can be a costly mistake, whereas, ..”I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”, can bring untold wealth and blessing for generations.

There are exceptions of course. Have you received a vision? Then you certainly ought to , “tarry for it”. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie,; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry”.

Habakkuk 2 v 3.

Just a thought!

Respectable Sinner

A friend told me as she left the church as a young woman, she was challenged by another woman at the door, who asked her, “Are you born again” ? My friend was shocked and disturbed. She had attended church regularly all her young life, she believed in God and said her prayers, yet she had not realised that she was a lost sinner.

And Jesus died for sinners, did he not? It was a short conversation and my friend told me in a moment of time, she realised that she was not born again. That indeed she was a lost sinner and that Jesus died to save sinners.

At that moment, she trusted Christ to save her, having had the scales fall from her eyes. She received Jesus into her heart as her Saviour and her Lord.

In the parable of the wedding feast, the King commands his servants, to go out into the highways and the byways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the wedding; so they went and the wedding was furnished with guests, both bad and good”.  Math 22 v 10

How wonderful that, ..”.Whosoever will, may come”. Rich and poor, good looking and ugly, educated and ignorant, simple and wise.” For God is not willing, that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. 2 Peter 3 v 9

As a young successful salesman, I was seated in a banqueting hall in Italy where I was to be presented with an award for hard work. I was feeling very uncomfortable as I was not used to the splendour and grandeur of the occasion and felt out of place. How would a sinner feel in the glory of heaven?

The invited guests at the wedding feast have no merit of their own. The King bids them come, they have responded but surely they will dress for the occasion? How did the wedding guest feel that did not have on a wedding garment like the other guest? They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; Job 8:22

 He would have looked odd. He would have surely felt out of place. Perhaps he thought I would not be noticed in among the crowd. But no, the King comes in and immediately makes straight for him. “Friend how camest thou in thither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Math 22 v12

There are many that sit in the church, who need to be challenged with, Are you born again? They are secure in their own estimation, they feel,” it will be all right, after all they are respectable, believe in God and pray”.  Not realising they are undressed. They may think , “I will pass unnoticed”  not realising that they…”Are wretched, miserable, poor, naked, and blind”. Rev 3 v 17

Let us challenge any respectable sinners we find and invite them, to wash and make themselves clean, in the precious blood of Christ.  Invite them to the wedding feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb. But to warn them to put on, robes of righteousness, the garments of praise, and a wedding garment.

How is your wardrobe looking?

Precious Things

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner”   1 Peter 2   v 7

Are a hoarder?

My wife is not, she will soon discard my favourite old worn jacket, and everything that is not used is thrown away, recycled or given to charity. There is one exception she keeps an old tobacco box that belonged to her Father, which contains his penknife lighter and cuff links, these are of little or no value to the world, but are precious to her they are her treasures.

What is precious to you? God says that,..The trial of your faith, is more precious than gold which perisheth”. 1 Peter 1 v 7

“We are redeemed, not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the “precious blood of Christ”1 Peter 1 v 18

“To you, which believe he is precious”.

What else has God got in his precious storehouse? Promises. God’s promises are precious. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great, and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”. 2 Peter 1 v 4.

Partakers of the Divine nature, through the precious promises of God. What a treasure!

There was a woman who came to Jesus and poured out on him precious ointment. Some of the disciples were indignant, aghast that this costly, expensive ointment could be wasted… But the Lord rebuked them. He said, “She hath done a good work”

Many would cling on to that which is costly and precious but it is more blessed to pour it out. Our lives that are precious to God should be likewise poured out in a sacrifice of labour and love. The ointment was poured out upon Jesus, “As you do it unto the least of these my brethren you do it unto me”. Math 25 v 40

As our lives, dedicated and given in sacrifice to God, are precious to him, so also is our death. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”. Psalm 116 v 15

A mystery indeed but God is interested in every last detail of our lives. For the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So when the Spirit leaves the body and goes to be with the Lord Jesus, it is marvellous, wonderful and precious. 2 Cor 5 v 6

God has a lot of things that are precious, he waits patiently for the precious fruit of the earth, for his own people, who he loved, since, before the foundation of the world”

“Since thou was precious in my sight”. Isaiah 43 v 4

“Wisdom is more precious than rubies”. Prov 3 v 15

The Secret Watcher

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect before him. 2 Chron 16 v 9

An angry man came to challenge me in Eastbourne, Sussex. I had been preaching and giving out tracts. “Ere mate, I have been watching you, I heard you preaching up there. He had indeed been listening and watching. He was belligerent and jabbed a stubby finger into my chest and saying, Call yourself a Christian? You are all the same hypocrites. If you were any sort of a Christian you would be helping people, the poor and those in hospital”

The man paused in his tirade, to catch his breath, and I took the opportunity to share with him my testimony. I related how the Lord had led me to give up my well paid job, as a sales manager, and had sent me into the local hospitals to minister to the sick and the dying, to reach out to lost souls.

When I had finished I saw him visibly deflate. The anger was gone and he took a Gospel tract before going on his way.     Mark 5 v 19

The wicked watches the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. Psalm 37 v 32

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matthew 27:54

Some years ago now after a Gospel meeting in one of the local hospitals, a nurse came up to me and said, “I have been watching you, not just you, but all of you”, she pointed to the other Christians. “You have got something” I shared with her that we were born again, and had not something, but someone. Jesus in our heart. Rom 10 v 9

Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. “Math 5 V 11

On judgement day, what is recorded now, will be replayed back to us again, then on that vast video, not only our actions and words will be replayed, but also our thoughts. All that has been secret and hidden will be revealed and open.            Math 12 v 36.

The world is watching.  The Lord is watching, and a cloud of witnesses too.  Hebrews 12 v 36

We too need to be alert, watching and waiting. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. . Luke 12:37

Like a security guard in the night we need to be watching!

He was heard

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared”.  v 7

Have our prayers been heard ?  Have we become routine and religious ? Have we lost touch with God ?   Have we lost the love of the prayer closet ? When was the last time you had a touch from the Lord ? The last time the Lord drew near. Draw near to me and I will draw near unto you”. James 4 v 8

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

With strong crying and tears”. What is this. The Son of God weeping ! “He ever lives to make intercession for us”. I knew that, but I never realised he was weeping !

In the garden of Gethsemene, the Lord agonised in prayer, sweated as it were drops of blood, as he contemplated, bearing our sins. He who was without sin bearing my sin  and the sin of the whole world. The Holy One, weeping strong crying and tears

Shall we continue to pray with a wooden heart?

“Today, if you hear my voice, harden not your hearts” Heb 3 v 15

“The righteous cry and the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles”.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God thou wilt not despise”.   Psalm 34, v 15

God hears our conversation. Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Psalms 78:21

Jesus said, “That every idle word shall be judged”. Math 12 v 36

God certainly is able to hear our hearts cry, but can we hear Gods cry? Behold, the Lord our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: Deuteronomy 5:24

Naaman’s healing came because Elijah heard the news of his visit to Israel, the Kings anger and Elijah responded.

And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 2 Kings 5:8

Jesus reminded his disciples; For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:17

Do we need an ear trumpet?

The Wrong Direction

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying , this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. “Isaiah 30 v 21.

Have you ever had a lorry driver or car driver ask you for directions. I have. I remember telling a driver the way, and with horror, after he had driven off  I knew I had misdirected him, given him the wrong directions.  Oh dear.

This is the way walk ye in it. When in Rush, just north of Dublin, I had planned to travel south to Bray. I had asked the Lord to direct me and was puzzled when I became completely lost, I came to a stop beside a canal. I prayed again and asked the Lord to guide me.

A local dustman stopped and said “Yes” you are very near just over there”, he pointed. The Lord had guided me aright Fitzgerald Street was where I was born so it was important to get it right.

Have we been guilty of giving the wrong directions ? Are we competent to direct lost souls onto the right pathway, the narrow way that leads to life ?         Prov 4 v 14

On a long journey we need frequently to consult the map and check out the way. The broad road is not so hard to find, many are walking in it already, but the narrow way, that leads to life there are few that find it. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14

Who can we ask?  The Holy Spirit is our guide, he will point us to the map, Gods Word, and there plainly will be the way ahead. The signposts will standout, as we check daily, the route ahead. Ex 13 v21

An eternal question. “Is this the way”? Millions are lost, they have not got lost, and they have always been lost, since they were born. For they have never been in the way. I guess an evangelist will tell them. One who can see all those multitudes perishing souls, heading for a lost eternity. 2 Kings 3 v 8

Let us be like the old London Bobby, who would give clear precise directions wherever you were. The lost would always consult him. John 14 v 6

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? Isaiah 40:13

There are many  voices in the world crying out. The Hindu’s say,” this way”, the Muslims say,” this way”, the Jehovah witnesses say, ” this way”, the new age group say, “we have the way” .Ex 32 v 8

But Jesus said,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life,. No man cometh to the Father but by me”. John 14 v 6

But the anointing that you have received of him. abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but the same anointing teacheth you all things, and I truth and is no lie even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1 John 2 v 27

His Wife Looked Back

No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God”. Luke 9 v 62

How important it is for a Christian to keep looking up. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. Heb 12 v 2

The ploughman in the meadow, following the horse, had to keep his eye firmly on the marker at the top of the field, this kept the line straight, and the field pleasing to the eye. A wavering furrow is plain for all to see. The archers of old, would practice shooting straight, hours and hours of repeated effort, made an archer skilled enough to be able to hit an apple on someone’s head.

In the hustle and bustle of this pressured life it is easy to be distracted, looking this way and that, at peripheral things, things that do not matter. A footballer, who takes his eye off the ball, can quickly lose it, and miss the goal. Often the enemy of our souls will seek to distract us with seeming catastrophes, troubles, which are really satanic diversions.

Lot’s wife looked back. It had to be an effort. You can see ahead, and to the side quite easily, but to look back needs extra effort. Was her heart still in that city? Today we see many things, which are lewd, distressing, evil, violent, but we do not have to take a second look. Gen 19 v 26

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife! A second look can do a lot of damage. Genesis 26:8

Some years ago, I watched something on the television. It was a horrible report of a massacre; I should never have looked. Today that memory remains with me and can flash back at any time. I believe we are not designed to carry such awful images in our memories.  It is now nearly twenty years since the television was dumped in the rubbish tip. Hallelujah. Is it important, what we look at?

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on evil”.  Who is this who cannot look on evil?  God who is pure, holy, and righteous, God.  Hab 1 v 13.

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Genesis 6:12

Oh Lord let me have such eyes.  Do we have to keep looking back to Egypt?  We can control where we look? Are we gazing into God’s face? Looking into the Word that reflects the glory of Jesus? Are we looking into someone’s heart?

Moses looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. Exodus 2 v 12

A wrong look, a backward look or a look in the wrong direction can lead to trouble.

Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, Genesis 18:2

“But unto this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit and tremble at my Word”.

Isaiah 66 v 2.

The Rest

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he hath said”. Heb 4 v 3

Today while out exercising  our daughters dog at the recreation ground, I noticed how strenuous and active the dog was as it raced ahead to retrieve its ball. I cannot judge how fast it was running but certainly it seemed to take off like a bolt from the blue, like an arrow, streaking away in the far distance, running with all its might.

Later at home I observed how quickly the dog relaxed. It was reclining, unashamed on the floor, in a deep sleep. There was no strain, no effort, just rest.

The Lord Jesus said, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile”. Mark 6 v 31

This is not a licence for laziness. Indolence is pretty common among Christians. But for those who are labouring in the hot vineyard, a time of rest and relaxation is vital. To walk along the seashore, to rest in a meadow with the evening sun setting, just  getting away from the madding crowd.

“And on the seventh day God ended all his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made”  Gen 2 v 2

Of course there are several meanings here. Allowing the body, mind and soul to rest. Our spirit does not get tired. Resting in the spiritual realm, is the ceasing of the efforts of the flesh.

Trusting in the finished work of Christ for redemption. There is nothing we can do, nothing we are, or could be, nothing we could add to the Work of Christ on the cross. We accept the truth of the Gospel and rest in it. Receiving it, believing it, and rejoicing in it.

And in this place again, if they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth, that some must enter therein, and they, to whom it was first preached, entered not in because of unbelief: Let us therefore enter into that rest. Heb 4 v 5/11

It may seem a contradiction in terms but if there is an open door before you, you can stay out, or you can enter in. I have often struggled up a hillside or mountainside to get alone with God and to rest. Finding a place of rest. Looking over the countryside and resting. It takes effort but it is worth it.

In the parable of the wheat and the tares the faithful servant was invited to. “Enter thou, into the joy of the Lord”. Math 25 v 21.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in, through the gates into the city”. Rev 22 v 14

“For he that hath  entered into his rest, has ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Heb 4 v 10

The Departure

The train now standing at platform nine, is due to depart at .. ?

Sim’e’on knew the time had come for him to depart. He was an elderly man and on seeing the Messiah could pray “Now Lord lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation”. Luke 2 v 29

There was no fear in this statement. It had been revealed unto him, that he should not see death, until he had seen the Lord’s Christ”. Now he was gazing into his face.

Paul also knew of his departure from this world, writing to Timothy he could say, “for the time of my departure is at hand”.   2 Tim 4 v 6

Peter too knew of his departure,  “Knowing shortly that I must put off this tabernacle, even as the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me”.

What an exciting revelation to know that you will soon see the face of Jesus. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather, to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. 2 Cor 5 v 6

What a thrilling prospect. Fixed in God’s timetable, our departures time! Such confidence is never misplaced. The righteous perish, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Isaiah 57 v 1

The Lord Jesus knew of his departure time, in that beautiful prayer, “the hour is come”. John 17 v 1.

Our times are in his hands. Jesus laid down his life for us. No man took it from him, He had power to lay it down and take it up. He gave up the ghost. “Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit”.        Luke 24 v 36

Having suffered with a bad heart, for some years, the Lord revealed to me his will. I was expecting to go home to be with the Lord but I read and received Gods promise “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord”. And so it has been. Psalm 118 v 17.

The last enemy to be overcome is death. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. “As for man, his days are as grass; as the flower of the field he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall no it no more.

Psalm 103 v 15

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire”.        Rev 20 v 14.

“So when corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, than shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is thy sting”?

1 Cor 15 v 54/55

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116 v 15.

Blindness

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor 4 v 4

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned”.  1 Cor 2 v 14. 2 Cor 4 v 4

Many folks are walking in darkness. The world is full of them. The cult proliferates on every side with seekers of the truth, but the devil and his agents deceive them and lead the gullible into slavery and darkness. Jesus warned of such in his day. “Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind both shall fall in the ditch”! Math 15 v 14

In an exhortation to Christians, Peter tells them, “And beside all this, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity”

Then later But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins”. 1 Peter 1 v 6/9

What a challenge! Blind!

A blind Christian? What is this?

“Because thou sayest, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, miserable and poor, blind and naked”. Rev 3 v 17

God looks not on the outward man. Samuel looked on the outward man, he inspected E-li’ab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before me”. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”. 1 Sam 16 v 6/7                                               1 Sam 16 v 6

Eve in paradise saw the fruit and sinned. Gen  3 v 6             Gen 3 v 6

King David saw Bathsheba bathing, and sinned. 2 Sam 11 v  2            2 Sam 11 v 2

We can see the speck in our brother’s eye and sin. “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Matthew 7:4/5

The disciples, at the transfiguration, saw no man but Jesus.

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. Mark 9:2 Math 17 v 8

Paul had to deal with El’y’mus, “And now, behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking someone to lead him buy the hand”. Acts 13 v 11

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Mark 9:47

“Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus”.

Pruning Back

Every branch that beareth not fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit”.            John 15 v 2

My wife often picks up her secateurs and wanders into the garden. Soon enough there comes that familiar sound of, “clip- clip” as she snips and cuts back, this bush and that branch. I know that soon, I will have a bin full to overflowing with bracken, twigs, and a tired but happy gardener.

It is a wonderful thing to bring forth fruit.  God has a high standard. He expects fruit from every branch, The fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”.           Gal 5 v 22.

We know what Jesus said, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit is taken away. Fruit bearing then is essential. When we do bear fruit, we are then to be cut back, pruned so that we may bring forth more fruit. The cutting back can and often is, painful. Of course the knife is going to cut right through.

The dead wood must be removed. We do not like the pain, and may take the pruning back, as from the enemy, forgetting how much our heavenly gardener, loves to see, demands, fruit.

“Be patient therefore brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain”. James 5 v 7

The Lord is patient. He waits for the fruit to appear. He had long patience for it. He is a loving tender-hearted gardener. He sees, …”first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear”. Mark 4 v 28

So when the heavenly gardener approaches us, he looks for the fruit. Let us give thanks for the Lord only wants the best from the plant. “But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come” God is not going to waste any time in gathering in the precious fruit. Mark 4 v 29

When the Lord neared Jerusalem, he saw a fig tree, ..”And looked for fruit on it”, sadly there was none and the Lord cursed the fig tree.  This fig tree, represented Israel, and there was no fruit, to gather, this has allowed in God’s plan, a season , the time of the Gentiles, we are grafted in to the rootstock.

Ephes 3 v 6 .Rom 11 v 18.  Math 21 v 20

In the other parable of the gardener who wanted to cut down the unfruitful tree, the Lord graciously allowed another year. And he answering said unto him, “Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it”. Luke 13 v 8

How much time do we have?       Is it the autumn of our lives? Is it springtime? Will we bring forth fruit?  100 fold? 60 Fold? 30 Fold? Math 13 v 23.

Of No Reputation

Everything in this world cries out for recognition, position and power. What a mad scramble to get into the best position to be seen, to be in the limelight. What a contrast to the Lord Jesus who, “Made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men”; Phil 2 v 7.

The Lord humbled himself, disrobed, became a lowly servant, and made himself of no reputation. It goes against the grain. The human heart seeks always to exalt itself. Here I am, look at me, look what I am doing. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phil 2 v  3

All our lives we are trained to achieve, to try harder, to push through, to get ahead, to win. To be something, to do something, to be someone. We give accolades to those who make the headlines. We need to be noticed, to get into the Guinness book of records,  to display our trophies, medals, and to say, “I did it my way”.

Of no reputation. How injured we are, how offended we become at the slightest criticism of our character. “For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself, but let every man prove his own work”. Gal 6 v 3

“For all seek their own and not the things that are of Jesus Christ”.         Phil 2 v 21

Moses was a  humble man. King David could say, “Who am I Lord, and what is my house that thou brought me hitherto”. 2 Sam 7 v 8

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith”. Romans 12 v 3

“Whosoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”. Math 23 V 12

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. Ecclesiastes 10:1

Jesus the Lord made himself of no reputation. Do we have this attitude of mind? Will we humble ourselves. Will we take on the form of a servant and wash our brother and sisters feet? Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Philippians 2:29

What doth the Lord require of thee? To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly, with thy God”. Micah 6 v 8

The Ravens

Elijah was hiding at the brook Cherith that is before Jordan. He had obeyed God and the ravens had brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening and he drank of the clear water of the brook during the heat of the day.

God’s provisions are wonderful. “But my God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus “Phil 4 v 19

Today, some trainee missionaries are asked by their missionary society to drum up support, in the form of collecting a number of direct debits, to be used at the bank for their provision on the mission field, in serving the Lord. What a travesty ? No faith !

Faith it seems goes out the window. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith, is sin” Romans 14 v 23

Brother Joshua Daniel’ told us that he teaches his young men in Bible College, having completed their studies, he will send them to some remote district, with only a one way ticket”. If they have faith, they will willingly go. It soon divides the men from the boys. The eye of faith can see beyond the present scene. “The things that are seen are temporal, the things that are not seen are eternal”. 2 Cor 4 v 18

I believe those Old Testament Israelites, could see ahead in faith, to the cross. Each time they brought an innocent sacrificial lamb to the priest at the tabernacle or Temple.  The Holy Spirit showing them in type, the coming, Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

Waiting as he did at Cherith, watching the life giving sustaining waters gradually diminish, did Elijah look with expectant faith, for the evening when again the ravens would arrive with bread and meat? As the sun set and the darkness came, did he search the sky for those faithful birds? Were they the same ones each day

God allows the circumstances of life, our provisions for our daily needs to dry up gradually so that we may look for God’s provision, look for those ravens who carry the daily bread and meat. What a lesson!

Faith! When testifying to a Sunday school, of living by faith, I reminded the children of the ravens. I said, I believe that if the Lord wanted too, he could again feed us by sending the ravens, bringing needed food to my home. The Sunday school teachers were I think, somewhat sceptical, the children had broad smiles on their faces. They innocently believed. They had faith.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. Mark 10:15

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Job 38:41

Behold the fowls of the air: they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.      Math 6 v 26

Isaiah 34:11

Maelstrom

During world war two, there was an epic struggle taking place on the high seas. As I was in the Merchant Navy for a short time, I remember especially those valiant men who fought their way through icy seas, in convoy to Russia.

My father was stationed in Malta and watched those bombed tankers, the few survivors, limp into harbour, with much damage. It was a great price to pay for the much needed oil, for the air defences of the island and the urgently needed food and supplies. The enemy did everything he could to stop those convoys. The ships, badly listing through hits from the enemy bombs, lying low in the water, sometimes so badly damaged they sank in the harbour. Many, did not arrive at all!

So it is with our spiritual battle. The conflict is intense with many the fiery darts of the enemy getting through, There is structural damage. Our ship of faith may be hit by enemy bombs, and raked with machine gun fire.  There is a constant danger of shipwreck. Will we limp into port, lying low in the water with bomb damage or will  we make safe harbour?

Life is a battle. What battles Joshua fought. What conflicts King David endured. What a cruel cross the Lord Jesus had to face. What agony he endured in the garden, and overcame with love.

Are we to sail through life without a storm? Will we sail through life on a calm sea?  Can we always say, “Our lines have fallen in pleasant places”? Are we life long members of a happy, happy club with one long round of parties? What does  “Take up thy cross, mean”?

Of course there are times and seasons of blessing, of course the joy of the Lord is our strength, praise God we can say, it is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Psalm 16 v 6

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

1 Peter 1 v 8

Paul went through great trials and afflictions, but he could say, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”.

2 Cor 4 v 17.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full”. The disciples of Jesus were often in a storm. Shall we escape? Paul was in the midst of a terrible trouble, most of his life. “I will show him how great things he must suffer for my names sake”.

Acts 9 v 16

“In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often, of the Jews, five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck…….2 Cor 11 v 23/33

In these days of intense spiritual struggle we need to seek the safe harbour in the arms of Jesus.

Is there a little wind getting up?

Three Days Journey

Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. Gen 22 v 4

Abraham obeyed God and went with his son Isaac, whom he loved, to the land of Mori’ah. He was willing to sacrifice his son, the child of promise, in faith, believing that God was able to raise him up again, that promised seed, which was to be, “As the sand on the seashore and as the stars in the sky.hen on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. Gen 22 v 4

“Gen 15 v 5

What, I wonder did he think about as he walked with his son on those three days? Did the Holy Spirit draw near, and comfort him? Did his heart burn within him? Did he wrestle with thoughts, the cost of obedience, or was it for the joy that was set before him?

Hebrews 12 v 2

The Lord Jesus set his face as a flint, as he journeyed towards Jerusalem. He knew what lay ahead. The terrible cost, the high price in suffering, the agony in the garden, the struggle to carry the cross up the hill of Golgotha.

Isaiah 50 v 7

Some years ago, I walked the hundred miles from Eastbourne to Hampshire on the South Downs Way. As I walked alone, the Holy Spirit drew near and revealed lessons to me. As I trudged up the arduous hills, my head down looking out for rough rocks in the pathway, glancing up to the crest of the hill I could not see any further. Each time I reached the top, there would be beautiful vista’s opening up. The views were spectacular. I had to stop often to refer to the map, the guidebook to locate my position.  Isaiah 30 v 21

As I struggled up the hills, out of breath, I thought of the narrow way. I was reminded of the effort, the discipline, the will power and tenacity, to carry on when things got tough. Without seeing a soul, I recalled the testing times the Lord Jesus had in the wilderness, how the angels had come to minister to him after the struggle with the tempter.  Math 4 v3

The Lord Jesus walked many miles alone. It has advantages in that you have time to meditate and think on Gods Word. A time to reflect. What a blessing to an itinerant preacher! “Let us go  into the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth to preach”. Mark 1 v 38

What was Abraham thinking about on his journey? He certainly got the victory, for he was able to reply to his son’s question, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb, for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide for himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together”. Gen 22 v 7

Abraham” believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness”. Romans 4 v 22

Are we to be like lemmings, blindly racing towards certain death at the cliff edge? “There is a way that seem right unto man but the end thereof  the ways of death”.  Prov 14 v 12

Let us be careful which road we take. Will it be the Jericho road?  Will we choose the Kings Highway, the road to Jerusalem? “By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and went out, not knowing, wither he went. “Heb 10 v 8

On life’s journey let us choose, “The new and living way”.

Hebrews 10 v 20

Stubbornness

As a child, I would sometimes refuse to wash, and would be dragged screaming to the dreaded , soap and water. I was a stubborn little boy.   On holiday in Ireland we would sit fascinated watching the flames lick up the chimney, from a turf fire.

Occasionally as a treat we would visit the nearby turf fields where the turf was cut. This was a great event, to see the men cutting the turf’s and stacking them up in big piles. My Dad would hitch up the grey donkey to its small cart and we wobbled along the empty country lanes to the bog.

Neat piles of turf’s stretched out in rows filled the horizon and there were dangerous holes partly filled with water, which we were warned about. After cutting and loading the turf we were all tired and weary, looking forward to the return journey, a meal and another sit around the fire.

The donkey had other ideas for it refused to move an inch. I remember my Father encouraging it to move on, with food, coaxing it gently, then tugging at the reigns, then beating the donkey with a stick. However whatever was done, it availed little for the donkey was stubborn and would not move forward or back. Reluctantly we children had to walk home in the twilight, leaving my Father still struggling with the stubborn ass.

Many Christians are like this stubborn donkey. Our wills are so strong; I include myself in this. At times we can refuse to obey, neither the carrot nor the stick makes any difference. Whether it the still small voice of God that encourages us, or the stick of Gods chastisements, neither makes us move. God says that Stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. “Strong stuff eh”?

1 Sam 15 v 23

Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin: Deut 9:27

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Deut 21:18

Balaam was angry with his ass, he thought is was stubborn! It refused to go on another step. So Balaam beat it.

But whatever Ba’laam did, he could not get that ass to move. Of course, we know that the ass could see the angel of the Lord in the way. Will God have to speak to us through the mouth of an ass? Num 22 v 31

And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. Judges 2:19

What of that gentle colt the Lord Jesus rode on, did it struggle and resist the Lord? Was it stubborn and did it refuse to move? Did it refuse to carry the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? John 12 v 15

“If you are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land, but if you refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it”. Isaiah 1 v 19/20

Stretch Forth Thine Hand

The man sitting  in the  Temple was quite comfortable, no one knew that his hand was withered. He was happy to have it hidden away from the public gaze, tucked out of sight in his clothing. The man with the withered hand was listening and watching the Lord Jesus. He wanted to remain anonymous, just one in a crowd. How dreadful, how shocking, it must have been for him to be singled out, when the finger of the Lord Jesus was pointing at him.

The finger of God!

When God challenges us, we have a hard decision to make. “Stretch forth thine hand”, is a command. The first thing the Holy Spirit does is to expose our sin, our hidden secret sins.

It had happened with Achan after the victory at Jericho. The walls of the city had fallen down and on entering a ruined house he found jewels, silver and gold! What had attracted his attention most was a beautiful Babylonian garment; he stole them and secreted them away in his tent. It was not noticed by anyone.

He thought he had succeeded in his deceit. But God had found him out. Joshua had been lying on his face after the defeat of A’i. God had spoken to Joshua, “Get thee up, wherefore liest thou, thus upon thy face? Israel has sinned”. Joshua 7 v 10

Back in the Temple, the man with the withered hand brought it out from beneath his clothing and stretched it out. Now every one could see he was crippled. They could see his disability. But as he stretched it forth, in obedience to Jesus, a wonderful thing happened. His hand was healed. He was whole. This was public too; everyone could now see, his hand was healthy and whole. Hallelujah. Glory to God

A stretched out hand was the cause of the fall of man. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Genesis 3 v 22

Abraham stretched forth his hand to slay his son, the Angel forbade him.  Gen 22 v 10

Israel stretched forth his right hand in blessing. and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Genesis 48 v 14

Peter took the lame man, who sat outside the gate beautiful, took him by his right hand and said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”. Acts 3 v 6

He took him by the right hand and lifted him up. “For the Lord will hold thy right hand, saying  “Fear not, I will help thee”.  Isaiah 41 v 1

The Lord Jesus stretched forth his hands to be nailed to a cruel cross.

Weakness

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness! A spider’s web looks so fragile, so vulnerable, and so weak. Yet it is immensely strong it has tremendous tensile strength.

Moses felt inadequate and weak, even after witnessing two mighty miracles of God, The rod in his hand became a snake, then turned back again to a rod, his hand became white as snow, with leprosy, then whole again, and the promise of God to turn the water into blood. Truly might works, yet Moses still complained, “Oh Lord, I am not eloquent”. Exodus 4 v 10

Joshua and Caleb however, could declare their faith, when reporting on the giants in the land they declared, We are well able to overcome them.   Numbers 22 v 11

David the shepherd boy, with a sling and a stone could declare, …”Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God”.         1 Sam 17 v 26.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty”. An unequal contest you might think. But that is how God operates.      1 Cor 1 v 27

A chain breaks at its weakest point

Can we say with Paul, “When I am weak, then I am strong”.                  2 Cor 12 v 27.

No longer do we have to operate in our own strength,, or with our own resources, talents, or abilities. The enigma of God’s Word is that, “Without me, you can do nothing”, yet, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”.     Phil 4 v 13

Not eloquence, methods, experience, not education, or effort. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord”. Zechariah 4 v 6

A carpenter has a bag of tools. Each one suited for a particular job. We are to be like those tools. We are to be used, picked up and put down, as he wills. What if the saw thought it could drill a hole, or the hammer, saw a piece of wood. Laughable isn’t it. Why should we be a hindrance to God’s work?

Willing

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land, but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 1 v 19

We have a clear division in God’s Word, a distinction, a choice between blessing and the curse, a choice between life and death.  God’s Word tells us, If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according that he hath not”.

 2 Cor 8 v 12.

I believe we are saved to serve but some people are not willing to sacrifice all to follow Jesus.  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Math 6 v 24.

Are we going to remain like a stubborn donkey that refuses to move rooted to the spot, or like a child that clamps its mouth together at feeding time! Such a child is a big problem to its parents.

What God can do with a willing heart! Willing to spend and be spent. The churches in Macedonia were such, …”We were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us”. 1 Thess2 v 8

“Who then is willing, to consecrate his service this day, unto the Lord” 1 Chron 29 v 5

Paul said, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision”. I have met some people who have had a vision from the Lord, felt a Godly call for service, yet have not responded. You can drag a horse to the water, but you cannot make it drink.

“Who then is of a willing heart? God told Moses to build the Tabernacle, and “Take ye from among you, an offering unto the Lord; whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering unto the Lord; gold, silver, and brass”. Exodus 35 v 5

Moses must have rejoiced on that day, as the people came bringing their gifts for the Lord, “And they came both men and women as many as were willing hearted”. Exodus 35 v 21/24

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth”. Psalms 110 v 3

Paul could say that he was willing to leave this earthly scene, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. 2 Cor 5 v 8

God’s conditional promise is for blessings, If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land, but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.   Isaiah 1 v 9

Jesus had to ask his Father to be willing, saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done”. Luke 22:42

“Lord, please give me a willing heart”.  In Jesus name. Amen. 1 Chron 29

Set thine house in order

What a message to give,. “Set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live” Nothing is said of how the prophet Isaiah felt, as he left the Kings palace having delivered his message. He had been obedient, he had spoken God’s Word faithfully. Isaiah 38 v 1

What a shock for King Hezekiah. God had told him he was to die. There was no getting out of it, no escape, when God speaks that’s it. He turned his face to the wall, prayed and wept.   It was a desperate fervent prayer, a mixture of despair and desperation. How many times we pray like this when in a crisis.

How many of us could pray like this, “Remember  now  Oh Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight, and Hezekiah wept”.

Was Isaiah shocked. He had to go back to the palace, and reverse the message… What a test of obedience? He could have said, “God does not change his mind”.  He could have refused to go back afraid of being made to look a fool. But he obediently retraced his steps and gave out the message of mercy and the promise of life.

The Gospel message of new life is not just for fifteen years, but for eternity.  It is a message I never tire of giving. Sadly today folks having been warned of God do not readily turn their face to the wall and weep.

“God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. 2 Peter 3 v 9

God’s mercies are new every morning and his compassion’s fail not, each new day is a day of salvation, today, God says,”If you hear my voice harden not your hearts” Heb 3 15

How many days do we have? The clock is ticking. Are we seeking the Lord in repentance and tears? Will we hear the Holy Spirit say, “Thou fool, today thy soul is required of thee”.

Luke 12 v 20

Hezekiah prayed a life saving prayer, for the Lord heard him, saw his tears and repentance and in mercy granted him a reprieve.

How many prisoners have been on death row and at the last minute received a pardon, a reprieve. What a relief!

“Then came the Word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying…”I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will add unto thy days fifteen years”

Isaiah 38 v 5

God’s mercies are new every morning and his compassion’s fail not, each new day is a day of salvation, today, God says ,”If you hear my voice harden not your hearts”. Heb 3 1

How many days do we have? The clock is ticking. Are we seeking the Lord in repentance and tears?

Walk in the Spirit

And as many, walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the God of Israel

Gal 6 v 16And as many, walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the God of Israel

You never see an eagle floundering in the gutter? He flies so high above the mountains, he rises up with the winds, the air currents, and soars high, on the thermals.

So it is with walking in the Spirit. We rise above the mundane, earthly scene we break through the clouds and are transported into a third heaven. With a higher view, things take their rightful place. The huge problem looks normal in its proper perspective.

What a battle takes place for control of the flesh. The devil has for years had complete control, of emotions, will, and motivations. Suddenly there is a new, living, incorruptible seed planted in the heart, which when fed, grows and flourishes, then gradually takes full control of the thought life, the will and the life.

“The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit lusteth against the flesh, and these are contrary, the one to the other, so that you cannot do the things that ye would”.   Gal 5 v 17

If we constantly feed our fears and phobias, we unconsciously make them important, more important than they really are. If we leave them, neglect them, ignore them,, and turn our full attention onto feeding the new man, the old man, neglected, unfed, will wither and die.

“Walk in the Spirit”. Walking is the most basic and natural thing we do. One of the first joys of parenthood is seeing the baby taking those first few steps. He is a truth, which ensures the victory over the flesh, to enter in, to walk. “This is the way, walk ye in it” No compromise, not deviations, no prevarication. Like the Lord Jesus, he set his face like a flint, towards Jerusalem. Isaiah 50 v 7

When learning the basis formula of electricity, we learn of the positive and the negative current. If you are positive, it is impossible to be negative and visa versa..

`I often told my salesmen who were worried and concerned over their problems, let us sit down and look at them. Taking some small object, I would place it on the table and invite them to study it today, tomorrow, and the following day.  Of course after many days the problem, real or imagined, would appear much larger than it really was..

However when we turn away from our situations and look into the face of Jesus, then the world and its troubles fade away. Heb 12 v 2

This I say then, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh”. Gal 5 v 16

Man’s fire

When I was a lad in wartime Britain, one of my duties was to kindle the evening fire. Wood was scarce and many times I would resort to using newspaper, screwed up into twist, in place of the kindling wood. A heap of used cinders or coal would be placed upon this and all would be ready to light

My efforts would be doomed to failure. On many occasions the fire would refuse to take. Sometimes the paper would be so tightly twisted, or the coal damp or just that there was too much weight of coal and the whole thing would collapse.  On many occasions the room would fill up with smoke and I would reluctantly, have to start all over again.

The famous 18th century evangelist, John Wesley, described himself as a “brand plucked from the burning”. Yes I believe it was his home that was on fire and he was plucked from the window just in time to save his life. Zech 3 v 2

“And Na’dab and A’bi’hu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered a strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out  a fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord”. Lev 10 v 2

Aaron’s sons had tried to copy, to emulate Gods holy fire. God was angry and they both died, strangely with the “fire from the Lord”. v 2

The fire I tried to build as a little boy, is an illustration of “man’s effort” in fire making. It would often leave a cold, smoked filled room, without a fire at all.

This reflects our fleshly efforts to create fire in worship. It is the difference between the soul and the Spirit. The soul is well meaning, can be deeply religious, desires to make a show, to light a fire, but it remains the flesh. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not”. Romans 7 v 18

When Aaron’s sons tried to replicate God’s fire they declared their own death sentence. And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the Lord. Numbers 26 v 61

Elijah was able to call down God’s fire but the prophets of Baal cut themselves and tried to call down the fire all to no avail. No one cared and no one answered… 1 Kings 18 v  29

Our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12 v 29

And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.  Exodus 24  v 17

Many Christians are lost in the smoke of their man made fire. They look dirty and smell of smoke. Shadrach Meshech and Abednigo all came through the fire and had no smell of burning on them. Dan  3 v 27

Let God’s Holy Spirit fan the flames of his holy fire. Acts 2 v 3

The door shall be shut

Have you ever locked your self out. I returned to my home one day to find my neighbour struggling to get into his front door. He failed and had to telephone a local locksmith who arrived clutching master keys and tools. Jesus Christ holds the keys to death and hell.  Rev 1 v 18

It is easy to lock yourself out of your car, the keys are left in the ignition you shut the door to realise in horror that you have locked yourself out. An own goal!  The door shall be shut? Lord the foolish virgins cried, “Open to us”. Luke 13 v 25

The door shall be shut! The Word of God tells us that, “I set before you an open door and no man can shut it”. What a promise!  Rev 3 v 8

God’s open door is salvation. Jesus said, I am the door by me if any man shall enter in he shall be saved. and shall go in and out and find pasture.

John 10 v 9

Jesus opens the door of eternal life he gives the invitation to lost sinners, Come unto me, the table is set, the invitations are given out,, you are welcome, come thou and enter into the house of the Lord. John 14 v 2

Those foolish virgins were shut out forever.. They mistakenly thought they could enter in .And there shall no wise enter in to it, anything that defileth, neither worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they, which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  Rev 21v 27

The city, the Heavenly City Jerusalem has twelve gates, enough for many people to enter in whereas the tabernacle had only one way to enter. And at the gates twelve angels, and the names written thereon. Rev 21 v 12

Shut out from heaven, shut out from God’s mercy, shut out forever from holiness, righteousness and peace. Shut out because they lacked oil in their lamps.

There could be no excuse for there was ample oil available, a plentiful supply, and an inexhaustible supply! If we do not fill up it is our fault, we  will soon run dry. A car engine needs lubrication oil, without it the engine will soon seize up!

Oil; we know is a type of the Holy Spirit. How easily the flow can be quenched or hindered by some small speck of dirt, some impediment, some hidden sin. Oh let us not have lamps of profession but lacking oil, lamps that may shine brightly on the outside but they can give no light!

“And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep”. Oil is needed for those dark hours.1 Sam 3 v 3

We are living in an age of sin and spiritual darkness The door shall be shut, “Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord  open unto us. But he and answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not”.

Math 25 v 12

Bad News

Then Asa was wrath with the seer, and put him in the prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing”.2 Chron 16 v 10

I just noticed a man, walking down the road clutching his morning newspaper. Many folks are reading it as they walk, avidly devouring the bad news as they walk, oblivious of anything else. They are totally absorbed as they go by, narrowly missing a bang on the head from a collision with a lamppost.

A neighbour of ours would knock on the door to bring us the latest news. She loved to tell of the latest death, or serious illness or some calamity. Cancer was always a favourite subject, and with a grave expression, she would relate the gory details. The gloom and doom message occupied her thoughts totally.

People’s appetite for bad news seems insatiable, hence the continuing success of the news tabloids. Gossip, innuendo, and plain lies, character assassination, and trial by media is now becoming normal.

What occupies our minds today? Do we fill our minds with rubbish? Do we dwell on the bad news? The Bible tells us, “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus”.         Phil 2 v 5

Is this possible? What thoughts occupied his mind? Thoughts of love, joy, peace, He was lifted up in cruel agony on the cross, yet could still think of others. The thief hanging beside him, John the Apostle, his mother, and the hostile crowd. For his tormentors he had only compassionate thoughts, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do. “Luke 23 v 34

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, who’s mind is stayed on thee, for he trusteth in thee”. Isaiah 26 v 3

Asa, was angry with the prophet because he brought him bad news, news of wars, news of defeat. Asa was not a happy man.       2 Chron 16 v 10

Eli the prophet waited to hear news of the battle, the news was so bad that he fell off the gate and broke his neck. And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 1 Samuel  4 v 17

The news today, dominates our thoughts. Is it really news that” the human heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it”? Jer 17 v 9

King David was distressed on the news of his son Absolom, And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absolom.

 2 Samuel 15 v 13

Are you full of loving thoughts, this morning? “Bringing into captivity, every thought unto the obedience of Christ”. 2 Cor 10 v 4b.

“Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things”. Phil 4 v 8

It’s worth thinking about!

Suffering

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: If we deny him, he will also deny us”

2 Tim 2 11/12

If we suffer! We shall also reign with him.  Who is willing to suffer? It is not a popular subject!      Now to reign with him, that would be different. A conditional promise.

One of the most common questions thrown at a Christian is this, “Why does God allow suffering”?  Not easy to answer, but there are many reasons. “If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God”. James 1 v 5

I have witnessed much suffering in hospital ministry over the years.  With folks who have lost their loved ones, others who growing old have lost their partners, families, their health and strength. Losing their sight, their hearing, or a limb. Often in pain, with accusing eyes and bitter hearts, they often blame God. It never occurs to them that sin may be in the equation. They would rather point the finger and rail on God as if he planned their suffering.

No, God created and then placed man in Paradise. It was a perfect place and man walked and talked with God. Then the fall came, sin entered in and they were cast out of the garden and then judgement in the form of the curse. So the curse is one reason. Gen 3 v 1

Another reason is found in the book of Job.  God is boasting. “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil. Behold all that he hath is in thy power, only upon himself put forth, not thine hand”.  “Job 1 v 8 12.

Job suffered because the Lord was testing him, believing he would come through it triumphantly, and he did. Job 42 v 12

A Christian suffers because of what he believes, and the life he leads, for, “All who will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution”.

2 Tim 2 12

Then, there are those who are being tested. “Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” 1 Peter 4 v 12

Mostly though, I believe folks suffer because of sin, in their lives..  “If you sow to the flesh ye shall reap corruption. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God ? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God”.

James 4 v 4

Another reason today for much sickness is the laissez-faire, way some folks treat the Lord’s table. Did they examine their hearts? Did they  discern the Lord’s body ?  “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body. For this cause many are weakly and sickly among you and many sleep”. 1 Cor 11 v 29 / 30

Finally and simply, There are things God can do in suffering, teaching us precious lessons that cannot be learned any other way.

Treasure

Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break in and steal: For where your treasure is there will your heart be also”. Math 6 v 19/21

In Indonesia, a luxury cruise liner ran into difficulties when the engines failed in a storm. The ship rolled helplessly in the high seas. An SOS was sent out and rescue ships were soon on their way.

The passengers were called to the lifeboat stations, and were being embarked. A rich woman ordered her servant to go back to the cabin to retrieve her strong box. It contained her jewellery and valuables. Although this was life and death, situation, her thoughts were on that strong box, containing the diamonds and precious things.

That is where her heart was. The storm may rage, but her heart was back in the cabin, in that strong box.

Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15 v 16

Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon”. It is a fact, but sadly, many, many folks try. “If any man love the world, or the things in the world, the love of the Father is not in him

1 John 2 v 15.

When a baby is born, it is still connected to its mother by the umbilical cord. One of the first tasks the midwife performs, is to cut that umbilical cord. The baby has been fed through this tube for nine months, and now it is severed.

There are many who name the name of Christ who have never had the umbilical cord to the world cut. They are still being fed, by the old system. Things and possessions loom large in their thinking. For some they are totally absorbed by them. Even some Pastor’s are dominated by the thought, where is the money going to come from?

That old worldly system is being cranked up, still being fed by worldly lust and desires. This sometimes is disguised in the phrase, it’s the Lord’s business, you know, or something similar.

I observe elderly folks, passing in the street, while I preach. They are searching the shops for goods, seeking some soulish item, the devil says will give them pleasure, while creeping along painfully on a walking stick or walking frame.

Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.

Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart”.  Psalm 37 v 4. Math 6 v 33

“But lay up for yourself, treasure in heaven”. Math 6 v 20

Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks.

Gen 43 v 23