Evil Thoughts

And it repented the Lord that he had ever made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth. Gen 6 v 6/7

What awful divine thoughts? To destroy his creation. Do we ever enter into the Father’s pain and hurt, with his own creation becoming so wicked? What a contrast to, “And God saw that everything that he had made, and behold it was very good”. Gen 1 v 3

God saw the wickedness of man was very great in the earth, and that the imagination of the thoughts of his hearts was only evil continually. “Truly the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can no it”.      Jer 17 v 9.

In Jeremiah we find these words, “Therefore, pray not for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me, for I will not hear thee”. This is repeated several times, Jer 7 v 16.

 Jer 11 v 12. Jer 14 v 11.

The awful consequences of sin.  The Lord Jesus knew the human heart, my heart. He said, “For from within, out of the heart, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; all these come from within and defile the man”.   Mark 7 v 2/23

The heart of Jesus was sinless. “He was without guile, he was pure in thought, word and deed. “In all points tempted like we are, yet without sin”. Heb 4 v 15

“It grieved God, that he had ever made man”.  Israel his chosen people had grieved him. “How often did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert”? Psalm 78 v 40

“Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said they do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you, an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God”. Heb 3 v 12

How do we stand in comparison? “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”.                     Ephes 4 v 30

I have to ask myself. “Is God grieved with my life”? Are my words, my thoughts, causing the Holy One of Israel to grieve? How sad it is to cause God grief? Sometimes our own families cause us much grief. Many times it is a church member, or another Christian.

Paul could say, without guile and despite the problem in the church that his thoughts were unsullied and pure “If any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me”.  2 Cor 2 v 5

“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 good report; if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things!  Phil 4 v 8

A Cairn of Stones

And Laban said, This heap shall be a witness between me and thee this day, therefore the name of it was called, Gal’e’ed”.Gen 31 v 46

The stones marked the spot!

While driving in Hertfordshire, on coming around a bend, I was confronted with an oncoming lorry overtaking on the bend and my road completely blocked. Suddenly I was in a life or death situation. I braked violently and my van skidded and swerved with the oncoming lorry, just yards away from a head on collision. The van veered off the road onto the grass bank, bumping and sliding until it came to a shuddering stop in a farm gateway. I was shocked, shaken but unhurt. Then I was angry.

Looking back I can praise God for keeping me safe. At the time of this incident I was not saved. I was not a Christian.

I had not been born again and had I died at that time, I certainly would have gone to a deserved judgement. So it was the mercy of God that had kept me safe!

The lorry driver claimed that he had been overtaking on the straight and not on the bend, he said he had built a Cairn of stones at the spot where he had overtaken the other lorry. He had erected this heap of stones to prove his innocence. However after the magistrates had gone to look at the sight they found him guilty of dangerous driving.

There are places and times in life, where we desire to mark the spot, to record that we were there. Caves and tree trunk will quickly prove this point with the many marks, and engravings with penknives, inscribing the initials of some friend carved into them.

In my life there are places that I would call holy ground, where I have met with God. The Bible is full of them. In the life of Moses, the burning bush, on the mountain top with God listening  for 40 days and nights.

Abraham also had special places where he built altars and worshipped the Lord.  “And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there he builded and altar unto the Lord who appeared to him”.                Gen 12 v 7

The cross, where Jesus suffered and died for sinners has forever marked the hill of Golgotha. Did the blood that fell from the dying form of Jesus and soaked the ground at Calvary , has it marked that spot forever?

When Cain murdered Abel the Lord said, ”What hast thou done? The voice of thy brothers blood crieth unto me from the ground”. Gen 4 v 10

The Mount of Olives is a marked spot where Jesus taught his disciples and where he often resorted. “For then the Lord shall go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives , which is before Jerusalem ”.  Zech 14 v 3/4

Have you erected a cairn of stones? Perhaps it is time to build one?

Lost

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem , seeking him”. The wise men from the east came to seek for Jesus. He was not lost. He was at God’s appointed place…”In Bethlehem of Ju’dae’a for thus it is written by the prophets. Math 2 v 2/5

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews”? Math 2 v 2

Oh, would that question ring out from our hearts, in our land! Where is he?

While I was waiting in a local supermarket, I stood at the end of an aisle and I observed the faces of the other shoppers. They were worried, anxious, and apprehensive. Peering up and down each new row, with a vacant lost look in the eyes.

A child that has lost its mother always brings forth compassion and love in us. The fear and the torment of the lost child are only relieved, when the child is reunited with his mother once more. Luke 2 v 45

Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost. Sometimes like a person suffering from dementia, we are not aware that we are lost. We are far from God. We have become confused and have lost track of things.

We are just like those anxious shoppers who wander up and down the aisles in the supermarket. Sadly, we are not anxious over our sins. Jesus told the parable of the shepherd who left the ninety and nine, to go off seeking one lost sheep. What rejoicing there was when it was found and he returned bearing it up on his shoulder? Luke 15 v 4

We can lose faith! Faith has to be fed; to thrive for iron sharpens iron. Will others find our faith strong? Or, did we once run well? Are we living on low level faith? There are some aircraft that always fly low. They can never reach 33,000 feet!

Like a cormorant that loves to fly just above the waves at sea level just skimming the surface. Sometimes Christians are low level flyers they just skim the surface. Let us rise up higher and wing our way, upward.   Are we lost? Have we lost the type of faith that lifts us high and raises others upward?

Precious things need to be protected, and kept safe otherwise we may, like the absent-minded professor, lose them. Some folks are constantly losing things!

And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of thy servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. 1 Sam 9 v 3

We must not lose sight of Jesus. The owner of a fine jewel will get it out of the strong box from time to time, to inspect it. To look once more on its beauty.

Let us not get neurotic, but check that we keep contact with the friend of friends.  Luke 15 v 24

“What do you mean, you lost sight of Jesus”? 2 Cor 4 v 4

A Strange FIre

And Na’dab and A’bi’hu, the sons of Aa’ron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not”.        Lev 10 v 1

A wonderful, awesome thing had happened, the fire of the Lord had fallen. ”Which when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces”.  Lev 9 v 24

Then a terrible thing happened, Aaron’s sons offered up, a strange fire”

How dangerous it was, and presumptuous, to try and emulate or copy God’s holy fire. The glory of the Lord had appeared and the people had fallen on their faces. Why did Na’dab and A’bi’hu try to follow God with their fleshly, soulish effort?

Sadly it is true that many people seeing God’s blessing, try to emulate it, to stimulate another blessing. This is fleshly effort and from Satan.

“Which he commanded them not”. Who told them to do it? They had no excuse and paid the price of presumption by forfeiting their lives. A warning indeed for all! The lesson we have to learn is, “That no flesh shall glory in his presence, 1 Cor 1 v 29.

We are on dangerous ground when our flesh seeks to be exalted. “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord”. 2 Cor 10 v 17

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone”.  Pride and a desire for glory perhaps was the motivating factor for these two sons of Aa’ron

Like Satan who desired to ascend.  “How thou art fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How thou art cut 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”.              Isaiah 14 v 12/13

The prophets of Ba’al, tried to call the fire down, calling upon the name of Ba’al, from morning even until noon , saying, O Ba’al hear us. But there was no voice or any that answered”.  1 Kings 18 v 26

Elijah was able to prevail with God and the fire fell, because he was obeying the word of God. “That I have done all these things at thy word”.                                                                      1 Kings 18 v 36

Oh how much we need the fire to fall. It is regrettable, that there are so very few sacrifices, laid out on the altar of faith, for the fire to fall on.

God does not accept fleshly activity in worship. When King David and the people played on all manner of instruments before the Lord with the Ark of God this was not accepted by God for they were disobedient for the Ark was not being carried by the Levitical priest. Uzzar died when he touched the Ark.                 2 Sam 6 v 6

Our worship may be religious, it may be well-meaning, it may be sincere, but is it in the spirit? “God is a Spirit and seeks those to worship him in spirit and in truth”.                       John 4 v 24

The Chosen Ones

And Na’dab and A’bi’hu, the sons of Aa’ron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not”.        Lev 10 v 1

A wonderful, awesome thing had happened, the fire of the Lord had fallen. ”Which when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces”.  Lev 9 v 24

Then a terrible thing happened, Aaron’s sons offered up, a strange fire”

How dangerous it was, and presumptuous, to try and emulate or copy God’s holy fire. The glory of the Lord had appeared and the people had fallen on their faces. Why did Na’dab and A’bi’hu try to follow God with their fleshly, soulish effort?

Sadly it is true that many people seeing God’s blessing, try to emulate it, to stimulate another blessing. This is fleshly effort and from Satan.

“Which he commanded them not”. Who told them to do it? They had no excuse and paid the price of presumption by forfeiting their lives. A warning indeed for all! The lesson we have to learn is, “That no flesh shall glory in his presence, 1 Cor 1 v 29.

We are on dangerous ground when our flesh seeks to be exalted. “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord”. 2 Cor 10 v 17

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone”.  Pride and a desire for glory perhaps was the motivating factor for these two sons of Aa’ron

Like Satan who desired to ascend.  “How thou art fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How thou art cut 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”.              Isaiah 14 v 12/13

The prophets of Ba’al, tried to call the fire down, calling upon the name of Ba’al, from morning even until noon , saying, O Ba’al hear us. But there was no voice or any that answered”.  1 Kings 18 v 26

Elijah was able to prevail with God and the fire fell, because he was obeying the word of God. “That I have done all these things at thy word”.                                                                      1 Kings 18 v 36

Oh how much we need the fire to fall. It is regrettable, that there are so very few sacrifices, laid out on the altar of faith, for the fire to fall on.

God does not accept fleshly activity in worship. When King David and the people played on all manner of instruments before the Lord with the Ark of God this was not accepted by God for they were disobedient for the Ark was not being carried by the Levitical priest. Uzzar died when he touched the Ark.                 2 Sam 6 v 6

Our worship may be religious, it may be well-meaning, it may be sincere, but is it in the spirit? “God is a Spirit and seeks those to worship him in spirit and in truth”.                       John 4 v 24

A Great Vision

And I saw the dead great and small, stand before God; and the books were opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things that were written in the books, according to their works”. Rev 20 v 12

What an amazing vision an amazing scene. Who can say, “I saw the dead”? How alarming, how dreadful and awful. To see the dead great and small!

Truly, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation”. Heb 2  v 3

In all John’s visions and revelations of the Lord Jesus, of heaven, angels, of the new Jerusalem, the city so wonderfully described coming down from God, out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”  Rev 21 v 3

How shocking to suddenly be confronted with this vision of the dead John must have had a strong constitution, Praise God he had been caught away in the spirit, lifted up from the earth.

There to see the Christ haters, the mockers and scoffers, the legions of unbelievers, the dictators, the thieves in millions, the drunkards, the fornicators, the child abusers, the lovers of pleasure and lovers of the world, the war mongers, the God haters, all there standing before God. Dead!

God is fair. The book of life will be opened and a search made. Looking up and down, scrolling through the names. Will yours be there? Perhaps these thieves and murderers will still hold out a hope that their name may be found. But their names are not there. When the glorious rapture of the saints happened, they remained on the earth, or in the grave. A thousand years of the Millennium reign of Christ have not past and now the dead, (out of Christ) are raised.  There will be two resurrections, the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the damned.

Then another book is opened, which contains their works, all recorded, open for all to see. Every idol word will be judged as Jesus said it would be, “And they were judged out of all the things that were written in the books”. Rev 20 v 12

God is fair, righteous and just. He is holy. I believe the Lamb will be there. “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God, to be the judge of the quick and the dead”. Acts 10  v 42

Who will be there? All the unrepenting sinners, from the time of Adam will be there. All those who laughed and mocked as Noah built the Ark will be there. Those who enjoyed their life of sin and debauchery in Sodom and Gomorrah , they will be there.

Those who stood and reviled the Lord Jesus as he hung on the cross. The Scribes and the Pharisees, the false prophets and those who said, “Lord, lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name, done many wonderful works”, they will be there. Math 7 v 22

When we consider, this great vision of the dead, raised again to stand before God, does it not make us all evangelists? Should we not go and warn the people? “That it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgement”. Heb 10 v 27

Pit Props

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; and I will help thee, yes, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.                Isaiah 41 v 10

Working in a mine has always been a hazardous occupation. As well as the danger of flood, gas and fire the risk of roof collapse always exist A vital necessity for the safety of men working underground is the shoring up of the roof with pit props.

In the Second World War, many prisoners of war attempted to escape through underground tunnels. Their lives depended on such roof props. When they failed many a man was buried alive when the roof caved in.

I have observed over the years, that God will surround a new convert in Christ, with many blessing. Like those pit props, they uphold the new-born in Christ in their early days

The new convert may see miracles, signs and wonders, following the preaching of the word. The joy of fellowship with new friends and fellowship within the church. The pastor may be supportive and through the work of the Holy Spirit, the converted grow in faith and in grace.

Then after a while, I see the Lord gradually take away the supports. One by one they are removed. They were needed at first, they were indeed given to encourage and build faith. But now God seeks to test the faith to see how strong it really is? What is the quality? Will it like a new rope, take the strain? When all the props are removed, there is just the believer alone with the Lord. Will he stand?

When a baby is learning to walk, the parents position themselves, a distance apart and encourage the baby to take its first steps without aid. It is a joyful time, when not being supported, the little child moves under his own steam. The tiny legs take the strain, with a few wobbles, and a few falls the child learns gradually to let go and walk. There is rejoicing in the family for progress has been made.

This is a picture of the reality of faith. Here is the truth; this is my faith, the bottom line. Now there are no outward supports, no longer any props.

The reverse may be true. Suddenly there are insurmountable difficulties, problems are looming large. Perhaps there is isolation and, like Elijah, we may now have to stand against great opposition or watch the life sustaining water gradually dry up before our eyes.

Like Moses we may have been delivered and set free from Egypt with many miracles, only to find the way is blocked by an impassable sea. We are shut in each side with mountains and have the Egyptians, the enemy, approaching from the rear? Ex 14 v 9

Faith tested, is real faith. “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show you today”. Ex 14 v 13

Job had everything stripped away, Yet he could say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”. Job 13 v 15

Walking Wounded

Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.  2 Tim 2 v 3

Being a soldier, wearing a uniform with pride, obedient, brave soldier willing to die for the cause, the King or country. A soldier prepared to endure hardship and pain, to be wounded, possibly, to receive honours and be decorated for valour and victory.

In life we rarely see this kind of soldier today. What do we see? Walking wounded! I am shocked to see so many and question my Lord saying “Lord what is this”?  So many people seem programmed almost for depression, and seem unable ever to achieve ( or even conceive) a victory?

“Thank be to God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus” Always causeth us to triumph”. 2 Cor 2 v 14

Amazing.

But what do we see? Walking wounded. They come on their spiritual crutches, constantly needing to be propped up, needing repetitive counselling and encouraging! Like heroin addicts they need another shot. They are not interested in the cure, just another session, of, “Poor old me”. They thrive on a diet of “Smooth prophesies”. Isaiah 30 v 10

A depressive is one who sees trouble, under every silver lining! The housegroup they attend, may soon disintegrate into a confessional and a share your heart session, with counselling more important than God’s Word. Weeping together they spend much time examining their navels to find more deep and hidden hurts. “Woe is me”. An exaggeration?  Maybe!

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone.  Isaiah 6 v 5

In the heat of the battle a soldier is liable to get wounded for  the conflict is real. But a good soldier shrugs this off and is soon healed to spend time sharpening his sword and get back to the front line, ready for the next conflict.

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. Psalms 64 v 7

At the cross of Calvary , the healing balm of Jesus blood is available to those hurting souls. He is mindful of our afflictions and trials. “For we have not a High priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace , that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”. Hebrews 4 v 15/16

Are you part of the victorious army? The glorious army of Jesus Christ? Are you a good soldier willing and ready to lay down your life for the cause? Pay any price, endure any hardship for the Lord Jesus?

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

The South Wind

Nothing is more infuriating, than a man who says, “I told you so”. Paul had admonished them, “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and damage, not only of the lading of the ship, but also of our lives”. Acts 27 v 10

We too could make the same mistake as the Centurion made; “Nevertheless the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things that were spoken by Paul”.          Acts 27 v 11

Our circumstances can loom pretty good, we enjoy good health, money, and fellowship. Our lifestyle is agreeable, and the way ahead seems safe and secure. We decide we can launch out on a chosen course, disregarding the word of God.

A storm was brewing; the Centurion had no inkling of it. The south wind was blowing softly and he wanted to get on, perhaps get back to Rome before the winter set in.

Despite the clear warning from the man of God, for Paul had prayed, and the Lord had revealed to him that there was trouble ahead, yet the Centurion decided to sail.

They had opportunity to rest in a safe haven, over the winter in La’se’aq.

How many times, the Lord has bid us rest; in a safe harbour, yet we felt we must go on.      Mark 6 v 31

The terrible storm broke…”And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest”. How quickly storms can materialise, threatening to wreck our lives.

Suddenly the wind rises, the waves lash, and we are casting out the tackling of the ship. The blocks and tackle were essential for the sailing of the ship, things must have been desperate for them to throw them over the side..    Acts 27 v 18/19

Things that we think are so important, the things we treasure, the things we hold on to so tightly, when the storm comes, we have to let them go, they have to be thrown overboard!   Our lives are at risk.

Why do we make ourselves so comfortable in this present evil world? We are pilgrims and strangers, or we should be! Heb 11 v 13

What wonderful lessons there are in this story. Are we on the right course?

If you are one degree off course you will never arrive at your destination. One degree off! Are we heading straight into the eye of a storm? Is there danger ahead?

Should we be hoisting sails of our own strength? Are we trusting in some Centurion, or earthly owner who says, “It will be alright”?

Which way is the wind blowing? “Sirs, you should have hearkened unto me”.   Acts 27 v 21

Words of My Mouth

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O lord, my strength and redeemer”. Psalm 19 v 14

A young girl screamed out for help. She had been skating on a frozen pond, and had fallen into the icy waters. Her friend heard her cries and went to help her. Unfortunately her friend was unable to reach her and she died. Tragic but true.

Love cannot see a friend die and not try to reach out and save him. Love must speak. There are millions of lost souls, heading like blind men for the cliff edge, like Lemmings, heading for destruction, love must cry out, “Danger ahead”. Like a drowning man there are many cries for help in this world. Are we to be dumb dogs”?  Isaiah 56 v 10

Esther decided to speak out to save her people, the Jews. A degree had been issued which spelt the death sentence on all Jews. Esther had opportunity to speak to the King. The custom was, death to any whom approached the King without being invited, but if he was in a favourable mood and waved his golden sceptre, you might approach him and live.

If he was angry you might die. But she knew that all her people were under a death sentence, she must try to save them. What would happen if she remained silent? What should she do? Esther 4 v 11

Love must speak. She decided to risk it. “If I perish, I perish”. Esther 4 v 16

Was this fatalism or faith? “For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish”. Esther 7 v 4a

By speaking out, while all the people were fasting and praying, called to fast and praying for the nation, Esther saved her uncle Mordicai and all her people. The tables were turned. Those who had planned this evil were punished. Ha’man was hanged on his own gallows. God’s people were saved. Esther 8 v 5/7

Abraham also spoke up. “Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? Sodom and Gomorrah did not know but they had a compassionate soul praying for them. Someone had spoken out! Gen 18 v 23

“At such a time as this, Esther had come to the Kingdom”.  Is it the time to speak out?  We too, in these last days, are witnesses for Jesus. Will we be silent, or will we speak out?

“I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and praises of the Lord, according to all that he hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel , which he hath bestowed on them, according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses”. Isaiah 63 v 7

Trust

A friend’s dog bit me today. I was very surprised, as the owner of the dog had assured me that his pet would not hurt me. Fortunately the bite was not deep just grazing the skin and I was grateful that I had an up to- date Tetanus injection

I had trusted in my friend’s word and I had trusted the dog. Unfortunately, I was bitten. Well not bitten but rather nipped!

Some years ago there was a horrific incident with another dog, which attacked my grandson’s face bit deeply and would not let go. The grandson who was 18months old at that time was tossed around like a rag doll. What terrible damage was done? He needed 60 stitches in an operation with Microsurgery.

His face was torn apart, his eye and his ear were nearly damaged. Despite the valiant attempts of neighbours to intervene and rescue the child, the enraged dog would not let go.

“Thou, wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee”. Isaiah 26 v 3

Trust is a precious gift. When we have exercised faith, and have prayed through, then we have to trust.  In what do we trust? No rather, “In whom are we trusting ”?

There is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother”. Prov 18 v 24

My father was a bitter man with many problems resulting from wounds sustained in the Second World War.  In his troubles, caused by disabilities, he sought the help of a local priest. He was deeply hurt when  the expected help did not materialise. He had been desperate and felt let down, then lost all confidence in religion and the priest. He would have no more to do with either!

What damage is done when the world loses faith in a Christian!

I have often heard people say, “They are all the same, you cannot trust them”.  What a calumny!

I can testify that God is to be trusted implicitly. “But he that putteth his trust in me, shall possess the land”. Isaiah 57, v 13

God will never fail us. He never changes and will never break his Word. We may step out in faith.

We can confidently get out of the boat and walk on the stormy waters of this life, trusting in Jesus. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”.    Heb 12 v 2

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”.  Prov 17 v 17

“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe”. I  Tim 4 v 10

Treasure

Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field;  the which when a man hath found, he hideth and for  joy thereof goeth and selleth all he hath, and buyeth the field”. Math 13v 44

Some years ago, after attending a prayer meeting, I returned home to find twenty pounds in my Bible. It was in 2 Samuel. Who put it there? Of course I do not know. But I thanked God for that money, it was a small treasure to me.

King David said, “I will show kindness unto Ha’nun, the son of Na’hash, as his father showed kindness unto me”. 2 Sam 10 v 2

Today my wife opened a cake tin and found a twenty pound note. How wonderful. For many years she has baked cakes for this one and that one, and never desired or expected any payment or reward. Those who have eaten her cakes will testify how good they are. Oh taste and see, the Lord is good. Psalm 34 v 8.

Many have been appreciative of course and my wife has been blessed. Today however there was a need, and God used that returned cake tin to provide for that need.

The lovely thing about that cake tin was that it had been put away unopened.  The tin had been returned and left down stairs awaiting the next batch of cakes to be cooked, so some time had elapsed before it had been opened.  God’s blessing are like that, they are there all the time, like cake tins, just waiting to be opened. Waiting until they are discovered.

When exciting scientific discoveries are made, they are much applauded in the media. The accolades are given out, yet those facts, those scientific details were there all the time. Ever since the beginning of creation.

“And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough, which they brought forth out of Egypt , for it was not leavened: because they were thrust out of Egypt , and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves victual”. Ex 12 v 39

Unleavened cakes prepared in Egypt . Now being used on a pilgrimage journey! What a joy a parent has in storing up a beautiful surprise for a child, on a special occasion. The secret is kept hidden away until the right day.

God has prepared such hidden things for us, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, you may be also”.  Will God spare any effort, or hold back any good thing? If a son ask for bread, will the father give it a stone”?      Math 7 v 9

Cake baking is hospitality. Baking bread for the Lord! “And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, “Make ready three measures of fine meal, knead it and make cakes upon the hearth”. For one of the visiting strangers, was the Lord. Gen 18 v 6

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

The Cliff

They rose up and thrust him out of their city, and led him to the brow of a hill whereon the city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way”. Luke 4v 29/30

“If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: At Beachy Head ; in Eastbourne in East Sussex there is high cliff with a vertical drop of 500 feet to the rocks and sea below.

Many folks throw themselves off the cliff every year, desperate people whom the devil is seeking to destroy folks without faith and hope, destitute of love!  Job said, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope”. Job 7 v 6

There were many attempts to murder Jesus, King Herod, in seeking to find the baby and finding his attempts frustrated by the angel who warned Joseph to flee, decided on a policy of mass murder. The slaughter of the innocents. Math 2 v 12

“Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in the coast thereof, from two years and under, according to the time he had diligently enquired of the wise men”.  Math 2 v 16 

The devil tempted the Lord saying “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, he shall give his angels charge of thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone”. Math 4 v 6

It is strange then to hear those voices crying, “If thou be the Son of God come down from the cross”. Here again the satanic, “If”. If thou be the Son of God”?

How wonderful that Jesus should remain on the cross. He had the power to come down. Certainly he could have called ten legions of angels to help him. In fact he could have just spoken the Word

For in the garden, when that hostile crowd came to take him with staves, he had asked them, “Whom seek ye”?

They had replied, “We seek Jesus”, they fell back when he mentioned, “I am He”. John 18:v 6

The devil seeks to destroy…”He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of lies.  John 8 v 44

A Good Idea

And David said unto all the congregation of Israel , If it seem a good idea to you, and it be of our Lord God, let us send abroad unto our brethren everywhere, that are left in all the land of Israel ”.         1 Chron 13 v2

How many committees are there,  in our churches that decide a plan of action, a fund raising effort, an evangelistic outreach. They have this attitude, “Of course it will need some money, but it can be done.

We will make the effort. It will be good for God. The people will think it is a good idea, so let us get it right, lets get started”.

Now I am all for action, but only after much prayer and waiting on God, until his will, is revealed and following God’s Divine revelation”. Presumption is sin. It is man deciding, man is funding and man is central.

It must have looked a spectacular procession. All the mighty men, the nobles, the musicians, the King leading the dancing with all his might and the people singing with harps and psalteries with cymbals and with trumpets. You do not have to look very far, to see such a scene replicated today.

“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uz’za and he smote him because he put out his hand to the Ark ”. 1 Chron 13 v 10

The Ark was to be carried only by the Levites. King David knew this very well, he knew the law, and he had not obeyed the law. Now his sin was found out and David was displeased. “And David was afraid of God that day”. 1 Chron 13 v 2

“Obed Edom was blessed of God, while the Ark remained in his care, for three months”.

1 Chron 13 v 14

We must learn the same lessons. King David brought back the Ark of God, with the Levites carrying it on their shoulders as prescribed by the law. The priest and the Levites had sanctified them selves, the singers appointed by God sang, the trumpeters blew, as instructed by the law, and the Ark returned safely to Jerusalem .

”With shouting and the sound of the cornet, and with trumpets and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps”.                1 Chron 15 v 28/29

We can sing and shout, we can leap and dance, but if there is sin in the camp, God will not bless it. Sin must be confessed and forsaken, forgiven or judged? Are we obeying the Word of God? Or are we offering up a strange fire?

And Na’dab and Abihu the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, 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 1

Come let us make wine

We tend to think that alcoholism is a modern day problem. How many lives have been ruined by unrestrained indulgence? Many drink to drown their pain and sorrows; others have no self-control. My father always warned of the dangers of excessive drinking, as my Grandfather had dissipated a large estate through misuse of alcohol.

Lot ’s stay in Sodom had an evil effect on his daughters. They picked up the customs and the evil ways of that environment. They were tainted and their minds infected with the poison of that sinful city. There are many cities, where our young folks are being polluted and contaminated with wrong sinful attitudes and thoughts.

”Let us make our father drink wine” What an evil thought!

The angels came to Lot and his family and after lingering, they reluctantly left the city. Lot ’s wife could not refrain from looking back. Was there something so precious that she had left behind?  Was her heart still in that city? She turned to salt.

Lot had pleaded with the angels to be allowed to stay in Zoar. Permission was given but when Lotsaw the situation, that wickedness and sin were rampant, he was afraid to stay there.

He had witnessed God’s judgement and so got away from the danger. “With the temptation God will also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it”.1 Cor 10 v 13

Lot ’s daughters however were afraid of being childless, and with no men in sight they thought they would remain so. So they decided to take action. Why did they not pray? “Come let us make our father drink strong wine and then lie with him, so that we may preserve the seed of our father”. Gen 19 v 32

This was the ingrained corrupt thinking of those in Sodom no fear of God, no fear of the consequences of sin which was to bring forth two nations that were to trouble Israel for generations to come The Mo’ab’ites and the Am’mon’ites”. Gen 19 v 38

There was no thought to seek God, or to pray.

Han’nah, was different. “And she vowed a vow, and said, Oh Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look upon the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but will give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the Lord”.

1 Sam 1 v 11

The Lord Jesus turned the water into wine at Ca’na in Galilee . Wine was good, but like so many things the Lord has provided for us, it is subject to abuse. “Let us make our father drink wine”. ”A little wine for thy stomach’s sake” is good for it was for, “Thy oft infirmities”. But the evil of alcohol abuse continues to this day.

1 Tim 5 v 23.

Will human nature ever be free from the old Adam, the old nature, the old sinful desires?

Only through the new birth!  John 3 v 3.  Hallelujah!

The Token

In Ireland , while I was distributing Gospel tracts which spoke particularly about the blood of Christ. A woman came to remonstrate with me, for giving her, “an unpleasant tract” about “the terrible blood” I replied and explained that it was not terrible blood, but the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood and without shedding of blood there is no remission”. Heb 9 v 22

“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt” Ex 12 v 13.

That was a midnight hour of unspeakable horror.  And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt , from the firstborn of the Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.

And there was a great cry in Egypt , for there was not a house where there was not one dead”.

Exodus 12 20/30

Now imagine the scene in the Israel camp. An Israelite family, sheltering in the home. The door is firmly shut; the lamb is roasting on the fire, later to be eaten. They felt safe because of the blood that had been applied to the lintel of the door and to its side post yet they wondered what would happen outside?

Moses had warned them, after applying the blood to go inside, roast the lamb and feed upon it, for the angel of death would come. Then suddenly those awful screams of anguish and fear as one home after another found a loved one dead. Then thankfulness for being safe, for being preserved, for the blood that had protected them, thankfulness too for God’s warning message which Moses, the man of God had given. Isaiah 53 v 4/7

To those who follow Christ, the Passover Lamb speaks eloquently of  the innocent lamb  who endured Gods wrath, who hung on Calvary ’s tree to save sinners.

The innocent lamb died, the guilty sinner going free. The lamb that was our substitute, who took our place, who, paid the price for our sin

The precious blood that was shed then, not only atones for but redeems forever those who today will put their trust in Jesus Christ.

But the true lesson of the blood is that it must be applied to our hearts by faith. For the blood in the basin does no good. It must be applied to our lives.

“For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things such a silver or gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but by the precious blood of Christ, as a Lamb, without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1 v 18

Are you washed in the blood?

Salt

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt”. Leviticus 2:13.

“Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith shall be salted? It is fit for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men. Math 5v 13

The disciples of Jesus were told how he regarded them. As salt of the earth. His estimation of them, his expectations were of the highest were to reflect his own exemplary standard. We too are to be perfect. …Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Jesus Christ. Col   v 28

Then a warning note, “But if the salt has lost its saltiness? Lost its savour? Math 5 v 13

Salt brings out the flavour in our food. With Christ in us, whatever is best in us is developed and enhanced

In the time of Drake and Columbus, when those wooden sailing ships set out to discover the new worlds. Salt was a vital and essential ingredient to preserve meat, which was stowed in caskets of salt to preserve it, for a long journey. On our journey of faith we too need to be preserved.

In the time of Elisha there was something wrong with the waters “And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land”. 2 Kings 2:21

“Ye are the salt of the earth”.  Can Jesus truly say that of us?

“Let your speech be seasoned with salt”.  It must be important!

Salt has always been an indispensable antidote, for the effects of heat and climate, especially in a hot land like Israel . To those in Palestine in the time of Jesus, salt symbolised hospitality, durability and purity. To eat the salt of the King, was to owe him the utmost fidelity, and to eat the salt and bread together was to make an unbreakable league of friendship.

Salt applied to an open wound, although it is astringent, causes it to sting, yet it is cleansing and healing.

Our purpose as Christians in this dark, sin-cursed world, is to be salt and light. To preserve a testimony, to keep the corruption in check, and to hold back the putrefaction of sins.

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. James 3:12

Salt without savour? It is fit for nothing! To be trodden under the feet of men

Lord preserve our saltiness!

One Degree

If the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle”? 1 Cor 14 v 8

When I was in the Merchant Navy, I diligently learnt the points of the compass. Accuracy was both important and essential. Your life could depend on it.

The course you set could involve you in an accident, hitting some reefs or some submerged rocks? Would you cross some busy shipping lane?

Setting off from say Southampton in Southern England and heading out for New York in America , could be a disaster if you were but one degree off course. You would never arrive in New York !

The devil’s task is to distract us, to divert us, and to deflect us from following Christ in the new and living way. He wants us to be shipwrecked, to end up on the rocks and never reach a safe harbour. We need to maintain a vigilance to keep a true course to reach heaven.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils”.   1 Tim 4 v 1

Cults deny any blood sacrifice, and deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Some folks get diverted into some cul de sac of distraction, or good works while others follow false prophets and false Christ in the last days. Other just lose sight of the Lord Jesus himself. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Cor 11 v 3

“If the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound”. 1 Cor 14 v 8

A preacher has a great responsibility before God.  To sound out a true note.

If you have ever taken a wrong turn on a motorway, you will realise the high price you have to pay for your mistake. Miles and miles before you can turn back!  The frustration, and waste of fuel in going the wrong way.

Sometimes you can get totally lost and it takes a lot of effort to find the right road again. It is the same on the spiritual path

Is there an answer? “But the anointing which ye 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 is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him”. 1 John 2 v 27

Of course, we need our Pastors to teach us from God’s Word, our part is to test the spirits, and the Holy Spirit, “Will guide you into all truth”. John 16 v 13

Eye hath not seen

Secret things are revealed in God’s word. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”

Now most people stop right there, but that is not the end of the verse. “But God hath revealed them unto us, by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yes the deep things of God”. 1 Cor 2 v 10

Does the flesh, or the soul, reveal these things to us? “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can we know them, because they are spiritually discerned”. 1 Cor 2 v 14

Thank God for the truth revealed in God’s Word, revealed by his Holy Spirit. “For the Spirit searcheth all things”. It puts a new aspect on the computer technology. “The Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God”.

How deep do you want to dig? Gold is often found in the mine. Precious diamonds are found deep in the sub strata, the wealth of uranium and other precious metals are hidden deep in the earth. Thank God for the truth revealed in his Word.

We do not need a shovel, a pickaxe, or dynamite, but God’s truth is revealed to us by His Spirit. Beautiful new truths are revealed afresh, the deep things of God.1 Cor 2 v 10

There are many mysteries still yet undiscovered in the earth, and in the sea.  Deep in the Word there are undiscovered truths. They are beautiful, like diamonds. As you examine them in the light they glisten and shine, a new aspect or a hidden slant!  Are we expecting to find jewels and diamonds?

An unopened Bible is worthless. What knowledge can it impart? A man told me in Poland that he was brought up as a child in an isolated village, which was then part of Russia . It was dominated by the Orthodox Church. He happened to find a dusty old book and opened it to read.

Although it was in Russian he managed to read the Gospel and found the truth. He found the Lord Jesus and he was wonderfully saved. He received eternal life.

“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Math 4 v 4

What has God revealed to you today?

When Paul had secret revelations from the Lord he was commissioned to share these beautiful truths. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 1 Cor 9 v 16

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that Gospel which I preach”. Gal 2 v 2       Gal 2 v 2

Likewise we too should share the revealed truth, those beautiful revelations the Lord shows us. Do we?

The Plateau

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth”. Rev 3 v 16

Water finds its own level. Many Christians level out. When an aircraft reaches a certain altitude, after climbing high, it levels out. Usually a plane levels out at 33,000 feet and continues at the same altitude until it is time to descend ready for landing.

Why accept mediocrity? Is this God’s plan for you? No, no., no. “But those that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint”. Isaiah 40 v 31

As a  teenager while visiting New York City , I stood gazing up in amazement at the huge towers, those skyscrapers, with their heads in the clouds. A lift inside one of the buildings would hurtle you upward to the penthouse, or the viewing floor, with alarming speed. Would you choose a lower floor? Would you select the basement, halfway up, or will press the top floor button?

It is sad to see folks levelling out, on a plateau, self satisfied. They seem content to be saved, believing they are going to heaven, yet unwilling to rise up further, to do exploits for God!  Dan 11 v 32b

These folks have learnt much, may have achieved much in the past, taught many, travelled far but now they are happy to settle back, to rest on their laurels, to let the world pass by. After all they have achieved, a respected place in the community, the church think highly of them, and they feel that they have accomplished all that God had planned for them.

I fear very much for such folks. O how little I have done for my Master! All that I could have attained? How much I regret the things I have not done?

Have I really achieved anything? Am I content to sit back with regrets. Do I reflect anything of his glory?

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of ourselves. No, I am just clay! 2 Cor 4 v 7

“So likewise ye, when ye have done all those things, which were commanded of you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that, which was our duty to do”.  Luke 17 v 10

Lukewarm tea is unpalatable. Are we lukewarm? Lukewarm is just off the boil. A lukewarm Christian is like a fossilised bone, dry and hard. “Son of man, can these dry bones live?

“And I answered, Lord thou knowest”. Ezek 37 v 3

Corporal Punishment

A good hiding was always on the cards when I was a young  lad. My father would use his army belt to lay into my brother and I and on occasion, no doubt we were well deserving of it.

In those post war years the Victorian standard still prevailed.  A clip around the ear from the local policeman was accepted as normal and the policeman would come around to the home and talk with the parents of any offending youth, The parents would then discipline the child. It saved a lot of paperwork, police and courtroom time and to my mind was effective.

Some folks would cry out with shock horror today, ”You were abused” But I did not turn to crime or drugs or vandalism, or worse. It did me no harm and I believe much good.

Today it is unlawful to chastise a child physically and as a result we have bred a generation of hooligans. More, some of those children, who were brought up under the “Laissez faire, regime of, “Do what you like, for it builds character”, are now parents themselves and they are now bringing up another uncontrollable generation, who know nothing of discipline, self control or restraint.

Discipline is good and God- ordained. “Furthermore, we have had Father of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live”. Heb 12 v 9

God says, “Unless we are chastened we are not sons, for whom the Lord loveth he chaseneth” Now God’s chastenings are for a purpose ”For they verily for a few days, chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness”. Heb 12 v 10

Is it pleasant to be chastened? No of course not. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, nevertheless afterward, it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby”. Heb 12 v 11

Is God chastening you? Are you aware of his loving hand? Are there circumstances, which he has allowed in your life which, are both distressing and aggravating. He has allowed it because he loves you. He is moulding your character. He is working his purpose out. When these things happen, it is good humbly to examine our lives and ask the Lord, “Is there something that is wrong? Am I grieving you?  Am I resisting the Holy Spirit? Am I quenching the Holy Spirit? Am I disobedient”?

There are always lessons to be learned through a time of chastening. Let us be quick to respond to them, for I believe the lesson will be applied and reapplied by the Holy Spirit until we yield and do accept God’s will and way.

Until we bow the knee and say, “Lord thy will be done”. Let us thank God for times of chastening for one day we may look back at those times, from eternity’s viewpoint, and find they are the very reason for unbridled praise and thanksgiving. Hallelujah

Praise the Lord

“Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord”. Psalm 150 v 6

As a young salesman, my boss had a plastic toy to help salesmen who were disheartened and struggling and were without sales. It was a toy clown with a large fat body, weighted at the bottom and with a huge smile painted on its face.

This beaming smile dominated a rather small head and exaggerated the happy face. The idea was that when  you tried to knock the toy over it would always come up smiling. It was a good gimmick for those who were downhearted and worked well for many months.

One day a very depressed salesman came into the office, picked up the toy clown, threw it violently to the floor and jumped on it smashing it to pieces. The salesman felt better relieving his aggression and frustration. The clown never recovered and never smiled again.

Have you met a Christian who has been smashed up?

They have been jumped on in anger, with malice, and have lost their smile! Permanently it seems. “Now thanks be to God which always causeth us to triumph, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place”.  2 Cor 2 v 14

We are not plastic toys. God always causeth us to triumph in Christ. We have God’s promise, his word for it. We should race down the street and tell everybody, “Glory to God we have the victory.

We are more than conquerors through him that loved us and gave him for us. ”And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to his promise”. Rom 8 v 28

Are you feeling depressed? Make a date with Romans eight. “Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”  Rom 8 38/39

“Then sang Moses, and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake saying, I will sing unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously”. Ex 15 v 1

“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116 v 17

Peace offerings made under the law were required by God to be offered with a sacrifice of thanksgiving. “If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour fried. Beside the cakes, he shall offer he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings Leviticus 7:12/13

Bound

And ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound lo these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day. ”Luke 13 v 16

In a Gospel meeting, using this Scripture verse, and to illustrate a point, I tied up my wife Sheila, with a thick rope. I took some strong chains and asked an elderly resident to test them for strength before I padlocked my wife in them. She was securely bound!

My wife stood patiently, securely bound in the middle of the room, while I expounded the Gospel message, “He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed”. Jesus came to set the captives free, to break the chains. The lion of the tribe of Judah can break every fetter.

It was all going well, I had their full attention The old folks were captivated. Suddenly I realised with horror that I did not have the keys to the padlock. I have left them in my coat pocket in another room!

Abraham willingly bound his son Isaac, but Isaac was willing bound to the altar of sacrifice. And they came to the place, which God had told him of; and Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Genesis 22:9

In the Acts of the Apostles, were some men who had set out to cast out demons, but they were set upon by the demonised man and fled naked and wounded from the house. These men did not have the authority or power, they had used the name of Jesus, but it had availed them nothing.

For the evil spirit said unto the seven son of Sce’va, “Jesus I know, Paul I know, but who are you? Acts 19 v 15/16

If we are to go about, “loosing and setting free”, we must have the key. The authority. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and what you loose on the earth shall be loosed in heaven:

Whatsoever!  Math 16 v 19

We need very close fellowship with the Lord and to be in fasting prayer if we are to tackle some of these situations..

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. Judges 16:10

I did find the key. I was able to unlock the padlock and set my wife free. There was great joy among those older folks to see her free indeed. “Or how else can one enter a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil his house” Math 12 v 29

There is joy in heaven over one sinner who is set free. Liberated, delivered from the bondage of Satan. It is precious work it is God’s work, and our work too. Math 10 v 8

Can we say with Paul, “For I am ready not to be bound only, but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Acts 21 v 15

Enduring Temptation

Enduring temptation, (testing) is blessed by God, when we come through it! Enduring is important. There is nothing else we can do, nothing we can say, nothing that can be altered, we have to hang on, cling on to our faith and endure. The sooner that we realise, we are able to say, “It came to pass”. Gen 6 v 1

Why do Christians balk at enduring? When we consider what the world will endure. What folks will do to prove their valour, skill and endurance?

The marathon runner pounding the pavements mile after mile. The solo yachtsman fighting boredom in a becalmed see, and then battling with enormous waves, mountainous waves which threaten to overwhelm him. He is alone for thousands of miles, no one to encourage him or to cheer him on.

The arctic explorer who endures sub-zero temperatures, walking through blizzard conditions to reach a spot marked as the North or South Pole!

Or consider the disco dancer who sets out to break the world record, for dancing. Night after night jigging away without sleep, pushing themselves to utter exhaustion, all because they want to be in the record book.

How do we match up in the Christian sphere? Are we in the same league?  God has put before us many examples in the Word of those who endured and overcame hardships and trials.

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured”.  Heb 11 v 33/ 40

Thrilling reading isn’t it? The world was not worthy of them and these having obtained a good report through faith”.  Heb 11 v 39

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Psalms 19 v 9

Is it possible to join the ranks of these, ‘Trophies of faith’? The Lord Jesus endured the temptation (testing) in the wilderness, for forty days and nights, such was the struggle that later he had to be strengthened by ministering angels. Mark 4 v 11

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2 Cor 1 v 6

Endurance costs us all!  Paul could say, “In stripes often, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings”. 2 Cor 6 v 5

“What will we have to endure today? Will you accept it happily and endure with patience?  “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”. Psalm 30 v 5

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

 Heb 10 v 34

A Signal

Partial sight can be very dangerous.

“And he looked up and said, I see men as trees walking. Mark 8 v 24

Mirror, signal, position. I cannot remember exactly the police drivers manual, but something like that. What signals are we sending out?  Or are we just making smoke?

In the navy, a deck hand has to learn the semaphore code, the positioning of the flags to send out a signal. We know about the army signal that was sent down the line of soldiers, repeated time after time until it arrived so distorted and garbled, it did not make sense anymore! This is still possible today.

Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Clear signals are essential for safety on the road they are a prerequisite for good communications. The lack, or the absence of, clear signals has caused many a traffic accident. Injury and death often resulted.  Admiral Nelson put the telescope to his blind eye, so that he could ignore the signal to cease-fire.

Are we to ignore God’s signals? When a traffic light is at red, it means stop, if we ignore it we are in terrible danger and may cause damage. There is no confusion with God’s Word. The signals are clear and precise. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord”.Rom 6 v 23

“Love not the world, or the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, or the things that are in the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”.

1 John 2 v 15

These are clear, unequivocal signals, no confusion. They are simple and straightforward.

While in Poland , we were engaged in putting up fly posters around the town advertising some Gospel meetings. The Pastor, who could speak but a few words of English was directing me through the strange town. Prosto, ahead, prava, right and leval, left, and after a few moments while he pinned another poster on a tree, then more directions, clear cut instructions. “Ahead, stop, go, left, and go, go, go. Then later, Stop, stop, stop”. I got the message.

Jesus said first, “Come unto me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, then later, Go ye then into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature”. Mark 16 v 16

What is the signal today?  Is it red for stop or green for go?

The Signs

When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but ye cannot discern the signs of the times”. Math 16 v 2/3

While I was driving through Germany on route to Poland , I came across some road-works signs. Of course I could not understand them, and wondered what they could mean?

I drove on for several miles carefully at first then perhaps another 5 miles down the road. It was then I came across more warning signs in the road, almost blocking it when I realised I may have made an error. Some red cones were blocking my path so I slowly edged around them, when to my shock and horror there was a great yawning gulf before me.

A road bridge had collapsed and below a torrent of water surged by. I realised, had it been at night, I could have so easily plunged over the abyss, into the waters below.

I backed carefully away from the bank and thanked God for keeping me safe. What should I do? I had travelled miles out of my way, and would have to retrace my steps. A helpful motorist with a smattering of English, gesticulated and showed me on a map the route I was to take, he pointed out the town where I had taken the wrong turn.

Now I had seen those warning signs. I remember them clearly, yet I had not heeded them. I had ignored them. I had not understood the message.

What a Gospel message. Many folks read the signs but fail to receive the message. Jesus said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the coming of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory”. Math 24v 29/30

When I read my Bible, I can see plainly the signs of the times. I see apostasy in the church, the falling away, godlessness, violence everywhere, increasing in intensity, as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be, when the Son of man shall come.

All the signs are there. The cults are proliferating, children are disobedient to parents, men’s hearts are failing them for fear, talk of peace in the last days, the strange weather patterns! The one numbered system, the mark of the beast 666, famines, pestilences, wars, rumours of wars, covetousness, idol worship, the increase in activity of the occult.

Men will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. All these signs are there and are literally coming true in our lifetime with the return of Israel to the land in 1947 and now Jews returning to the land, from all parts of the world as prophesied in the Word of God.

All these signs point to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. “He that testifieth of these things sayeth, surely, I come quickly”. Rev 22 v 20

Ge’ha’zi

Went not my heart after thee”. Yes Ge’ha’zi was discovered on his return. The thought of those ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment had possessed him consumed him. His heart had burned with lust envy and desire. He had set off after the now healed leper, Na’man, with greed and lies in his heart!

What a punishment on his return. “The leprosy therefore of Na’man, shall cleave unto thee, and thy seed forever more”. 2 Kings 5 v 27

Knowing his master, the prophet in Israel had gifts of discernment, words of knowledge and vision from the Lord. This should have enabled Ge’ha’zi at least to have resisted the thoughts of desire. However his heart was deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, and his lust had brought forth sin. For the wages of sin is death

The tragedy is that, he was the one who had witnessed the mighty power of God in miracles, and healings and answers to prayer. He had served and observed Eli’sha his master for many years, and now heard his master pronounce the judgement of God on his sin. It must have struck terror into his heart.

Why was he not content with such things that he had? Why did he not realise what a privilege it was to serve the man of God? “As you do it unto the least of these my brethren you do it unto me”. Math 25 v 40

“No liar, shall enter into heaven”. Rev 22 v 15

“Tell me I pray thee, ask the king, all the great things El’li’sha has done. I wonder what Ge’ha’zi told the King. How had Ge’ha’zi inveigled his way into the King’s palace? Did he lie his way in? However he was there. Was the King’s judgement at fault?

Anyway he must have told the story of the woman whose son had died, and was raised to life again by the prophet Elisha.

Did he tell of the river Jordan parting when Elli’sha hit them with his mantle, and cried, Where Is the God of Eli’jah”? Did he tell of the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof?

The healing of the waters in Jericho , the poison in the pot, the two bears that tore the little children who had mocked him? The prophecy against Moab , when the Kings faced the enemy and the waters appeared to them as blood?

There were many other things the King would want to hear. But did Ge’ha’zi, tell the King that he was a thief and a liar, and a leper about the consequences of his sin, the awful leprosy that he was hiding beneath his gown?  2 Kings 8 v 4

“Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things that ye have, for he hath said I will never leave thee not forsake thee”. Heb 13 v 5

No thought for tomorrow

An elderly man came to my home one evening and during our conversation he told me that he had an appointment to visit the dentist on the following morning. It was he told me for a tooth extraction and on hearing this I offered to pray for him.

I was taken aback when he refused saying, Jesus said, “Take no thought for tomorrow, for the morrow shall take thought of the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”. Math 6 v 34

It was a lesson for me. Here was a babe in Christ, (he had just recently been saved), taking God’s word to heart. Was it important? Did it matter? I believe so.

“For all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness”. 2 Tim 3 v 16

Indeed the Lord is right. What turmoil and pain of heart we needlessly endure, because we insist on getting tomorrow organised. Worry over what the future may bring. An elderly sister once told me that, “Most things I worried over never actually happened”.

Another friend shared with me that she was concerned about her bank balance. She lived in an old folks home and had worked out that she could only afford to live for another four years in that home before her money ran out.  Thoughts of her bank balance and how she could manage, dominated her thinking, and made her miserable. It was like a death sentence to her. Sadly she had no concept of God’s provisions. Phil 4 v 19

Abraham thought that King Abimalech would take his wife so he lied and called her his sister! And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake. Gen 20 v 11

I believe we should live for today. We only have today. After trusting the Lord for all our provisions for over twenty years now, I have learnt to trust, and that God will provide. And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  Math 6 v 28

“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”. Psalm 37 v 25

Peter warned Simon the sorcerer, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 8 v 20

Jesus told the disciple not to think too much of what they would say when challenged.

 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mark 13 v 11

Ruth

And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, reproach her not”. Ruth 2 v 15

The kindness of Boaz reminds us of the loving kindness of the Lord. How benevolent Boaz was to command his young men, to drop the parched corn among the sheaves. “And let fall also some of the handfuls on purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not”. Ruth 2 v 16

Ruth in her poverty was able to glean. We too in our poverty of spirit, can come and glean from God’s richest blessings. We too can feed upon the parched corn, the bread from heaven, it is provided for us freely, from God’s own loving heart. His tender mercies are new every morning, and we can feed until our heart is content.

“Seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  If we ask for bread, will he give us a stone”?  Math 6 v 33

Ruth was a stranger in a foreign land, she had followed Naomi and said, “Your God shall be my God, where you go I will go”. The Lord was mindful of her. He is aware when a sparrow falls to the ground. As ye have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”. Math 25 v 40b

Ruth had shown kindness and love to her mother in law, and followed her back to Israel , the Promised Land

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave, or return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people and thy God, my God”. Ruth 1 v 16

“Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried”. What allegiance, dedication and loyalty is this a picture of our allegiance to Jesus?

Are we so dedicated to the Lord we too can say, “Where thou goest I will go”.. It is a wonderful story. Ruth and Boaz, eventually get married and the aliens, the stranger the outcast from Moab , becomes the bride, and joins in the lineage of Jesus Christ, according to the flesh. Math 1 v 5

We too ,were once aliens and strangers, who are now the people of God. We are grafted in to the root of Jessie. Romans 11 v 19.

Now like Me-phib’o’sheth of old, we can sit at the King’s table, now to feed upon the rich harvest. 2 Sam 9 v 3

Boaz had publicly to purchase his wife, to own her by paying the price for the land and heritage. He had to redeem it. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb with blemish or spot”. 1 Peter 1 v 18

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalms 84 v 10

Mountain Top

Moses was with the Lord for forty days and nights. What an experience! How little time we spend with the Lord? You are considered an eccentric today if you spend longer than an hour with Lord in prayer. It is seen as a special event if we should gather for a night of prayer or a half a night.

The Lord spoke to Moses, calling him to be ready in the morning. Note you who get up early to pray, Moses did it too! Moses rose up early and hewed two tablets of stone, before ascending mount Si’nai. Ex 34 v 2/3

“Forty days and forty nights alone with God. How wonderful. Today if someone has a moment of blessing they can rejoice. What effect would it have on your life if you were to spend forty days and nights alone with God? “He neither did eat bread or drink water”. No food?  No water? Time spent with God!   Ex 34 v 28.

“And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth”. What did Moses do? He made haste and bowed his head towards the earth and worshipped”.

No wonder his face shone with God’s Glory when he came down the mountain. He had to put a vail over his face before the people to hide the glory. Ex 34 v 35

“And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake”. Heb 12 v 21

“Again the devil taketh him up an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. And said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” Math 4 v 8/9

A high place can be dangerous! For Moses it was also a place of punishment! “And the Lord spoke to Moses the same day saying. “Get thee up unto this mountain, Ab’a,rim unto mount Ne’bo which is in the landof Moab …and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people… Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Mer’ri’bah, Ka’desh in the wilderness of Zin” . Deut 32 v 49

Have you some mountain experience with God? What did he say? Did he reveal some purpose, some plan, some work for you to do? Or was your visit to the high mountain a time of temptation, a time of testing? Did you get lost in the mist? Will you meet with God?

When you climb a mountain no matter how high, to reach the summit you have to begin with the first step. Will you take that step today?

When you descend from the mountain, will your face be shining?

And it came to pass about and eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. Luke 9 v 28