Three needs.

"Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess. I thank the Lord that I've been blessed with more than my share of happiness." sung the late Ken Dodd.

Someone has claimed that there are three things that a person needs in order to be happy! These are:

1. Something to do - some meaningful work, or some way of helping others;

2. Someone to love - someone to whom we may give of ourselves, such as a spouse, a child, a friend;

3. Something to which we may look forward - perhaps a holiday, a visit from a loved one, improved health, the realisation of a dream.

It is probably true that these things may provide at least a temporary happiness. However, as we get older, and physically weaker, we may find it more difficult to do the things that we were able to do so easily when we were younger. As we get older, some family members and friends are no longer there. I know that more and more of the deaths of which I learn are of those who fit into those categories. As we get older, it can become more difficult to go on holiday; loved ones are no longer able to visit; our health tends to deteriorate; it is too late to realise any dream that has never been fulfilled.

However, lasting fulfilment may be found - in a relationship with the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

1. Something to do - if you are a disciple of Jesus, you have been been gifted through God the Holy Spirit to serve the Saviour by serving others in His Name. "... love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour." (Rom 12:10).  We are also commanded to spread the Gospel message around the world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matt 28:19-20).

2. Someone to love - We love God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit* - because He first loved us (I Jn.4:19). And, of course, we love others: "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God." (I John 4:7).

3. Something to which we may look forward - one day (perhaps sooner than many realise!) we who are His will be welcomed into the nearer presence of Father God, where we will enjoy eternity* with Him, in a place that has been especially prepared for us (John 14:2-3; Rev.21:3-4). We shall see the Lord Jesus and - wonder of wonders - we shall be like Him! (I John 3:2). Now all of that (and there is more!) is certainly something to which we may look forward!

For joy (which is,in fact, much better than mere happiness!) that does not depend on age or circumstances, Jesus, the Christ, is all that we need. I warmly commend Him to you.

* the Trinity, and eternity, are both dealt with in "Great Words of the Faith" (link above. Remember that ALL royalties now go directly to the bank account of Release International, in support of the Persecuted Church - as do those on my other two books.

The end of time!

I believe that it was no less a person than Albert Einstein who established that 'time' has a beginning and an end. Of course, students of the written Word of God, the Bible, already knew that, as the fact is clear in that Word! There have also been many who have claimed, in spite of the clear statement of the Lord Jesus to the contrary (Mk.13:32), to be able to predict the very day on which the Son will return and herald the end of time.

However, although we can not know the precise point at which time will end, we may discern the seasons - and there are many indications that we are rapidly approaching that momentous event known to Biblical theologians as "the rapture". There are a few differing views as to when, in the overall scheme of things, that event will take place. The Bible speaks of a time of tribulation for the human race. I am among those who believe that the rapture will occur immediately before that seven-year period.

One of the clear signs of the times is the increase in the persecution of disciples of Jesus. Those of us who live in what is often called "the West" are often blissfully unaware of the severe difficulties faced by our brothers and sisters in the Lord, in more than fifty countries in the modern world. However, even the secular world is beginning to realise something of the extent of the persecution that these dear people face. Indeed, a recent report ordered by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, stated that the persecution of Christians in parts of the world is at near “genocide” levels!

Having been interested in, and supportive of, the persecuted church for decades, I am aware of some of the current increase in persecution in, e.g., China, India, Sri Lanka, and the Central African Republic. I know that North Korea remains the most dangerous country in the world in which to be identified as a disciple of Jesus. I know that Muslim extremists will target Jesus' followers as much as they will Jews. This is seen, particularly, in Nigeria where two Islamic groups - Boko Haram and militant Fulani tribesmen are responsible for the slaughter of more believers than in any other country - more than 75% (if I recall correctly) of all of those murdered, are in Nigeria! Of course, there are fates worse than death!

There are, of course, many other such signs, so it is a wise person who will ensure that they are ready for the event itself! How may one do that? Simply by being "born again" (John 3:3). That, in turn, involves the ABC of admitting that you are a sinner in the sight of Almighty God; believing that the death of Jesus, the Son, is sufficient to atone for your sins; and confessing to others that you are now committed to following Him.

That is the shortened version! May I recommend two of the links below - "Do you need God?"; and "New Christian UK"? Of course, you may also contact me using the e-mail address at the top. I would also recommend the first two of my own books (remember, I receive no financial benefit at all. All royalties go directly to Release International - supporting the persecuted church). Of course, the third book is worth reading - but start with the first two!

Blessings, and shalom.

Religion - or Relationship?

Mary works hard because she wants her boss to recognise her accomplishments and reward her with a promotion that will increase her salary. Nancy loves her job, and the product that her company sells and, out of a deep sense of loyalty, she works hard to make the product better.

Mary is like the person who hopes that good works, or religion will, one day, be rewarded by Almighty God (of Whose existence she may not even be totally convinced!). Such a person counts on their good deeds to gain them entrance to heaven.

Nancy is more like a picture of the person who has faith in God, and His grace, through a personal relationship with Jesus, the Christ, and is assured of eternal life. Such people do good deeds out of gratitude and love for the Lord.

Someone with "religion" may believe in the existence of God; attend a worship service - even regularly; 'say prayers' (which is not necessarily the same as 'praying'!); show kindness; and be considered to be a generally 'good' person. People who have "religion" have many good qualities - but religion is not, and never can be, a substitute for a saving relationship with Father God, through  the atoning* sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, the Christ (Messiah; HaMashiach), and the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKadosh).

People with faith put their trust in the Lord Jesus for forgiveness of sin. They have assurance of eternal life, and seek to become more like Jesus on a daily basis - the process known as "sanctification"* It is not a matter of my 'works', as if I could somehow earn salvation. Paul, writing to the early believers in Ephesus stated: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9). There is one Way, and one Way only. Jesus said: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6) - words that appear to have been forgotten (or are ignored!) even by some members of the clergy with whom I am acquainted!

Religion - that is man-made, and leads to hell; or a relationship with the Sovereign Creator of all that exists - a relationship that does not depend on what you have done, or can do, but solely on His love, and grace, and mercy?

Remember: we are saved, not by what we do, but by trusting in what the Lord Jesus has done!

*These words, or a cognate, are dealt with in my first book: Great Words of the Faith (access details above). The first 10% is available for preview on the Amazon link. Remember that ALL of the royalties earned go directly to the bank account of Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

Tomorrow's newspaper!

Well, the 'moratorium' is over - much sooner than I had expected. However, the previous post was viewed by a considerably larger number than I had seen for some time, while not a great number had indicated that they were reading the last couple of posts on Facebook! So, the next plan is to publish here, on the blog (AussieJohn will be pleased!) and to also publish on Facebook - but not quite the full post! This is because only blogs with a high number of 'hits' are quoted when someone does a search on any of the 'key words' in the blog! So, please keep accessing the blog (non-commercial - I do not receive any pecuniary benefit!), and encourage others to do the same!

I have often heard, and used, the expression that "The Bible is more up-to-date than tomorrow's newspaper". It came to mind, this morning, as I continued in my daily readings in the Book of Psalms, and read Psalm 12. The Psalm begins with a plea to YHWH for help - and the reason why that help is being sought!

"Help, Lord; for there is no longer any that is godly; for the faithful have vanished from among the sons of men. Every one utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (vs.1-2; emphasis added).

Now remember, that David, the psalmist-king of Israel, penned those words about 3,000 years ago! Yet, as I read them, I thought of what I had read in yesterday's newspaper - and what I fully expected to read in today's (and tomorrow's!).

My mind raced! I recalled George Orwell's prediction of "newspeak" in his well-known (if not widely read!) novel, 'Nineteen Eighty-four'! Words are important, but vocabulary is constantly changing. When I was a boy, the "bin-men" came around, every week, and emptied the dustbin that my dad had left out at the front of the house. However, the 'bin-man' eventually became the "domestic refuse disposal operative'!

Today, we are used to the expression "fake news" - that, with the assistance of the internet, can span the globe more quickly than I can type this post! Sadly, because education systems have been taken over (it would appear!) by what would be described as "left-leaning" ideologies and their proponents, and dumbed-down to mediocrity, so many do not even question the information, let alone seek to analyse it! I read, this morning, in Warren Wiersbe's comments on this Psalm, that "... in military jargon, 'retreat' is 'back-loading of augmentation personnel'. If, while you're 'back-loading', you get shot, the bullet hole is a 'ballistically induced aperture in the subcutaneous environment'. (Be Worshipful, p.52). That made me think of Gus Hedges, the Chief Executive in "Drop the Dead Donkey" - a UK television satirical sit-com, set in a fictional TV news-room, that was broadcast throughout most of the 1990s - who’s full of appalling management speak. Twenty years later, the situation has, I would contend, deteriorated even further! David wrote about his own situation and circumstances - but wrote, more truly, of the future than he could possibly have realised!

Lies, flattery, 'double-speak' - how much more contemporary could one be? David continues:

"May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, 'With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is our master?'" (vs.3-4). I thought of the majority of politicians! Great boasts; great promises; great oratory! It would appear that many people are, at last, catching on! However, the fact remains that a political manifesto is only as good as the number of votes it garners. 

You may know the story of the man who died, and was informed that he could check out both heaven and hell, before making his choice as to where he would spend eternity. (It is only a story!!!). He was taken in an elevator, first of all to hell. He got out, and was astonished by the beauty of the vista that met him. People were so happy; he saw many of his old friends; there was a marquee with tables laden with the finest, and most exotic, of foods; there was a bar with a banner above it announcing that "All drinks are free"! It certainly wasn't the hell that he had expected from what he had heard preached on the rare occasion on which he had attended a worship service in a Christian church building!

Next, he was taken up, in the elevator, to heaven. He stepped out into a similar scene, but quickly realised that he didn't actually recognise anyone who was there! He made his decision. "I choose hell", he announced to the angel who had been accompanying him. "You're quite certain?" asked the angel. "You do realise that, once you have made your choice, you cannot change your mind!" "No," said the man, "I won't want to change my mind. I mean, this place looks good, but I saw so many of my friends in hell - and it's much nicer than I had been led to expect!"

He was sent down - alone this time - in the elevator to hell. As the doors opened, he was met by a scene of total devastation. Those friends whom he had recognised, and who had looked so happy and contented, were now looking haggard, and obviously in agony. The devil approached him, to welcome him to an eternity in this terrible place. "I don't understand", said the man. When I checked before, this place was wonderful. It had everything that I could want. What has happened?" "Ah," said the devil, "last time we were campaigning. Now you have voted!"

It's only a fictional story - but it does have a clear message!

David ends his Psalm "On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the sons of men." (v.8). As I look around, I see so much of this. In the margin of the copy of the Bible that I use in my devotions, I have noted Is.5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Is that not what we see today. The murder of an unborn child in its mother's womb is, according to some, a "human right"! It may be argued that it is for the mother - but hardly for the child! We see criminals receiving three good meals each day; access to educational courses; access to the internet; calls for mobile 'phones to be issued; etc. At the same time, some of our elderly are have to exist on one of the smallest pensions in western Europe, and military veterans are sleeping on the streets. 

However, there is hope! David was not a man to allow despair to totally overcome him. Read these words from the middle of the Psalm: "'Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,' says the Lord; 'I will place him in the safety for which he longs.' The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Do thou, O Lord, protect us, guard us ever from this generation." (vs.5-7).

I love that word "safety". It comes from the same root as the name Yeshua - the Hebrew from which we get (via the Greek!), the Name that is above every name, the name Jesus. In the margin I have written this, and added: "The only true safety is in Jesus".

However difficult the times; however low mankind sinks in the mire of his own making; however much we may despair as we see our society and culture crumble before our eyes; we may have hope! God is still on the throne. He is still the Sovereign Lord of the universe. He still controls the affairs of mankind, however much some may think that their Soros-like fortunes mean that they are in charge. Read Psalm 2 for an overview of what is really happening!

Those who are in the Christ; those who are true disciples of Jesus; are assured of His presence in every situation and circumstance. Most of those who read these words will be living relatively comfortable lives. Hundreds of thousands live is situations of severe persecution. But, to each and all, the promise is true: "'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' Hence we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?'" (Heb 13:5-6).

May that be your personal experience, today, and every day.