Rejected

In the parable of the vineyard owner who came for his tithe. The messengers were beaten, stoned and rejected. When the husbandman finally sent his son, thinking at least they will reverence him they killed him. Mark 12 v 11

The Lord Jesus in illustrating this parable about himself was teaching the disciple in advance of the truth that this world system hated him and hates all Christians. “And have you not read this Scripture. The stone which the builders rejected had become the head of the corner; This was the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes”. Mark 12 v 11

I don’t know if you have ever experienced a door being shut in your face. As a salesman this happened to me times without number. It hurts.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him: he was despised, and we esteemed him not”. Isaiah 53 v 3

A leper in Israel was required to call out unclean, unclean, to warn other of the danger of infection. The deep feeling of shame and rejection would permeate every moment of every day. It is marvellous in our eyes. God’s ways are certainly not the ways we would choose.

We recoil at being the offscouring of all things. Yet this is our calling. “We are fools for Christ sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak but ye are strong, ye are honourable but we are despised. Being defamed we intreat, we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this present day”.

1 Cor 4 v 10 /13.

When Goliath saw David the young shepherd boy, “And when the Philistine looked about and saw David he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance”. 1 Sam 17 v 42

Michael similarly despised David as he danced before the Lord as the ark returned to Jerusalem.

2 Sam 6 v 16

We too are to be rejected by the world. If they hate me they will hate you. “Ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved”. Math 10 v 22

Jesus was the stone, that was rejected. cut out of the mountain without hands. The stone breaks in pieces the iron, the brass , the clay and silver and gold.

The Kingdom that Jesus will build will last forever. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth together unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit”.Ephes 2 v 20/22

The Tide Must Turn

The tide at Norman’s bay is a low level tide. A low tide the sands are uncovered and you can walk for miles without any water. When the tide returns the water is shallow for a half mile out to sea, it may take a long time but eventually, inevitably the tide must turn.

The circumstances of our lives can be like the tide. Sometimes it is a long way out. We have freedom to move along life’s beech. We can stroll without hindrance. I have had many happy, blessed hours walking up and down praying singing and resting in the Lords presence.

There are other times in life, when the tide of difficulties has come in. There is no danger to life and limb but life seem to be a drag. There is a resistance to every spiritual step we take. Life can become sluggish and tedious. In these times we can wait upon the Lord for the tide to turn.

Waiting patiently is an attitude of mind. The Lords coming is soon yet it can seem as if it will never happen. “Be patient therefor 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 early and the latter rain”. 1 Peter 5 v 7

Praying through. Prayer can sometimes tax our patience. Yet the tide will turn. It must. “Take my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Behold we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is pitiful and of tender mercy. James 5 v 10/11

God has heard your prayer, the tide will turn. The Lord will work it out in his own way in his own time. Our ways are not his ways. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord. Isaiah 55 v 8

How sad when a cross Channel swimmer gives up a mile from the shore. After swimming the twenty-one miles but not making the shore. Giving up on prayer without obtaining the request is tragic.

It is dangerous to leave of antibiotics before completing the course. Persevering prayer is essential in these days of instant everything.

While in Northern Ireland in a retreat centre in Newcastle we were in meeting in a Christian Centre just opposite the beech. There was a sea wall but the tide came in and out unceasingly. You could put up a thousand pumps and still not contain the water coming in.

God’s immutability is like that. The incoming tide of his love is unstoppable…

Anything Too Hard for the Lord

A baby is an amazing creation. Every part perfectly fitted together. Even being formed in the womb as an embryo, the features, the formation of hand’s, arms, and legs, all takes place in miniature. Normally this all is happens in a young healthy mother.

The miracle of Isaac’s birth was another of those miracles of creation. “Sarah thy wife shall have as son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door.” Gen 18 v 10

I perceive that Sarah was listening, trying to hear the conversation of these strangers who had suddenly turned up and visited her husband. . The promise that she should bear a son was the impossible situation. Did they not know she was an old woman and past child bearing age? “And the Lord said why did Sarah laugh, saying, ” Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old”. The incident was soon over and her husband Abraham went off with the men to view Sodom and Gomorrah”.

Gen 18 v 13

Is anything too hard for the Lord? How these words would ring in Sarah’s heart. We too must ask ourselves this question. “Is anything to hard for the Lord”. Impossible situations can be transformed; the prayer of Faith can remove huge mountains of difficulty. God promised Abraham a son. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”.

Rom 4 v 19/20

We too have a promise from God an amazing promise. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask of think, according to the power that worketh in us”. Ephes 3 v 20

Our concept of an all powerful all mighty all-seeing, all knowing God can be whittled away by our pigmy thoughts. Our imagination and vision of a creator God can be a serious stumbling block to faith. The staggering promise of the Lord Jesus ask anything in my name for some of us is hard to swallow, so we limit God in our faith and actions.

The walls of Jericho fell down. Sodom and Gomorrah were obliterated. Noah and his family were wonderfully preserved in the Ark. David was safe when threatened by Saul. Shadrack, Meshech, and Abednigo were all safe in the fiery furnace. Was anything to hard for the Lord Jesus in his earthly ministry? The lepers were cleansed, the demons were cast out, the lame walked, the blind received sight, the dead were raised to life, the crucified thief was saved.

Dear friend what is you insurmountable problem. “But when the disciples heard it they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Math 19 v 25/26

Let us look up to Jesus the creator of all things. Col 1 v 16

Neglected

“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery”.

1 Tim 4 v 14

Neglect is a crime. Many a husband has rued the day that he neglected his wife for the pub or the sports field. A marriage has ended in divorce with broken hearts and damaged children. All through neglect. I am reminded sometimes by my wife that I have neglected this or that.

A friend of my showed me a painting. It was beautiful. Amazingly she had this talent and only discovered it, or re-discovered it in later years. Years of neglect. Talent lies dormant, un-discovered, and un-used. Recent discoveries of Science, the technological break through in so many fields has revealed our ignorance. Of course the DNA, the infra-red rays, the ultra sound was there all along.

They were prophesied long, long ago. We read in Daniel about the end time. “But thou oh Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”.

Dan 12 v 4b

On entering a new country your eyes are open to new sounds and a different culture. When I first visited Poland in 1991 I was shocked at the dereliction and neglect of some buildings. How sad when you enter a church or meet a Christian and can see signs of neglect of Gods Word or a mediocre faith. I believe, what we neglect to use, we lose. The sword that is not sharpened is useless. Faith is sharpened in the fight and in the fire. Conflict and persecution bring forth diamonds

A wound neglected, with bandages and antiseptic cream not applied can turn nasty. Sometime the spiritual wounds we suffer as a Christian are left neglected, only to fester and turn into a dangerous life threatening disease. Paul said, I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus”. Gal 6 v 17

“Always bearing about in the body, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body”.

2 Cor 4 v 10

Recently in our town, the old cinema, which has lain neglected for years, has been restored. The roof had caved in and it was a scene of decay and destruction. The manager told me that a million pounds was raised to renovate the building and every thing had been reproduced in the original style and detail. What a joy to see it restored to its former glory. Yet this is what God loves to do. . He takes a life that is ravaged and ruined by sin and restores it. “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of host: and in this place I will give peace”. Haggai 2 v 9

We must ask ourselves what have I neglected? Are their ruins in my life? Is prayer neglected. Is fellowship neglected? Do I need restoration? “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation”? Heb 2 v 3

Defeat

Death was to be the last defeat for Saul, Abimelech, and Sis’se’ra , all shared in an ignominious death. Are our lives to end in failure?

“Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gil’boah. And the Philistines followed hard after upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan and A-bin a dab, and Mel’chi’she’a Saul’s sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul, unto his armour bearer, Draw thy sword and thrust me through therewith., lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armour bearer would not, for he was sore afraid, Therefore Saul took a sword and fell upon it”. 1 Sam 31 v 1-4

The defeat of Abimalek “And a certain woman cast a millstone upon A-bim’a’lech’s head and all to break his skull. The he called hastily unto the young man his armour bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me that the men say not of me, A woman slew him. And the young man thrust him through and he died” Judges 9 v 53/54

The ignominious death of Sis’e’ra. Then Jael Hebers wife took a nail of the tent, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground, for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

Judges 4 v 21/22″

And he said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he woke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetter of brass, and he did grind in the prison house” . Judges 16 v 20/21

For Samson he at least went out with some victory. “And Samson called unto the Lord and said, Oh Lord God, remember me I pray thee, and strengthen me I pray thee only this once O God that I might be avenged of my two eyes. said,… Let me die with the Philistines”.. God gave him his wish and he died with three thousand of the enemy. “So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life” Judges 16 v 28/31

Satan was defeated at Calvary. To his followers and disciples of Jesus it was a defeat. The Saviour of the world had been crucified. His body buried in a cave and the religious leaders were triumphant. Yet through death the Lord Jesus won the Victory over sin Satan, death and hell

For no man took his life from him, he laid it down. ” No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and power to take it up again. This commandment I have received of my Father”. John 10 v 18/19.

Three Signs

The first sign was the rod that turned into a snake. Moses was afraid to take up his God given task. He was full of fears and foreboding to such an extent that God was annoyed with him. But God gave Moses a sign, which would convince the doubters in Israel who wanted some proof of Gods commission to lead the nation and also the magicians in Egypt. God knew they could bring forth snakes out of rods

What is that in thine hand? And he said a rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent Ex 4 V 3

Put now thine hand into thy bosom . And he put his hand into his bosom and when took it out behold his hand was leprous as snow .

Ex 4 v 6

The third sign was of water into blood. “Thou shalt take of the waster of the river, and pour it on the dry land,; and the water that thou takest from the river shall become blood on dry land” Ex 4 v 9

This time God assure Moses that if they will not believe the first two signs they will believe the third. Yet strangely Moses still seemed to be unconvinced.

When God led them out of Egypt across the Red Sea and through the wilderness. He constantly showed Israel signs and wonders. “He brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. Acts 7 v 36

God promised to the Apostles that he would show signs and wonders in the last days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs in the earth beneath, blood , fire, vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come. Acts 2 v 19/20

The Lord Jesus warned the disciple that there would be signs and wonders done in the last days. “And there shall be signs in the sun,, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring”. Luke 21 v 25

Signs and wonders can be dangerous things. The Bible warns us in the last days there will be a danger of delusion and deception, through signs from Satan. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only …And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. Satan’s lie, Even him, who’s coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders. 2 Thess 2 v 7/11

“But the Lord Jesus in his earthly ministry did many signs And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20 v 30/31

Hard Hearts

It is almost common now, for older men to have a heat valve transplant. Hardening. Today medical science has made great stride forward and replacement valves, angioplas treatment are a common occurrence of the arteries can lead to an early death. A friend of mine has had a 5 valve heart replacement and continues to preach and minister in a wonderful way.

God hates hearts that have become hard. Zechariah the prophet rebuked the people whose were continuing the tradition of fasting in captivity but whose hearts were of stone. “Thus speaketh the Lord of host saying, Execute true judgement and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother. And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger nor the poor, and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in his heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea they made their hearts as adamant stone. Zech 7 v 9/12

Fancy a heart like a stone. No wonder God was angry with them …Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of host. Therefore it came to pass, that as he cried, so they would not hear, so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of host. V 13

How far away from God these people were? “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with their whole heart.

Psalm 119 v 2

“Afterwards he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat. and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” Mark 16 v 14

It is a jolting thought that disciples of Jesus could also have a heard heart. That Jesus the Lord would have to rebuke us. That God would have to perform surgery, heart surgery on his own people. He did it for his beloved Israel. Should he do it for his blood bought? Do I need the surgeon’s knife? God is looking into our heart right now. What does he see?

God’s promise to Israel was, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and I will give them a heart of flesh. Ezek 11 v 19/20

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith without wavering, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10 v 22

May Gods Word pierce our hearts today “For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4 v 12

“Today if you hear my voice, Harden not your hearts…”Heb 3 15

Wisdom

Behold I send you forth as sheep ion the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”. Math 10 v 16

God wants us to be wise. In this sinful age, a world full of ignorance and darkness we must be wise.. It was the wise men from the east that sought Jesus. Math 2 v 1

Paul prayed for the Colossians Christians, “for this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and work, increasing in the knowledge of God”. Col 1 v 9

“Now God had brought Daniel into the favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.. They were chosen to be without blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom , and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science… Dan 1 v 4/ 9

God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams”. Dan 1 v 17

Toda there is a vast increase in knowledge. Dan 12 v 4

Computer technology and the microchip have opened Pandora’s box to accessible of information. Now it seems there are no secrets that are not available on the net. Men are making millions as they expand the technology to entertain the nations. But God says, “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding, rather to be chosen, than silver”. Prov 16 v 16

Solomon used his wisdom to rule the nation. Daniel was promoted to power by using his wisdom. Joseph likewise in Egypt was raised up to power by using Gods gift wisely. We too are required seek wisdom with all our hearts. “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding.

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgement, and equity. A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise councils. Prov 1 v 2/5

God wants us to be wise in all our ways, to use the gifts that God has given us. Wise men preach Gods Word. Men’s words are foolishness. “For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the Gospel: not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness,; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise”. 1 Cor 1 v 20

Jesus Christ is, “The power of God the Wisdom of God”.1 Cor v 24

Jonathan

The Philistines had invaded the land again they were camped at Mich’mash Israel were short of weapons. “So it came to pass in the day of battle, that neither sword spear found in the hand of any of the people. What a perilous state of things. Men afraid and without weapons Sadly many Christians have the same attitude of mind. “We can do nothing we have no might against this people”.

1 Sam 13 v 22

Yet God has given us weapons that are mighty. “For the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of Strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts its name against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ”.2 Cor 10 v 4

Jon’a’than had resolve. He was no defeatist. Something should be done about these invaders. They must be resisted and cast out. “He called to his armour bearer, Come, let us go over to the Philistines garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father”. My guess is that Joh’a’than knew that his father would refuse him permission to go.

“But when it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace. To reveal his son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Gal 1 v 15/16

Jon’a’than’ had faith to go. He had received no heavenly vision, no angel of God to prompt him. But he was a soldier. He had weapons and an armour bearer at his side. He also had faith. What do we need? We too have the whole armour of God, we have the sword of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit indwells us, and we should have faith to believe that the Captain of our Salvation is by our side.

More, the indwelling Christ. “Christ in me the hope of Glory”. Ephes 6 v 11/Gal 2 v 20.

The enemy fills the land are we to yield or resist.

Jon’a’than did have something. When he stepped out in faith and went forth to spy out the land God gave him a confirmation. God has not changed. He will do they same for you. If you will step out of the boat onto the stormy water. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4 v 7

In the heat of the battle, Jon’a’than received much needed nourishment. The Lord had provided honey to enlighten his eyes and to strengthen him… For this he was cursed by Saul v 28.

Yet God vindicated Jon’a’than before the people. God too, provides us with nourishment as we progress along life way. It is His refreshing word.

He giveth power to the faint; and to those who have no might he increaseth strength”.

Isaiah 40 v 29

More on Fear

And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid”.

Mark 16 v 8

The disciples who had witnessed the miracle power of God were afraid. They had been in an empty tomb but where was the body? They fled in blind panic. Compare these disciple with the midwives in Egypt when they were ordered by Pharaoh to kill the baby boys, “And the king of Egypt spoke unto the Hebrew midwives…And he said when to do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him, but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God.

Ex 1 v 16.

Here is a healthy fear, a wholesome fear. Rather than fearing Pharaoh and his earthly power the midwives were wise to fear God. God also rewarded them. “And it came to pass because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. Ex 1 v 21

God uses fear to bring glory to his name. When the Lord had compassion on the widow in Na’in and touched the bier where her dead son lay, fear came upon all the people. A godly fear.

“And he came and touched the bier: and they that bear him stood still. And he said Young man, I say unto the , Arise. and he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him unto his mother. And there came a great fear on all: and they glorified God”. A great fear on all! Luke 7 v 12/16

Can fear come upon all? A town or city? A community? A nation? “Da’mas’cus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her as a woman in travail. Jer 49 v 24

When Jesus came to the area of Gad’a’renes the people when they had heard what he done, were afraid of him . Luke 8 v 35

Often fear can totally paralyse Christians. God allows circumstances to surround us, so that our faith may be tested. King David’s life was threatened but he had no fear he trusted in God “For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O Lord. I said, Thou art my God”. Psalm 31-v 13/14

Jesus was perfect love on the cross at Calvary he was despised and rejected of men. When surrounded and violated by wicked men, there is no hint of fear.

He knew in graphic detail the sufferings he was to endure on the cross yet he knew no fear. For fear is from the devil. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear has torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. “1 John 4 v 18 Psalm 22 v 10/ 18

Agabus

And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid”.Mark 16 v 8

The disciples who had witnessed the miracle power of God were afraid. They had been in an empty tomb. Where was the body? They fled in blind panic.

Compare these disciple with the midwives in Egypt when they were ordered by Pharaoh to kill the baby boys, “And the king of Egypt spoke unto the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of one was Ship’rah and the name of the other was Pu’rh. And he said when to do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him, but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God

Ex 1 v 16.

Here is a healthy fear, a wholesome fear. Rather than fearing Pharaoh and his earthly power the midwives were wise to fear God. God also rewarded them. “And it came to pass because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. Ex 1 v 21

God uses fear to bring glory to his name. When the Lord had compassion on the widow in Na’in and touched the bier where her dead son lay, fear came upon all the people. A godly fear. “And he came and touched the bier: and they that bear him stood still. And he said Young man, I say unto the , Arise. and he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him unto his mother. And there came a great fear on all: and they glorified God”. A great fear on all!Luke 7 v 12/16

Can fear come upon all? A town or city? A community? A nation? “Da’mas’cus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her as a woman in travail. Jer 49 v 24

When Jesus came to the area of Gad’a’renes the people when they had heard what he done, were afraid of him “Then they went out to see what was done’ and they came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and in his right mind: and they were afraid”. Often fear can totally paralyse Christians..God allows circumstances to surround us, so that our faith may be tested.

King David’s life was threatened.. “For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God”.

Psalm 31 v 13/14

When the Lord Jesus was surrounded and violated, by violent and wicked men, there is no hint of fear He knew in graphic detail the sufferings he was to endure on the cross yet he knew no fear. For fear is from the devil. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear has torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love1 John 4 v 18 Jesus was perfect love. On the cross at Calvary he was despised and rejected of men. The Psalmist writes prophetically of Jesus on the cross “Be not far from me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bull of Ba’shan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths as a ravening and a roaring lion I am poured out like water, and all of my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax, it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me unto the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones, they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture”. Psalm 22 v 10/ 18.

Predistined

One of the most staggering facts concerning our salvation is that God had it all planned before time began.

An expression that is not often heard these days is, in the eternal purposes of God. That is before time, before the world was created, before the Lord positioned the stars in space, that we Christians were selected as a special people to show forth , Gods praise.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1 v 4/6

When we are first saved we believe that we have come to God, we have accepted Jesus, we have sought and found, in short we believe that we have done it. It was our will our response. Yet as much as these things are true to an extent, in fact the opposite is true.

The Great Shepherd of the sheep sought us out. God had us marked, selected and chosen before this planet was in existence. Not only that we would be saved, born again, and kept by the power of God, but also he had selected and planned our life, our work and ministries. God had a planned purpose for each and every one of us. Ephes 2 v 18”

“For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh are called: But God has chosen the foolish thing s of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty. And the base things of the world, and the things which are despised, hath God chosen yea the things that are not, to bring to nought things that are. That no flesh should glory in his presence”. 1 Cor 1 v26/29

“God raised up Pharaoh for his own purpose. For the Scriptures saith unto Pharaoh, Even this same purpose have I raised thee up,, that I might show my power, in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout the world for this purpose Rom 9 v 17

Joseph’s brothers had to learn the Joseph had been specially chosen by God even in their plan to destroy him Gods hand was at work. “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God”.

Gen 45 v 7 v 8

Know ye not that to whom do you yield yourselves servants to obey; his servants ye are.

Romans 6 v 16

Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel.

Romans 1 v 1

For Prisoners

Then visiting prison to preach the Gospel I an always aware that I can walk out. The guard is ready to unlock the gates at my request. A real prisoner is trapped without any possibility of escape he has to endure.

Millions outside the gates of prison, are bound by Satan, they are in chains. Going to be judged, to be found guilty and sentenced to an everlasting eternal punishment

Rev 21 v 8

This is not Gods will, for he sent Jesus to set the captives free. To loose their chains, to break the bonds that bind them. “For he whom the Son sets free, is free indeed”… John 8 v 36

What does every prisoner want to hear? A messenger to tell him that he is pardoned. He can go free. Someone else has paid the price.

You have heard of the American girl brought before the courts for speeding, The judge found her guilty and sentenced her, He then stepped from the bench and paid the fine and released his own daughter…

The prodigal son comes to his right mind he was in a prison of his own making. Sometimes our own selfish attitudes and stubborn ways just put us into a prison. How the devil would love to deceive us into thinking we can be free, when we yield to our own desires and lust”. But really it is the road that leads to destruction and we become slaves to our own corruption.

Luke 15 v 15

When God sent an Angel to unlock the gates for Peter his chains fell off. Acts 12 v 5

Would to God the chains that bind us to sin would be broken! Who has the keys? “I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of death and hell”. Rev 1 v 18

Jesus said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Will you make friends with the key holder?

When you become a Christian you become a son and heir. Joint heirs with Christ .You are free from Satan’s shackles.

Luke 23 v 39”

When a prisoner has served his sentence and fully paid the price for his crime he is released and walks free. Sadly he still retains something for a record of his crime will always remain to haunt him When a sinner comes to Jesus, he is not only cleansed from his sin, not only does he walk free, but the record is made clean. You have a clean slate…

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water Heb 10 v22

The Wilderness

Did angels gaze down in the wilderness where a lonely man struggled with all the powers of darkness it was a conflict that was to last for forty days!

Forty indescribable days ….

Firstly the Lord was tempted with hunger. “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God command this stone that it be made bread”. The Lord Jesus was hungry he had the power, amazing power that could have easily turned that stone into bread, as he later did in the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Yet this was not the time or the place. The devil was tempting him to use his divine power to yield to the flesh. Luke 4 v 4

We too are tempted in this wilderness of sin to yield to the flesh, its desires and lust, its pride and profanity. Then the devil took Jesus high up mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, “All this power will I give thee. And the glory of them, if thou wilt worship me… Jesus answered with a rebuke. “Get thee behind me Satan, for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”.

The preoccupation of the world today is to achieve power and acclaim. Idols and false gods surround us and the glory of these kingdoms occupies men’s hearts as never before. Vast empires of wealth are being created, and the national lotteries make millionaires overnight millennium night. Proof that Satan is still tempting millions with his lies. Luke 4 v 8

The third temptation, The devil brought Jesus to Jerusalem, and set him on a high pinnacle. “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down. Misuse of power, spiritual gifts is a common malady today. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you, is to be our watchword. Luke 4 v 12

Three temptations, we all know them, yet the danger is we can become blasé about them. Let us learn the lessons of this wilderness experience. The Lord was full of the Holy Ghost, when he was led of the Spirit into the wilderness. He was not backsliding, not disobedient. In fact the Lord God had just spoken from heaven saying, “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. Mark 1 v 11

But this was a victory that had consequences for the witness and life of Jesus in the next three years. When he returned he was full of power. I would and most of us would have been in a state of near collapse on returning from a forty day fast.

Our faces would show the signs of our self-inflicted abstinence. We would of course publish a book about our experience and make a big thing of it. But what happened to Jesus? “And Jesus returned in the Power of the Spirit in Galilee. Luke 4 v 14

An Open Door

I looked and a door was opened in heaven”

Rev 4 v 1

A new home is always a joy. When we receive the keys and unlock the front door for the first time. Not knowing what lies ahead, the excitement of arranging the furniture, planning the home improvements, that must be done, to make this strange new home our own.

“I am the door: by me any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture”. John 10 v 9

How many doors we pass through in life? Our first entrance, through the door of the birth canal, is our introduction to this world. Everything is new. It takes years for us to find our way around and when we begin to feel comfortable it is time almost to leave. Some folks leave unexpectedly, thrust through the door of death without any preparation at all. “It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgement. Heb 9 v 27

Our doors today are usually heavily fortified. Chains and locks, security lights and infra- rd sensitive devises with CCTV reveal who is standing at the door. Is it friend or foe?

Closed door can mean prison or hospital Security is now tight on both institutions. The prison officers would scrutinise you face and check your person for camera’s drugs and guns. Your progress through the jail would be through a series of locked gates. It was always a relief to be let out. When you need money a bank door closing in your face can be a pain. Bank holidays used to mean that all the banks and shops were shut everything was locked up and barred no business was transacted

When Cain brought his offering to the Lord it was rejected. Cain was very angry, but God said. Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted, and if thou doest not well, sin liest at the door. Gen 4 v 6/7

Doors open. When the Lord opens a door no man can shut it. Today there are many opportunities for the Gospel to be preached. However gradually as we change over to shopping malls, and Arndale centres the freedom to preach is being hindered. The door is slowly being shut.

One of my daily prayers is that God would close every door that should be closed and just open, or leave open the door of his perfect will. “Behold I set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name”. Rev 3 v 8.

Today is the day of Salvation. Today is still the day of Grace, Today you may enter in. For those foolish virgins, who had lamps of profession, they left it too late. The door was shut. It would not open despite their calling out, “Lord, Lord”. Today let us enter in while the door is open.. Math 25 v 10

Behold I stand at the door and knock. Rev 3 v 17

Courage

In many parts of the world Christians are coming under attack. Many have been murdered by fanatics. Nothing has changed since the time of Jesus the fanatics still shout out to crucify him. He went around doing good, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, casting out demons, raising the dead. Yet the religious leaders hated him and wanted him put to death. Are we the disciples of Jesus, to walk away from the conflict? To flee? Are we to be cowards or to have courage?

When Sanballat tried to inveigle Nehemiah to refrain from setting up gates on the nearly completely rebuilt walls of Jerusalem, his insidious attempts failed. Nehemiah asked this question “Should such a man as I, flee? And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go in”. Sanballat like most cowards tried to use fear as a weapon against Nehemiah. Neh 6 v 11 v 1

When Moses sent out the spies to search the Promised Land he exhorted them to, “Be of good courage. Num 13 V 20

When the spirit of God had come upon Az’a’ri’ah the son of Oded, he had exhorted king A’sa with these words, “The Lord is with you, while ye be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you: but if ye forsake him he will forsake you”. The Land was given over to idolatry, there were wars on every side between nations and between cities. There was no peace to him that went out or came in, in fact a great vexation was upon the land, Asa was encouraged when he heard theses words. “Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet he took courage. And put away the abominations out of the land of Judah”. 2 Chron 15 v 1 /8

When David the young shepherd lad faced Goliath, did he have courage? When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den did he exercise courage? When Moses had died and Joshua was anointed to be there leader, the Lord spoke to him, charging him to, “Only be thou strong and very courageous”…

Joshua 1 v 7

Entering a new situation often takes courage. When Paul was nearing Rome after a journey, which included a shipwreck, the brethren encouraged him…..when Paul saw it, he thanked God and took courage”. Acts 28 v 15

We must encourage one another. “They helped everyone his neighbour, and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage”

Isaiah 41 v 6

When the Lord Jesus faced the cross, did it take courage? When he contemplated becoming sin, the sin of the world was to be upon him, did it take courage. The Lord Jesus loved sinners so much, loved me so much, that it did not take courage? It was love that held him on the tree! Psalm 40 v 8

The Branch

As a young lad I would go across the road to a field where some trees grew. Often there would be a rope dangling from a high branch and boys would swing backwards and forth. A thick branch would be selected, from which a heavy-duty rope would be slung, if this was not carefully selected, an inevitable crash would result and broken bones ensued!”

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Job 14 v 7

The Bible equates righteousness in an unusual form. As a branch “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a branch..

Proverbs 11 v 28

Jesus Christ our Lord was righteousness’ personified, as prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah. “Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise up unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgement and justice in all the earth”. Jer 23 v 5

“Hear now o Joshua the high priest thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee, for they are men wondered at: for behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.

Zech 3 v 8….

The High priest of Israel was informed through prophecy that Jesus was that Branch, who would rule and reign as a priest. “Even he shall build the Temple of the Lord , and he shall bear the glory, and he shall sit and rule upon his throne, and he shall be a priest upon his throne”. Zechariah 6 v 12

Jesus is prophesied both as a root and as a tender plant .by the prophet in Isaiah.” And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for en ensign for the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 11 v 10

“For he shall grow up as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form or comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him”. Isaiah 53 v 2

It is significant that the Lord used tree in his many parables. The mustard seed, the tree that Zac’cha’e’us climbed up, the fig tree representing Israel, that he cursed and all the trees i.e. all the nations struggling to put on their identity (leaves) in the last days; and as the Lord Jesus entered into Jerusalem the people casting down of the branches before his entourage crying Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord”..

Mark 11 v 8 /John 12 v 13

Jesus spoke of his disciples as branches. “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

Shall we branches, cast ourselves before the Lord as he comes to rule and reign? John 15 v 6

Wells of Blessing

A tired nation, struggling across uneven terrain, across the desert after leaving Egypt. They had witnessed the fury of Pharaoh as he chased them and tried to destroy them, but had seen God destroy him. Miriam had danced in celebration and they had pressed on. Day after day they began to realise that a tough journey had begun. A nation on the move. For three days in the wilderness of Shur they found no water.

They had rested at Marah and tasted the bitter waters. The people had murmured, but God had made the waters sweet by the casting in of a tree and it was there that he made a covenant with them..”If thou wilt diligently hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments,, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee , which I put upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord that healeth thee”.

Ex 15 v 221/26

After a time of testing God a often leads us to an Elim. “And they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm tree and they encamped there by the waters”.Ex 15 v 27

A place to camp. A time to rest, a season of blessing. Our lines have fallen in pleasant places. God is good. He is mindful of our needs. He knows how much stress we can physically take. He allows us a time of rest, time to recuperate and prepare ourselves for the next step. If you can visualise a wilderness, with the hot sun beating down, lack of water. Limbs tired children fractious and irritable nerves fraying, animals , husbands difficult. Then in the distance the sight of palm tree’s waving in the breeze. The animals smell the water their noses twitch, children run ahead, water, shade, rest.

The Lord was going before them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night leading his people to a place of blessing. A picture surely of our pilgrimage, our walk with the Lord, having no certain resting place, seeking a city whose maker and builder is God. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, you may be also. And wither I go you know, and the way ye know John 14 v 2/4″.

Here at Elim there were twelve wells. Isn’t it extraordinary. Twelve places where you could drink. Twelve places of refreshment, twelve disciples, twelve apostles

What a contrast with the ungodly who are reserved for judgement! “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever”.

2 Peter 2 v 9/1

And seventy trees truly an oasis of shelter and shade. “Therefore with joy, ye shall draw water out of the wells of Salvation”. Isaiah 12 v 3

Bread of Life

Having been brought up in war-torn Britain, in a time of rationing, it was a common place thing to have a neighbour knock at the door and request a loaf of Bread. Unlike the parable, we could not say I am in bed and my children are with me. The clear lesson of this parable being that the persistent knocking of the needy one brought an immediate response. Luke 11 v 5/ 8

El’i’phas accused Job of being stony hearted. “For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought and stripped the naked of their clothing. Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholder bread from the hungry. Job 22 v 6/8

When Elisha passed by to Shu’nem, he was constrained to come into the house of a great woman. And she constrained him to come in and eat bread. And so it was that as he oft passed by he turned in hither to eat bread. 2 Kings 4 v 8

A passing moment, the eating of bread led to the building of a little chamber and then later to the miracle of the raising of the dead. The woman’s son. She showed kindness to a servant of God and was amply rewarded later. Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days Eccl 11 V 1

The Lord spoke to David in the psalms regarding Israel if they would keep his covenant and his testimony. “I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. Psalm 132 v 15

God pleads with Israel his chosen people to seek him as the bread of Life. “Why do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And you’re labour for that which satisfies not”. We as Christians seem foolish to be easily satisfied with this world food. The devils diet is misery, conflict, and sorrow, mixed together with sin, suffering and pain

When Adam and Eve sinned in Paradise, the Lord spoke of the curse. “And unto Adam, he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not east of it, cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow shall thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat of the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground”. Gen 3 v 17/19

The disciples of Jesus were accused of breaking the Sabbath day, when they plucked off ears of corn as they passed by. The Pharisees questioned him about it. But Jesus replied that David had eaten the showbread, which it was not lawful to do.

Those twelve loaves of bread set forth before the Lord in the tabernacle, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Yet Jesus exonerated David, saying, That the Son of man is Lord even also of the Sabbath Day. Math 12 v 3/8

God’s Glory

God is jealous of his Glory. “I am the Lord, that is my name: and my Glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” Isaiah 42 v 8

How little we experience of the Glory of the Lord.. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation, of the gospel is committed unto me. 1 Cor 9 v 16/17

Everywhere in the Psalms the glory of the Lord is the theme. He proclaims, The heavens declare the Glory of God and continues Let the whole earth be filled with his Glory. Psalm72 v19.

How can you describe in words the Glory of God? Moses cried out to God,” I beseech thee show me thy Glory”

Ex 33 v 18

I have to search my heart and say, “Lord is this my hearts cry? Show me thy glory? More amazing is to think that God has selected us to be vessels of his glory! “What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.: And that he might make know the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory”. Romans 9 v 22/23

Paul could make this amazing statement, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world”. Gal 6 v 14

God’s Glory is a hard thing to quantify. Paul in speaking on suffering speaks of the glory in this way. “”That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it might be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 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 12 v 1”

We will see the Glory of God. “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great Glory.

Math 24 v 30

When King Solomon made an end to his public prayer at the dedication of the Temple a wonderful thing happened. The house of God was filled with His Glory. Let us ask God that our earthen tabernacles will be filled with his Glory.

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”.

Psalm 29 v 1/32 1 Kings 8 v 10

Understanding

Then the psalmist is struggling to understand the prosperity of the evil and wicked, when he comes into the Sanctuary of God, knowledge and understanding come to him. “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood their end. Psalm 73 v 16/17

In another place the answer is given. “Evil men understand not judgement: but they that seek the Lord understand all things”.

Psalm 28 v 5

Wisdom to understand, is a marvellous gift from God. To understand the mysteries of the combustion engine or the mysteries of the Computer is one thing whereas to understand the mysteries of life is another thing.

A mystery, which has been hidden since time began is “Christ in you the hope of glory. It takes some understanding to see the purposes of God being worked out in these last days. Oh to have the wisdom understanding to know the mystery of suffering.

I often spend time in taking apart some item when it has been broken. I must confess I do not have not the skill or understanding to put it together again but II must try, to find out how it works. Or at least why it does not work.

`King Neb’u’chad’nez’zar. Was thrust from his kingdom and became like an animal for seven seasons. Till he knew and understood that God reigns and rules in this earthly planet. Yet how can this be. With man having self will and the devil having carte- blanche to attack and destroy who he will?” At the end of the days I Neb’u’chad’nez’zar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and my understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most high. Dan 4 v 34

God is working his purposes out. I believe that one day we will know as we are known.” And we know that the Son of man is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and that we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 5 v 20

The Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God does help us in our infirmities and God Has promised that if we ask in faith he will reveal these things to us. But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit”.

1 Cor 2 v 9/10

God wants us to understand to the limit of our capabilities. Yet all is possible in the Spirit.” If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering. James 1 v 5/6

Wisdom is a prayer request away. Do you understand this?

Death of Baalim

The Lord commanded Moses to send forth Israel, a thousand of every tribe to war against the Midianites. “And they gathered against the Midianites as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. And the slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Re-ba, and Zur, and Hur, and Re’ba, five kings of Midian: Ba’laam also the son of Be’or they slew with the sword”. Num 31 v 8.

The Word of God is honest, brutally honest in revealing the truth. Ba’laam’s death was a tragedy. Here is a man God used in prophecy, a man with a gift from God. A man who reluctantly, blessed Israel. “If Ba’lak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak. Yet he died ignominiously deliberately killed with the enemies of Israel the Midianites. What happened?

Num 24 v 13

In warning of the apostasy and false prophets among the people in the last days the word of God states, “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Ba’laam the son of Bo’ sor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbade the madness of the prophet. 2 Peter 2 v 15/16Ba’laam was rebellious against God and led Israel into sin. Ba’rak tried to bribe him to curse Israel, but he was unable to do so, as the spirit within him, could not ever curse his chosen nation. Remembering that the Spirit of God could come

Ba’laam caused Israel to mix in with the Midianites in promiscuous relationships. “And Moses said unto them. Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Ba’laam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the people the congregation of the Lord. Num 31 v 15/16Today there are many evangelist and preachers who take the money and run. I was told that an itinerant evangelist, who was motivated by money and would insist that the buckets were sent around the congregation again and again.

A spirit of covetousness is just barely hidden in many churches and many Christians. They still are attached to this world and its devilish systems. There is a iniquitous doctrine pervading some churches, a very subtle lie that implies you can have the world and all its pleasures and be a follower of Christ. God says no never it is impossible.

“Love not the world, neither the things in the world…If any man love 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 of the world 1 John 2 v 15

It is not only Evangelist and preachers who have to be careful about a spirit of covetousness, we all have to examine our hearts and say, “Lord is it I”?

“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12 v 15

Protection

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord”. Isaiah 54 v 17

Do we have any understanding, inclination of the weapons that are formed against us? In the spiritual world of the principalities and powers, the rulers of darkness, Satanic plots and plans are hatched? The malevolent forces that oppress and depress, the spiritual attacks and the fiery darts are prepared?

There is a product you spray onto the electrics of a car, which keeps it dry. It is invisible.

We must apply the protection of God, put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the whiles of the devil…. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour that ye may be able to withstand in that evil day and having done all stand.

Ephes 6 v 11/18

We must hold up the shield of faith wield the sword of the spirit. This is not passive but an activity. Above all take…..

The devil may like the Mafia try to tempt us to take the worlds protection but only the Lords protection will prove sufficient.

Physical attacks are common to the street preacher. People get so angry so quickly, and without cause. Jesus was attacked frequently. “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath. And rose up and thrust him out of the city and led him unto the brow the hill, whereon the city was built, that they might cast him down headlong”. Luke 4 v 28/29

No weapon that is formed against thee. The devil is not passive? He is actively engaged in seeking to destroy Christians. This is one of his priorities. “The devil goes about seeking whom he may devour”. A Lion seeks its prey; it will tear the carcass to pieces unmercifully. The devil is described as a roaring lion. He is also subtle and will lay in wait to trap the unwary, to attack them in their Achilles heel.

The heritage of the saints of God however is assured. God promises that no weapon will prosper against us. We are upheld by his right hand of righteousness, “Their righteousness is of me”. Isaiah 41 v 10. Isaiah 54 v 17

We can trust God with our lives, we can be thrown into prison, into the lions den we can be thrown into the fire that is heated up seven times more than usual and come out unscathed and unharmed. “He answered and said, Lo I see four men walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt: and the form of the forth is like the Son of God”. Dan 3 v 25

Ishmael

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ish’ma’el; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand will be against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” Gen 16 v 11/12

Ishmael was not Gods first choice. He was the result of a union with Abraham and Sarah’s hand maid Ha’gar Sarah was barren and rather bitter against God. “Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Ha’gar. And Sarai said unto Abram, behold not the Lord has restrained me from bearing: I pray thee go in unto my maid; that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened unto her. Gen 16 v 1/2

We see Saria seeking comfort for herself, the shame of being childless leading her to sin. And Abram hearkening to her, without prayer or seeking God. What consequences were to follow this presumptuous action.

How true this is in our own lives. A trail of decisions made in the flesh and the resulting misery and failure, as a harvest. ” Be not deceived God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Gal 6 v 7/8

Ha’gar had fled from Sarai and in the desert and angel had told her that she should bear a son to Abraham. Who should be called Ishmael because God has heard of thine affliction. God declared that he would be a wild man, fierce, whose hand shall be against all men, and all men against him”. What a future! Gen 11 16 v 11

Later we find Ha’gar again in the desert with Ishmael, cast out by Sa’rai and in great distress. They both could have died there and that would have been the end of the story. But God had a plan for Ishmael. “And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs… for she said, let me not see the death of the child.. And she sat over against him and lifted up her voice and wept” Gen 21 v 15/17

The Lord showed Ha’gar water and she and Ishmael survived. “And God was with the lad, and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

Gen 21 v 20/2

The war that was to rage in the seed of Ishmael and Esau continues to this day. Gods Sovereign plan for the nations. Israel and the Palestinians all started with the seed sown.

For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to the election might stand not of works, but of him that calleth”. Rom 9 v 11

The Challenge

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take and take up his cross and follow me”. Math 16 v 24

The Gospel is a challenge. To obey, to yield all, to lay all on the altar. To be prepared to follow. The wonderful thing about the fishermen on the beech is that they simple left their nets and followed Jesus. Take up thy cross is Gods word to us.

Take up thy bed and walk. Yes we can happily accede to this. To be wonderfully healed, to be released from the sick bed, from disability, from depression and fear. How wonderfully easy then to sing Gods praise and leap and dance and praise God. “Arise, take up thy bed and go unto thine house” And he arose, and departed to his house”. Math 9 v 6/7

And if thy right hand offend thee cut it off. To have a hand amputated would be a sever disability. In some parts of the world the thief is still punished in this way, and it must be said in such countries, there is little risk of losing your watch or wallet to a pickpocket.

What is my hand doing? Reaching out for some awful magazine with pornographic material, reaching out to switch on some lurid film, reaching out to receive some money not honestly earned. Is my hand employed in writing a letter full of lies or poison? Yes far better to cut it off.

Math 5 v 30

What of my eye? Does it offend me? What does it see? Do I gaze upon some tragic scene of devastation, without compassion; does it scroll through the world’s dustbins on satellite TV? “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath comitteth adultery with her already in his heart”. Math 5 v 28

The world is full of filth. You can hardly walk down the shopping mall without seeing sights, which sicken. Unfortunately the things we see have a subtle effect on us. The mind assimilates and remembers and the heart can be accepting of some sights, which often repeated, become the norm. Putting out your right eye! Cutting off your right hand what a challenge.

Sometimes the hardest challenge is parting with that secret, beloved sin. We would not admit it even to ourselves, yet deep down, hidden from our conscience thought yet coming to the surface from time to time, is that hidden sin.

The secret love of this wicked world. The rebellion and unbelief we reserve for ourselves. God sees the heart.

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? I the Lord try the heart, I try the reigns, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer 17 v 9/10

What I Saw

Ezekial the prophet and priest of the Jews,  gave his warning messages in captivity over a period of twenty two years. Together with the king of Judah, Jehoiachin, he was in captivity near the river Chebar in Mesopotamia.. He prophesied against the wickedness and idolatry of his nation, even in captivity.

We read of his remarkable vision. He was not alone, the elders were sitting with him in his house. As I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me”. Ezek 8 v

It would be wonderful and amazing, if as we sat reading this word today that the hand of the Lord would fall upon us. Oh Glory it would be. “Lord open my eyes”..

What did he see? What could be revealed to us in a vision? Have we ever had a vision? What strange and wonderful things they are!!!

Is God finished with his people? Is it to be dark forevermore, until the Lord Jesus comes in glorious light.. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”. Joel 2 v 28

How sad that we become fossilised without faith! What did Ezekial see? “Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of the loins, even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. And he put forth the form of a hand and he took me upward”. Ezek 8 v 2

Ezekial was lifted up between the earth and the heaven. He saw Jerusalem, he was taken to the inner gate, that looketh towards the north, and he saw, the image of the seat of jealousy. He saw a spirit of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

Now here is a strange thing? What is God showing us? Great abominations are taking place daily, in this country, in our abortion laws, with pornography, and immorality on every hand. With Homosexuals parading like beauty queens in all their evil bravado and normal family life mocked. “Where there is no vision the people perish” Prov 29 v 18″

Go in and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. So I went in and saw, and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beast, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the walls round about. Ezek 8 v 11

Twice the Lord ask have you seen this, O son of man? Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these”.  Ezek 8 v 15/ 17

Are we like the blind man with partial sight?. “I see men as trees walking” Mark 8 v 24

The Dying Thief

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed upon him saying, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us”. A selfish prayer from a crucified and rebellious thief who was dying yet unbelieving.

How many millions our souls enter into eternity just like this. How he railed upon the Lord.. Why be angry with an innocent man, who was also dying surely this is human nature at its worst.

Yet on the other side of Jesus, another thief who had the courage to defend Jesus, and to rebuke his fellow criminal. “But the other answering him rebuked him saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation. A message from a dying man to a dying man.

Luke 23 v 40

In the repentant, believing thief we have a perfect picture of the Gospel. The guilty one looking to the bleeding dying form of Jesus and calling out to him This thief recognised his sin confessed his crime and was willing to confess publicly. A death bed conversion!

The one thing a wicked-hardened heart wants to do, refuses to do, is to confess sin publicly. Paul did it, .he wrote to his convert young Timothy, This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief”. 1Tim 1 v 15

This thief confessed. “And we indeed justly for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss”.

Luke 23 v 41

How wonderful, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleans us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned we make him a liar, and his word is not in us”. 1 John 1 v 8/10

He called him Lord. When the Lord passed by the blind man, he called out “Oh thou Son of David, have mercy on me”. It appeared that he had not heard them. But when they changed their cry to Lord, have mercy on me. The Lord instantly addressed them. Friend if you will bow the knee to Jesus. To call him Lord and ask him to hear your hearts plea for forgiveness, you too may be in Paradise with Jesus.

The thief’s prayer was not religious it was a simple hearts cry.

No religion could save him. He could not go to church, he could not read his Bible He could not be baptised., he could do no good works.

With Faith he saw the Lamb of God looked upon him and believed. He saw the actual blood of the Lamb and was saved. Friend have your eyes been opened to see the Lamb of God. John 1 v 36

Death comes to the house

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. Therefore his sisters sent unto him saying Lord behold thy whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified”.John 11 v1/4

After that glorious resurrection, with those powerful words of command, “Lazarus come forth”, then the purposes of God begin to become clear. Jesus is to receive glory. We stagger at the thought of Lazarus in the tomb four days, “By this time, he stinketh”. We wonder at the inexplicable delay and those words of Jesus, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep”.John 11 v 11

The world is full of dead people. Spiritually lifeless. Our churches have many slumbering forms, the body seems to be alive yet they sleep and slumber in the pews. For these folks, Christianity is similar to a prison sentence and church life has to be endured. In truth they have never been born again.

Grieving Mary had a message. The Master is come, and calleth for thee”. Perhaps that is the message for you today. The Master is come and calleth for thee. A visitor to your heart. He calleth for thee. Can you not hear the Holy Spirit calling you? Martha came secretly. The Spirit comes silently, like a breath of wind, gently. The master calleth.

Martha received word from Jesus, “Thy brother shall rise again”. Have we this assurance that our loved ones will rise up again on that glorious resurrection day?

John 11 v 23

A big stone fills the entrance of the tomb. Inside it is dark and cold. The body lies still and immovable. The grave clothes bind tightly. Out side the tomb the sun is shining, the birds sing, the clouds scud across the sky. The sound of children playing fills the air.

A voice is heard. A loud voice ringing with the authority of God. “Take ye the stone away”. Willing hands push and others grapple with the heavy stone. Slowly it moves. Light enters in .A hush comes on the crowd. The Jesus speaks again. Lazarus come forth”. Oh the glory A man staggers out barely able to move, but moving. Lazarus, Jesus friend is alive.John 11 v 39

Friend whatever your problem, whatever stone, Satan has moved across your life. Jesus, the Son of man, the Son of God, is able this day to remove it and command life to come forth from death.

Dorcas too was presented alive when Peter visited the home of death. Acts 9 v 41

Jesus gives Life Eternal to all who believe”

The Power

“Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth, Acts 1 v 8

All power belongs to God but God has graciously made provision for us to receive this power, “This is the Word of the Lord unto Zerubabal, saying Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of host”. Zechariah 4 v 6

I was watching my wife repairing some curtains and using her sowing machine. As I idly observed I saw the rubber band on the machine transferring power from the motor via the band to the machinery. It reminded me of those old cotton mills in Lancashire where belts of leather, dangerously positioned overhead, drove the machines. Power was being transferred Jesus told his disciples, “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth”. This was followed by the instruction, “To go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost”. Math 28 v 18/19

Men have struggled for power since time began, creating Empires and dynasties. At the time of Jesus the Roman Empire held sway. England has lost in this last century, the British Empire where the red, white, and blue flag flew in many continents. The old time Pharaoh’s and Emperors in China held absolute sway over their subjects. Life was cheap.

In the last world war some prisoners were forced in slavery in camps, where they perished in their millions. In the Elizabethan age the captain of a ship was Lord and Master to his crew. Men were flogged for the slightest misdemeanour. Jesus gave his disciple power against unclean spirits,

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”.

Math 10 v 1

At the completion of the building of the Temple King David gave God the glory as he prayed. “Thine O Lord, is the greatness and the power, and the glory and the victory, and the majesty for all that is in the heaven and the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted above all”. 1 Chron 29 11/12

Is it relevant today? God gives power. He transfers his power to earthen vessels. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and not be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and walk and not faint”. Isaiah 40 v 29/31

“The Lord Jesus lives in the power of and endless life”. Hebrews 7 v 16

And to those who overcome, he promises, “And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him I will give power over the nations”. What a thought! Rev 2 v 16

The Bulwarks

Strong walls, or bulwarks have been built over the centuries to guard the inhabitants of the cities, from the marauding mob and the invasion of the enemy.

The inhabitants of the Promised Land as Israel came out of Egypt were in cities with massive walls. Such were they that the spies sent in to spy out the land felt they were inpreganable.”Nevertherless the people be strong that dwell in the land,, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of A’nak there. Despite the exhortations of Joshua and Caleb, the people were affrighted. They felt they were grasshoppers, the cities are walled and very great. Numbers 13, v 27

Many times in our pilgrimage walk with God, the walk of faith, there seem to be impregnable obstacles in our way. The walls, which Satan erects, look very formidable indeed, yet just like the false walls on a film maker’s set, they are just cardboard. You can push them down easily.

When we look back in history, we remember the legend of the Fortress City of Troy. How the wooden horse was employed to conceal men in its belly and when it was taken into the city they unlocked the gates. Soon the city was captured.

This is just what the devil can do with our defences. It’s a subtle, insidious deception, to creep in under cover of darkness, into the church or fellowship scene and sow his tares among the good seed.

…And thou shalt build bulwarks against the city, that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued”. Deut 20 v 19/20

When God was speaking of the city of Zion through the Psalmist, he said” Walk about Zion, and go round about he; tell the towers thereof. Mark well her bulwark’s, consider her palace’s that ye may tell it to the generation following” .Psalm 48 v 12/1

Solomon tells of another city in parable. “There was little city and few men within it,, and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then I said , wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised., and his words are not heard. Eccl 9 v 14/16

We are in an earthen vessel a tabernacle of Gods habitation by the Spirit. We are under constant threat of attack. Many times the enemy of our souls besieges us.

We must set watchmen upon the walls. “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day not night: ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silent. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth” Isaiah 62 v 6

I trust you have been blessed by reading Daly Thoughts. Please email me with your helpful comments.

Tony@dalybread.freeserve.co.uk