The end of a season?!

It would have been good to have reached a nice round number like 1500! However, at what will be post #1433, I have decided to bring my blogging season to a close. :-(

The reason for this is the falling number of people who are accessing the blog. It may not always have appeared to be the case, but I have put a fair bit of effort into most of the posts that I have published (occasionally, one just couldn't wait to be typed up!). However, it may be better if I just publish the occasional 'blog-like' status on my Facebook page. Possibly, there will be more people who will access it, and read it - and even act upon it!

There are, indeed, seasons in our lives. I know, because I have been through a number of them in my own experience. It may be, simply, that my blogging season has ended and, if that is the case, then it would be somewhat pointless to continue. 

My Facebook status comments may be viewed by all (I think!), so those who have been faithful in their support ought not to lose out. It may even be that, at some point in the future, I will be led to post on my blog again. Meanwhile, the blog should remain available and, using the "Search Engine" at the top left-hand corner, you may be able to find a post (or more than one!) on any topic in which you have a special interest.

There is much that is wrong with our world. today. We may react to that with total despair! That would certainly be understandable. However, there is an alternative reaction. It is the reaction of those who are convinced that there is One Who is in control; One Who knows the beginning from the end; One Who is working out His own divine purposes, day by day. Those of us who claim to belong to Him, the Almighty Creator of all that exists, may know His security in every situation and circumstance.

I have just completed reading, and studying, the little letter from Jude - one of the half-brothers of the Lord Jesus - in my personal devotions. Written to believers who were facing situations that most of us cannot comprehend (but those in what we refer to as "the persecuted church" comprehend only too well!), he encouraged them with these words from the beginning, and the end, of his brief letter:

"To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." (Jude 1-2).

"Now to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of His glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever." (Jude 24-25).

I commend Him to you - and you to Him. 

Good things come to those who put in the effort!

In the strip of garden at one side of my home, I have erected a bird-feeding station. This provides a variety of foodstuffs for small birds, as well as fresh water. This morning, as I watched, one particular little bird was perched on the edge of the tray that contains breadcrumbs - as and when available. Just above it, and slightly to the left, was a fat-ball holder. The bird attempted to fly up to the holder, in order to access the fat. However, it appeared to be unwilling to perform the (to a bird) minor acrobatics that would have enabled it to latch on to the holder, and take its fill of the fat. Instead, after just two attempts, it settled for whatever meagre pickings were available in the crumb tray! Such a variety of food - fat balls; fat block; suet, peanuts, sunflower hearts - and it only received a few of yesterday's breadcrumbs!

I couldn't help but think that this was a clear illustration of human life. So often, there are riches (not necessarily financial!) available to us, if we will put in the effort - but we can't be bothered, and end up settling for second- (or third-) best. We know that if we put in some more effort to our school, or college/university, studies, then we will obtain worthwhile qualifications - but we decide that watching TV, or playing computer games is easier. We know that working a little harder at our job, and constantly seeking to be a better employer can lead to promotion - but its easier to be a "clock-watcher", and to do the minimum required of us. We know that we could make a little effort that could improve our relationship with that grumpy next-door-neighbour (or workmate) - but we prefer to just ignore the person. Breadcrumbs!

It is also true for those of us who refer to ourselves as disciples of Jesus. We know that there is great benefit in spending time reading, and studying, the written Word of God - but it's easier to sit down with a good novel that makes no intellectual, or faith, demand upon us. We know that a solid prayer-life draws us into a deeper communion with Father God - but it's easier to just browse the internet. We know that our spiritual growth will be enhanced if we spend meaningful time with fellow-believers - but it's easier to go to the cinema, or wherever. Breadcrumbs!

That little bird will never know how much its unwillingness to put in some effort cost it. It will never know how much that same lack of effort challenged me! I hope that you have been challenged as well!

One doesn't require formal qualifications!

It is not a boast, but a verifiable fact, that I am fairly well educated. I have also a fair bit of experience of both teaching, and preaching, the Word of God. However, having shared, this morning, on the relevance of the 1st ('Old') Testament to disciples of Jesus, with a group of anglophones, one of the gentlemen spoke with me afterwards.

He reminded me of the record in Mark 4-5 where the Lord Jesus had been teaching a large crowd but, "... when evening had come, He said to [His disciples], "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him.  And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" And He awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:35-41) 

The record continues: "They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Ger'asenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been bound with fetters and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the fetters he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure You by God, do not torment me." For He had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he begged Him eagerly not to send them out of the country." (5:1-10).

Many will be familiar with the Lord's agreement to send those demons into a herd of swine, that rushed, headlong, into the sea - much to the chagrin of the herdsmen! I am skipping over a section but pick up the story at v.21, as Mark has recorded it: "And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about Him; and He was beside the sea."

"What," asked my friend," do you take from that?" I looked at him! "I'd want to think about it. What did you take out of it?" "Well," he responded, "I thought of the ninety and nine (Matt.18:12), and that Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee for that one lost sheep - the demoniac."

Now this is a man whom I have known for a number of years. He has no formal theological education or training. Indeed, it is my understanding that he is still very "young in the faith"! However, what I was reminded was that God is no respecter of persons. God the holy Spirit had given this dear brother an insight that had not been given to this ordained, University and Bible College graduate, with more academic qualifications than he has hot breakfasts in a week (and I always have my bowl of porridge!), who has been preaching the Word for more than fifty years. 

It is good to be reminded of this. I am grateful for the education that I have been privileged to receive; for the godly men under whose teaching I sat; and for the opportunities, over the years, to serve in different capacities. But all of that is of neither importance nor help if I am not as open to the prompting of the Spirit as was my brother in the Lord when he was reading that passage.

You, too, may not have a degree in theology, or in anything else! However, if you are a disciple of Jesus, born again of the Spirit, then you have that same Spirit indwelling you - and He will speak to you if you listen to Him.

May that be your experience - for your own good, and that You may be used to bring glory to our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Things aren't always as they appear to be!

For many years I have started my morning by drinking a tumblerful of warm water, with some added lemon-juice. This, I have been assured, is very good for the condition of my liver - an important organ in the human body. Yesterday, I followed my usual routine, but decided to put the lemon juice into the water prior to warming it. When I started to drink, I was instantly aware that there was a strange taste. However, I persevered, and drunk the lot - about 250mls!

This was followed by my customary bowl of porridge, with added prunes (!), and a tumblerful of fresh orange juice. Five minutes later, the porridge, prunes, and orange juice were being ejected into the toilet bowl!

It wasn't until our return from the worship service that my wife discovered what had happened. The bottle from which I had taken my tumblerful of water actually contained distilled vinegar!!! All that I can say is that it looked like water! All is not as it appears to be!

Israel has been in the news - again - over the past few days as the Muslim terrorist organisation, Hamas, fired almost 700 explosive rockets from the Gaza Strip, resulting in death, injury, and destruction. Understandably, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) retaliated, carrying out air strikes on arms and ammunition warehouses located in the homes of Hamas terrorists in Rafah and Khan Yunis and a warehouse in Gaza City in the home of a member involved with Hamas’ rocket infrastructure. Yesterday, the IDF said that it was starting to attack arms and ammunition depots deliberately placed by the terrorists in areas populated by civilians, and that it was targeting terrorists themselves.

It was also widely publicised that a woman and child, in Gaza, had been killed in an IDF attack. There was little, or no, mention of the Israeli deaths as a result of the rocket barrage - nor of the later established, and now confirmed by the Islamic Jihad terror group, fact that the woman and child were not the victims of IDF action, but were killed by a misfired Islamic jihad rocket! This, of course, is typical of  the propaganda distributed by these men of violence. All is not as it appears to be! (This paragraph has been updated: May 7th)

Sadly, the same principle applies to the church. My current personal devotions are based on the letters from Peter. He, like other of the New (2nd) Testament writers warns about false teachers who "... will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (II Peter 2:1). Not only do these false teachers bring destruction upon themselves, but "... many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled." ( II Peter 2:2). Indeed, "... they entice with licentious passions of the flesh men who have barely escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved." (II Peter 2:18-19).

All is not as it appears to be!

How we need the Holy Spirit gifting of spiritual discernment in the church today - especially in what is often referred to as "the West"! Warren Wiersbe, who died on Thursday - just two weeks short of reaching 90 years of age - comments: "The false teachers use our vocabulary, but they do not use our dictionary." In other words, the false teachers use all of the right words - but what they actually mean by some of those words is questionable! All is not as it appears to be!

It was Charles Spurgeon who said that discernment is not knowing the difference between what is right and what is wrong; but knowing the difference between what is right - and what is almost right!

May all of God's people have a measure of spiritual discernment in these last days. Drinking distilled vinegar instead of water may make one physically sick; fake news may confuse; but false teaching in the church can mean, quite literally, the difference between eternal life, and eternity cut off from the Father Who loves us enough to let us do our own thing!

Godly exercise.

For many years, until well after I had retired from full-time employment, I spent a couple of afternoons each week at one of a number of gymnasiums to which I had (free!) access. I have no doubt that all of that exercise helped me to have the level of health and strength that I enjoy today.

However, I read of one fitness advocate who claims that one doesn't need a treadmill, exercise bicycle, barbells, or any other specialist equipment in order to get a great physical workout at home! He uses a toolbox for stepping exercises; lifts cans of  soup, or bags of flour, to work his shoulder muscles; and makes use of other common household items in his daily training. Other trainers agree, and encourage people to use ropes, chairs, brooms, and even full bags of groceries, in conditioning routines. They see exercise as a matter of will, not wealth.

Actually, the same principle holds true with spiritual fitness! As a retired pastor, I still have a reasonable selection of books in my study. However, while commentaries and the like are undoubtedly helpful, we can begin our spiritual training without any of them! All that we need is the written Word of God, and the guidance of God the Holy Spirit.

Writing to his "son in the faith", the young pastor Timothy, Paul gave this advice: "Exercise daily in God - no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever." (I Tim.4:7-8; The Message).

I recall, during the year between my time at the Bible Training Institute, Glasgow, and at the University of Glasgow, being invited to preach before a congregation in the East End of the city, on Boys' Brigade Founder's Day. I was working night-shift in the Larchgrove Boys' Remand Home at the time (while I gained the 'Highers' that I needed in order to enter University). During the ten or twelve days prior to the Sunday appointment, I spent many hours poring over my Bible and what commentaries, etc., that I then possessed. As I set off for the Home, the night before the worship service at which I was scheduled to bring the message, I had absolutely nothing! I could not very well carry my theological "library", so off I went with a pad of lined paper, and a Bible.

One of the benefits of the night shift was the time one had to oneself! I still recall praying that the Lord would grant me some inspiration so that I might bring a meaningful word to the congregation. By the time I left to return to my 'lodgings'in the Y.M.C.A., I had that word! No recourse to commentaries, or other similar aids. Just the Word of God, and the Spirit of God. That was more than sufficient. I learned a valuable lesson on that particular night shift!

Of course, not everyone is called to preach -  but it doesn't require an annual subscription to take the spiritual truths that we know, and put them into practice. We don't need special equipment, or materials, to pray for a friend; to give thanks to Father God; to sing His praises (and if you don't have a 'singing voice', then just open that mouth and praise Him as you are able!). We just need to begin where we are, with what we have, right now!

Remember: "Godly exercise is the key to godly character."