An attitude of gratitude.

It was in one of our 'local' supermarkets, this afternoon. My wife and I were attending to some shopping requirements. As we passed a trolley that had a small child in it, he dropped the model car with which he was playing. I stooped down to pick it up and gave it to him. His (I presume) mother, turned around from the shelving and instructed him; "Dit merci au monsieur."("Say thank you to the gentleman."). "Merci, monsieur.", the child immediately said, and I responded appropriately.

As we walked on, I spoke to my wife, saying how good it was that a child was being taught to say "Thank you". I know that it is not as common in the UK as it was when I was being raised. I then found myself thinking: How often do we say "Thank you" to Father God, for all of His love, and grace, and mercy, and provision, and protection? Indeed, I suspect that those who are named "the persecuted church" are more thankful, in spite of the suffering that they endure, than are many of us who live in the greater freedom of the "western" countries.

Last week, we were back in the UK to attend the funeral service for a very dear friend of forty years, who had died of triple cancer. I can still recall (and will probably never forget!) her words when she informed us, a year ago, of her diagnosis. She informed us that she was in a "win, win" situation. "Either the cancers will be destroyed, and I will have more time to spend with (her husband) and the family; or it won't, and I will see Jesus sooner. Either way, I can be thankful."

John MacArthur is a well-known pastor and theologian from the USA. He has stated that “A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry.” The late Dr Billy Graham pointed out that “A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord.” I recall the late Rev. George B.Duncan - for many years my minister, spiritual mentor, and personal friend - tell of a Scripture Union Camp that he had led on the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. It was a boys' camp and, one evening, on the slopes of Goat Fell (the high point of the island), they were all seated around a camp-fire. He suggested that every boy pray, but do no more than thank the Lord. He informed us that it was a very moving experience to hear these young lads, one by one, say simply but sincerely, "Thank You, Lord", or "Thank You, Jesus."  

The letters of the apostle Paul have much to say about thanksgiving. However, it was to the disciples of Jesus in Philippi that he gave what is arguably the most important teaching on the subject: "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God." (4:6). We do not give thanks only when all appears to be well, but even when it is anything but! (That, by the way, is the attitude of our persecuted brothers and sisters).

So, do you have an attitude of gratitude? We have so much for which to give thanks. If a small child can do so because a stranger picked up a wee car and returned it to him, surely we, who have received so much from the hand of Father God, can do likewise! Someone has said that “To be grateful is to recognise the love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything.” Thank You, Lord; Thank You, Jesus.

Misunderstood.

It is, perhaps, understandable that various postal authorities regularly raise the cost of postage. More and more people use the internet to send 'letters' (e-mails), and greetings cards (e-cards), and fewer use any form of "snail-mail". I have to confess to being one of the guilty parties. Even the annual newsletter that my wife and I have been sending out since I was licensed as a "minister of the Gospel" has been in e-mail form for many years.

Greetings cards are also now sent electronically. I normally use a particular website (https://www.crosscards.com/) that provides, for many occasions, cards that have a specifically Christian message. However, there is one Biblical text that is used on many of their cards, that I refuse to use! It is, I would contend, one of the most misunderstood texts in the Old Testament, yet it is frequently quoted by those who claim to be disciples of Jesus, and who wish to encourage someone who is going through a difficult time.

The text is found in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, in the 29th chapter, and at verse 11: "'For I know the plans that I am planning concerning you,' declares YHWH, 'plans for prosperity, and not for harm; to give you a future and a hope.'" What a lovely promise! Who but those are opposed to, and who totally reject, the Biblical record could fail to be other than encouraged by such words? There is only one problem - they do not apply, directly, to you or to me!

Hermeneutics is the discipline of Biblical interpretation (the word may also be used for other literary interpretation). It has one supreme rule - nothing should be interpreted out of its context. There is another approach to specifically Old Testament (Hebrew: Tanakh) texts. I also recall a preacher point out that the words of the Old Testament fall into three categories: those that apply to the nation of Israel for all time; those that apply to the nation of Israel at fixed times; and those that apply to all people at all times.

An example of the first category would be the command, regarding the Feast of Passover, in Ex.12:14 where YHWH instructs His chosen people, through Moses, "This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation you must celebrate it as a special festival to YHWH. This is a law for all time." (emphasis added). With regard to the second category, we might take as an example the word given to Joshua in Josh.11:6, where we read, in the context of a coming battle: "Then YHWH said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots.'" For the third category, no better example could be found than nine of the Ten Words (Commandments). The only one that does not apply to non-Jews is the Fourth, concerning Shabbat (Sabbath) observance.

Jer.29:11 falls into the second category. The words are part pf a letter, sent by the prophet Jeremiah, to his fellow-Jews in exile in Babylon (vs.4-28). The exiles were being informed by false prophets that no more of their countrymen would be taken captive, and that they would soon return to Jerusalem. However, through Jeremiah, YHWH informs then that they will be there for 70 years (two full generations!), and that they should settle down, and even pray for the city and for its welfare; and that those left in Jerusalem would face calamitous times.

Thankfully, YHWH is gracious, and this is where the words of v.11 come in. YHWH is assuring His people that, even in this difficult situation; even although they have been accepting the words of false prophets (with whom He will deal!); even although the words of Jeremiah are, on the face of it, depressing; He has not totally cast off His people! The time of their punishment is fixed, and He has great plans for them. Of course, as is the case throughout the Biblical record, there is the requirement of faithfulness and obedience! He will gather them "... from all the nations and all the places ..." (v.14) where He has sent them - words that are receiving their final fulfilment in this age, but that do not apply to believers today!

So, don't be in such a hurry to use Jer.29:11 as some kind of panacea for any difficulty - even if it is self-inflicted! But, our God is still a God of mercy and of love, and of grace. So we may apply these words, carefully, to ourselves. In the Zondervan Study Bible, D.A.Carson comments on vs.11-13: "It is also a profound encouragement to contemporary believers who may feel cut off from God by their sins or by difficult circumstances." The important point to make is that not even Dr Carson is suggesting that we may, as some do, presume upon God's love, and grace, and mercy. He is not suggesting that we may, as some do, take these words to mean that we will be financially rich, always find a good parking space, lose weight without any effort, or otherwise reinforce our carnal notions of prosperity. We need to read (remember!) in context. That means coming to the Lord in prayer (v.12); and seeking Him with all of our heart (v.13).

Then we may discover, for ourselves that, while not all Old Testament promises are directed to us, there may be occasions on which they may be legitimately appropriated for us! We may discover more of the truth of Paul's words to the believers in Rome, that: "... everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures [the Tanakh!] and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope." (15:4). May it be so for each of us, that He might be glorified in our lives, and witness.

It's not about money!

Some weeks ago, during a Facebook "discussion" with a female former pupil, I suggested that she check out some material that I had already published on this blog. Her response surprised me! She informed me that she was not going to access my blog and make me money!

It had been my understanding that money-making blogs ran advertisements in order to accrue an income. Perhaps she thought that I did that! However, this blog was never intended to be any kind of cash cow. It is, for me, a ministry blog, that enables me to share the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, with a wider audience than I might otherwise be able to do. I know that I also publish posts on a variety of other topics, but never with an eye to making money!

However, it may be that there is some way by which I could be making money out the blog, as it stands. If that is the case, it may have hindered some folk from sharing the link so that as many people as possible view it. Permit me to reiterate: I do not make a penny from this blog! However, I would love for it to be more widely read and so, I ask as I have asked before that, if you believe that the content is worthy, you share the link with others. I believe that, the higher the number of people who access it, the higher it climbs on some Google list. That means that if anyone does a search on any of the 'key words' (labels) that are published, Google is more likely to direct them to my blog.

As I am on the subject, I would add that although when I published my first two books, I made clear on the front cover that 30% of the profits from sales would be used to support the persecuted church. That has now changed. The covers now read "ALL royalties go to support the persecuted church". This is true for the third book that is in the process of being published.

So, please spread the word about the blog, and about the books. You will not be doing anything specifically for me - but you will be helping, in some small way, those who suffer - many in ways that are beyond the comprehension of most of us - for the privilege of being disciples of Jesus.

An instrument of ten strings.

As a family, my wife, my daughters, and I are fairly musical. Each of us sings - and, when my daughters were much younger, many car-trips were "shortened" as we sung familiar spiritual songs in four-part harmony! - my wife plays guitar (and Für Elise on the piano!); my elder daughter plays a variety of instruments (she's the professional musician in the family!); and my younger daughter plays keyboard. Me? Well, when it comes to instruments, I can play most tunes on a keyboard, piano, or church organ, provided the tune is in the key of F major!!

I was interested, therefore, to read of a gentleman who, at the midweek prayer-meeting for his church family, prayed in these words: "O Lord, we will praise You; we will praise You with an instrument of ten strings!" Those who were gathered with him wondered at what he meant but, as he continued, it became abundantly clear. "We will praise You with our two eyes, by looking only unto You. We will exalt You with our two ears, by listening only to Your voice. We will extol You with our two hands, by working in Your service. We will honour You with our two feet, by walking in Your ways. We will magnify Your Name with our tongue, by bearing witness to Your loving-kindness. We will worship You with our heart, by loving only You. We thank You, Lord, for this instrument. Keep it in tune; play upon it as You will, and ring out the melodies of Your grace. May its harmonies always express Your glory."

Have you ever thought about yourself as "an instrument of ten strings"? When Frances Ridley Havergal penned the well-known words "Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee" (although many appear to live: "Take my life - and let it be."!) she was expressing the need to make every member of our physical bodies responsive to the Lord's will. Paul emphasises the same truth when he urges the believers in the early church in Rome: "... yield yourselves unto God, as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness." (6:13).

When the apostle also wrote his fellow-believers in Rome, to "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your spiritual worship." (12:1), he was really encouraging every disciple of Jesus, that we might praise God on our "instrument of ten strings"!

Ready to take up music?

"Two eyes to look to God; two ears to hear His Word;
Two feet to serve the Lord; two hands to wield His sword;
One heart to love His ways; one tongue to sing His praise.
Take them, Saviour, let them be always busy, serving Thee." (Anon).

Headed for home!

Tomorrow, as most folk will be aware, marks the 100th anniversary of the end of "the war to end all wars" - that, later, became known as the First World War. Towards the end of that war, the 308th regiment of the 77th Division of the United States Armed Forces launched an attack into the Argonne forest in north-west France. They believed that French forces were supporting their left flank, and fellow-American soldiers protecting their right flank. Sadly, these forces were delayed and, in an age in which the instant communication, which we take for granted, was not available, and the 308 found themselves surrounded by enemy forces, and under severe mortar, and machine-gun, fire.

As every 'runner' dispatched by the Commanding Officer either became lost, or ran into enemy patrols and was captured, carrier pigeons became the only method of communication with HQ. In an infamous incident on Oct 4th, 1918, inaccurate co-ordinates were delivered by one of the pigeons and, on top of all of their other difficulties, the 308 began to suffer shelling - from their own artillery (what is now referred to as "friendly fire"!!). In desperation, a sergeant released the last pigeon available with a note that read: "We are along the road paralell (sic) 276.4. Our artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven's sake stop it."

As soon as the pigeon - named "Cher Ami" ("dear friend") lifted off, a stray bullet grazed the side of its head, and tore out its left eye. Then, a piece of shrapnel hit its chest, shattering its breastbone. However, the homing instinct was strong, and the pigeon struggled on! Somewhere in the flight, another piece of shrapnel tore off its left leg, leaving the message canister dangling from torn ligaments. The pigeon did, eventually, reach its 'home' loft, and the order to cease the shelling went out immediately. Cher Ami had travelled 25 miles (40 km) in just 25 minutes - and was responsible for the survival of almost 200 soldiers.

This week, my wife and I were informed of the death of a very dear friend - a "chère amie" - of almost forty years. She had been diagnosed, about a year ago, with multiple cancers - and that in spite of the fact that she had never been involved in any drug scene, legal or illegal; led a healthy lifestyle; and had no other significant illnesses. She had worked, with her husband (both of them qualified and experienced nurses) in Papua New Guinea, serving people who suffered from leprosy. They have provided hospitality for many, over the years, including my wife and me. Now, she is no longer with us.

However, she was a disciple of Jesus. During the past year, she has undergone much in the physical realm. Medication and chemotherapy caused different physical problems. Nevertheless, from the time of the diagnosis she had the faith-filled attitude that was able to say: "If I am cured, I will have more time with my husband and family; if I die, I shall see my Saviour sooner." She could have sung, with Jim Reeves, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, and I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

My friend has now reached her true home. I don't know how many people survived various medical conditions because of her tireless work as a nurse. I do know that she is now receiving her reward from the Saviour she longed to see, face-to-face.

As I take part in the Armistice Day Ceremony in the village, tomorrow, I shall think of, and be grateful to, all of those who, in two World Wars, and innumerable other conflicts, suffered and died that we might enjoy the freedom that we do - even if that freedom appears to be being steadily eroded by a political élite who care, primarily, for themselves. I shall also be thinking about my friend and, of course, her now-widowed husband, and the whole family circle.

I shall also be praying for those who, today, do not have the same assurance that my friend had. May all who read this post seek that relationship with the Lord Jesus, that she enjoyed. It will be for your good, and will bring glory to His Name.

Running "posthaste" for the Master.

"End of the world FEARS as THREE Apocalyptic signs come true in MONTHS"

This was the headline a day or two ago! It was fuelled by three events taking place within just a few months, allegedly echoing scriptures about the end of the world. These are: the birth of a red heifer in Israel; the claim that the Dead Sea is now populated by fish and other forms of life (with a reference to Ezekiel 47:8-9 - but no mention that the picture given there depends on water that has flowed from the Temple!); and a snake slithering out from the Western Wall on Oct 31st.

Of course, there is only one relevant Scripture in this context. Referring to the end of the age, Jesus said: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matt.24:36).

However, although we may not know the day and the hour, there are many genuine signs (not just three doubtful ones!) that we are, indeed, in the end times. How do disciples of Jesus react to this? Sadly, it would appear that many who claim to be Christians remain unmoved and complacent in their attitude. This means that, with the exponentially explosion in the population on the one hand, and the lethargy of professed believers on the other, we are losing out on the great task of going and making disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded us. (see. Matt 28:19-20).

In the light of this, someone has made the point that, "We must go posthaste and full throttle if we are to reach this dying generation with God's message of hope and salvation."

"full throttle" most of us will understand. But what about "posthaste"? Well, the word goes back all the way to the time of Henry VIII, king of England. At that time, postmasters were given relays of horses to carry messages for the king to important cities of the realm. Because some couriers were irresponsible, and wasted time in taverns and inns on the way, a drastic law was put into effect demanding that every dispatch rider should "ride for his life"! 

The king's edict meant that anyone caught delaying his messages would be publicly hanged! Often, upon particularly important messages, the figure of a man suspended from a gallows, was drawn. Beneath this was the ominous warning: "Haste, post, haste! Haste for thy life!" A number of men were put to death because of their inefficiency, but the practice was eventually discontinued. However, the old expression remains as a reminder that the utmost speed and urgency is required when the king's business is involved.

Writing to the believers in Corinth, the apostle Paul states that we,who claim His name, are ambassadors for the Lord Jesus (II Cor.5:20). Are we, as His ambassadors running "posthaste" to deliver His message of love and grace to others? "The harvest is plentiful," said Jesus, "but the labourers are few; pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest." (Matt.9:37-38). There is, let us not forget, a compelling GO in the GOspel!

Falsehood in the Church.

Every person who claims to be a Christian should watch this clip!

"https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FStopPlayingChurch%2Fvideos%2F828728203850886%2F&show_text=0&width=560"