Be thankful.

It has been well noted that ingratitude and thanklessness are far too common in the world in which we live. Children forget to thank their parents for all that they do for them. Common courtesy is often scorned - I've been criticised, myself, for holding a door open for a female to pass through! People often take for granted the ways in which others help them. Above all, so many fail to thank Almighty God for His many blessings. Such an ungrateful heart is cold towards God, and indifferent to His mercy and love. It is a heart that has forgotten how dependent we are on the Creator for everything. 

As might be expected, the Bible has a few things to say about thankfulness, and gratitude - certainly for those who claim to follow its teaching! Writing to the disciples of Jesus in Colossae, the apostle Paul, in what we know as chapter 3 of the letter, deals with the new life in the Saviour. Part of what he exhorts is: "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ... And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (vs 12-15; emphases added).

Writing to the Thessalonian believers, he exhorts us to: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess 5:18).

Of course, the former Pharisee would have been well aware of the opening words of  Psalm 107: "O give thanks to YHWH, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures for ever!" (v.1). He would also have been familiar with the Levitical laws, including this from Lev.7: "And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which one may offer to YHWH. If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thank offering unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of fine flour well mixed with oil." (11-12). 

However, perhaps the greatest thanksgiving is found in II Corinthians 9:15: "Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" I say "perhaps" because there is a valid argument that Paul is referring to the grace that he mentions in the preceding verse. Having said that, the Lord Jesus, the gift of God's love to mankind, is an unspeakable blessing; no man can conceive, much less declare, how great this gift is; for these are things that even the angels may only desire to look into. Therefore He may be well called the unspeakable gift, as He is the highest God ever gave, or can give, to man. 

In Luke's account of the Gospel, the good doctor records an incident that is not recorded elsewhere. "On the way to Jerusalem He [Jesus} was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when He saw that He was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." (17:11-19). Only one gave thanks - but he received a blessing that the others failed to receive!

May each of us be thankful for all that we have; for every opportunity that arises and enables us to act positively towards others; for the love, grace, and mercy of Almighty God that is offered to one and all.

The Hallelujah Psalms

The last five chapters in the book of Psalms (146-150) comprise what might be considered a great "Hallelujah Chorus" to this "Hallel" book--the "book of Israel's praises," as the book of Psalms was called by the Israelites.

Each psalm in this five-psalm group both begins and ends with an exclamatory "Praise YHWH," or, in the Hebrew, "Hallelujah!" This word, Hallelujah, occurs 22 times in the book of Psalms. This is significant in that the Hebrew language has just 22 letters, suggesting to us that the very purpose of language is for God to reveal His Word to man and for man then to respond with thanksgiving and praise to God.

 

It is further significant that the letters of the Greek language in which the the New Testament was written, begin with "alpha" and end with "omega," and that Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, has reminded us that "I am the Alpha and Omega" (Revelation 1:8; 22:13). The Greek word "Alleluia" occurs just four times in the New Testament, all concerning the great congregation in heaven that will assemble at the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (19:1-6). This may also well be what is called "the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven," (Hebrews 12:23).

 

There, along with "innumerable angels in festal gathering," all the redeemed saints of all the ages will gather to rejoice and to give thanks and to "praise our God, all you His servants" (Revelation 19:5). It seems possible - even probable - that these five Hallelujah psalms will constitute the testimonies of praise and thanksgiving that will be sung by this great congregation there in the presence of the Lamb. The book of Psalms then closes with the great exhortation: "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (or "Hallelujah!"" (Psalm 150:6).

Ath the beginning of a new year, may each of our lives be used to truly praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

When God Became Man

The countdown to the Christmas celebrations is nearly at an end! Now, I know that the one thing that we may say with certainty is that the Lord Jesus was not born on Dec.25th (personally, I believe that He was born during the Feast of Tabernacles), but it is the time of year when we celebrate His birth.

The anonymous writer of the Letter to Hebrew (Jewish) disciples of Jesus, states: "Thou didst make Him for a little while lower than the angels, Thou hast crowned Him with glory and honour," ( 2:7).

We cannot even begin to comprehend what it meant for the infinite Creator God to become finite man, even coming “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3), the very flesh that He had created. Nevertheless, we can, and must, believe it, for “every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. ” (I John 4:3).

 

The Scriptures have given us a glimpse of the “emptying” that His incarnation required - the setting aside of certain outward aspects of His deity. He had been “much superior to angels” (Hebrews 1:4), but He had to be “made lower than the angels, ... ... because of the suffering of death,” (Hebrews 2:9)—“put to death in the flesh” (1 Peter 3:18).

 

The eternal Word “was God” (John 1:1), but it was necessary that “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). “The world was made through Him” (John 1:10), but “the rulers of this age . . . crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).

 

He, “though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,” (Philippians 2:6). That is, He was not fearful of losing His deity and, therefore, did not have to cling to His divine nature and attributes as He became man. Thus, He “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7).

 

Yet that was only the beginning. “For our sake He [God the Father] made Him [God the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (II Corinthians 5:21; emphasis added). Note those emphasised words! For your sake, and for mine, the sinless One not only “bore our sins in His body on the tree” (I Peter 2:24). He actually became the very epitome of sin - sin in all of its blackness, and vileness, and degradation, and evil, etc., etc. Indeed, I firmly believe that it was at that moment in created time, that the Lord Jesus, hanging on the cross, uttered what has become known as 'the cry of dereliction' - “Eli, Eli, la′ma sabach-tha′ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matt.27:46).  The Holy One, Who cannot even look upon sin, turned His face from the Son - and the Son experienced, for that moment of time, separation from the Father. He suffered hell for us, that we might enjoy heaven with Him.

 

Because He was willing to be so humiliated He will, one day - and it may be much sooner than many may think! - be crowned with glory and honour. “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9 -11).

Are you ready for that day? In all of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, let us not forget that it is only the first part of the story that leads to crucifixion, resurrection, and the glorious return of the Saviour.

The People Said, 'Amen'

For many years now, when I have been leading in public prayer, whether at a Sunday worship service, or a smaller meeting, I end by saying "Hallelujah!". What I do not say is "Amen". This is because the word means "I agree" or "That's right" - and, obviously, I agree with what I have just said, and believe it to be right! It's one of the words at which I look in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith". It may also be said when a particular point has been made during the preaching of the Word.

It is interesting to note the biblical examples of such a demonstration. There are sixteen times in which this or a similar statement occurs in the Bible, all in the Old Testament - not unsurprisingly, considering that it is a Hebrew word! 

No less than twelve are found in Deuteronomy 27:14-26 with the people so responding after the pronouncement of a "curse" on those who commit various sins. The last curse is as follows: "Cursed be he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’" (v. 26) in agreement with the judgment.

 

King David ended his thanksgiving psalm for the return of the Ark of the Covenant with, “Blessed be YHWH, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised YHWH.” (I Chronicles 16:36).  When Jerusalem's wall restoration was being delayed and Nehemiah had to rebuke some of his people for their covetousness, threatening God's judgment on them if they did not repent, then "all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise" (Nehemiah 5:13). After the wall was finished, as Ezra read the Scriptures to the people, "Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:6).  The final such reference is in Psalm 106:48 - "Blessed be YHWH, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise YHWH!" (Hallelujah!)

 

If we follow Biblical precedent, therefore, whenever God's Word is read to a congregation, either in denunciation of sin or thanksgiving for blessing and revival, or simply in praising the Lord for His eternal goodness, or signifying our agreement with what has been prayed, it is appropriate for the people to respond with a hearty, and heartfelt, "Amen!"

Fifth Sunday

For a considerable time, I have used these "Fifth Sundays" to merely promote one of my own books. However, in my first post of last month, I wanted to build on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, by referring to some of the millions who die, each year, in situations that most of us are incapable of even imagining.

So, since all royalties on the sale of my books are sent directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church, I have now decided to use these fifth Sundays to share some information about the persecuted church - but to also mention one of my books! Each time, I shall endeavour to share some of the contemporary situations in which disciples of Jesus are targeted for persecution.

More than 300 schoolgirls and 12 teachers have been taken from a school in north west Nigeria, in one of the largest ever mass abductions in the country. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday (21 November) at St Mary’s, a school in the Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area (LGA). The number taken includes 88 students who were captured as they tried to escape. However, 50 of those taken have since managed to escape over the weekend. It’s believed that 253 students and teachers remain held. St Mary’s is a Romanist school, though it is not yet known what percentage of those taken are Christians. 

In response to this latest kidnapping, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered the hiring of 30,000 more police officers, as well as the removal of all officers from VIP protection services to focus on core duties, especially in remote areas prone to attacks. The government has instructed the closure of nearly 50 federal colleges, and public schools in some states have been shut.  

Whilst kidnappings for ransom have commonly been used to terrorise and impoverish communities, former Minister of Information, Jerry  Gana, believes that the sudden escalation in abductions could be because armed groups want to use children as ‘human shields’ following the recent increase in global attention paid to violence against Christians in Nigeria. 

The apparent failure of the government to protect civilians has widespread effects, with more than 10,000 schools closed in northern Nigeria due to the current insecurity, exposing millions of children to illiteracy, early marriage and poverty. This vulnerability makes it easier for Islamist militant groups to recruit them, worsening the spiral of violence and oppression. 

“We are deeply saddened by these latest kidnappings in northern Nigeria,” says Jo Newhouse*, Open Doors (another organisation that my wife and I support, and that works as does RI) spokesperson for the work in sub-Saharan Africa. “We are immediately taken back to the Chibok girls kidnapping in 2014, of which many girls – now women – are still in captivity. We urge the Nigerian government to do everything in its power to safely return these student and teachers to their families, and ensure that schools are protected from such attacks. Closing schools are a short-term solution and all children should be free and safe to attend school and receive an education.” 

This book, available in both paperback and e-book (Kindle) forms, uses the wording of "The Apostles' Creed" to explain, in everyday terms, the basics of the Christian Faith. There are links at the top of the blog, and you may read the beginning, free of charge!