Charlie Kirk - a tribute

It was as I was preparing the post for my French-language blog that went out last Sunday, that I heard the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Like so many more around the world, I was both shocked and saddened, and tears welled up in my eyes. Why? I had never met this young man - 31 one years of age when he was murdered. I had never been at one of the events that he had hosted in so many university campuses. However, I had often heard him speak as I watched YouTube videos taken at many of those events, and had been greatly impressed by his knowledge, his unapologetic testimony to Jesus as his Saviour and Lord, and his calm demeanour in the face of many attempts to rile him. He was known for his political debate, passion for sharing Christ, and support for Israel.

On the day following his assassination, I started to read, again, the book of the prophet Jeremiah. As is my custom, I lifted down a couple of commentaries from my bookshelves, that I might benefit from the words of those who understand much more than I. One of those was a Scripture Union book from many years ago, written by Rev A.E.Cundall. In the introduction to Jeremiah, I read these words: "The prophet Jeremiah ... was an exceedingly courageous man. Called to an extremely difficult task, that of proclaiming God's judgement upon an unresponsive,apostate Judah, he stuck to his task for forty years in spite of popular resentment, which sometimes took violent forms. A lesser man would have given in long before this. Jeremiah had an especial heartache, for he was every inch a patriot; he loved his people and it grieved him to see them inching towards the disaster which he foresaw so clearly, but to which they were so blind."

I would suggest that that description would, to a very large extent, fit Charlie Kirk. 

Last Sunday's French blog post was based on II Tim.2:24 - "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher," (emphasis added). I had shared the road that I had been obliged to travel before entering the teaching profession, here in Scotland, and made the point that disciples of Jesus don't have to follow such a path, but that we should all be teachers in our own way - teaching the Gospel message by word and action.

Those words of Paul to Timothy applied to Charlie Kirk. He withdrew from university studies after one year because he had quickly recognised that he was not being educated, but indoctrinated. Yet, he had a wealth of information at his fingertips, including an apparently encyclopaedic knowledge of God's written Word, that I wish I could match. He was certainly "an apt teacher".

Let those of us who pray, seek to uphold his widow, Erika, and their two young children, before the throne of grace.

I want to write more, but that would make this post unacceptably long, so I'll leave that until next time. Be sure to read!

Joy is better than happiness.

When I was young, there was a popular chorus for children to sing that went: « If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it, If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. »

However, apart from Lamentations 3:17, I am unaware of any reference to “happiness” in the written Word of God (at least in my RSV!). However, there are some 200 references to “joy” - which is a different concept. You see, “happiness” is dependant upon circumstances; “joy” is beyond circumstances.

Jeremiah is not usually thought of as a "joyful" prophet, yet he states: "Thy words were found, and I ate them, and Thy words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by Thy name, O YHWH, Elohim sabaoth." (Jeremiah 15:16)

People today seem always to be looking for fun or entertainment. “Fun”, of course, is never mentioned in the Bible, so it is evidently not considered to be a very significant part of the Christian life. The word “entertain” is used to speak of hospitality, and such activities as “play” and “revelling” only receive condemnation. (Playing is appropriate for children and animals, of course.)

Christians, however, have something far better than worldly fun - they have heavenly joy! This is the unique privilege of the redeemed, and there are many channels through which this joy can be experienced.

First of all, Christian joy comes through the Word. As even Jeremiah said, “Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” . Then we rejoice in God’s great salvation: “I will rejoice greatly in Yahweh; My soul will rejoice in my God, For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,” (Isaiah 61:10; LSB).

There is great joy also in the privilege of prayer and having our prayers answered: “Hitherto you have asked nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24). Christian service and witnessing are a source of tremendous joy when their fruits are finally seen. “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6; LSB).

And there is much, much more! Paul, writing from a Roman prison - no holiday camp! - can encourage the disciples of Jesus in Philippi to: “Rejoice in the Lord always:” and, just in case they thought that he had made an error (or completely lost his mind!), he repeats: “and again I say, Rejoice! ” (Philippians 4:4). 

After all, he might have added, we have a personal knowledge of the very Creator of all that is good and, as Peter points out: “Without having seen Him you love Him; though you do not now see Him you believe in Him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.” (1 Peter 1:8). 

Do you know Him? If not, this may well be, for you, the moment to humbly approach Him, claiming the salvation that He has provided, freely, through the atoning sacrifice of the Son. If I may be of any help, please feel free to contact me, using the e-mail address at the top of the blog.

The Babe in Bethlehem

Micah is one of the "Minor Prophets" - minor, not because they are, in some way, less worthy than the "Major Prophets" (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel), but because the books named after them are much shorter in length.

To confirm the importance of Micah's little volume, we need look at only one verse:

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days." (Micah 5:2)

This is an amazing prophecy, explicitly predicting, more than 700 years before He finally came, that the future King of Israel would be born in the little village of Bethlehem. And, to assure its fulfilment, the great Emperor Augustus had to decree a comprehensive census, compelling Joseph to take Mary with him to Bethlehem for her child to be born.

 

That the prophecy involves an actual birth is clear, not only from the phrase "come forth," but also from the succeeding verse which warns that God will "... give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth;" (v. 3). We may also note that the preceding verse had  predicted that "... with a rod they strike upon the cheek the ruler of Israel." (v. 1), speaking of His initial rejection and execution.

 

But that is not all. The prophecy not only foresees the birth of the Christ-child in Bethlehem, His repudiation by His own people, and His eventual installation as King over all Israel (not merely the southern kingdom of Judah), but also that this same remarkable person was none other than God Himself! His "origins" had been "from of old, from ancient days." That is, He is eternally proceeding forth from His Father. He did not become God’s Son when He was born in Bethlehem; He has been coming forth eternally.

 

There is still another truth implied in the remarkable Hebrew word for "come forth." It is also used for such things as the flowing of water from a fountain or the radiations from the sun. Thus, the never-ending coming forth of power from God the Father, through the Son is nothing less than the sustaining energy for the whole creation, as He is "upholding the universe by His word of power" (Hebrews 1:3). And this was the Babe in Bethlehem! 

As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus (which we should really have done in Sept/Oct, but that's another message!), let us give thanks that the Babe of Bethlehem became the Christ of the Cross, and that He will soon return as the conquering King. Are you ready for that world-shaking event? May all of us see beyond the tinsel, the turkey, the other trappings of the "festive season", and commit ourselves to the service of the Lord.

Prayer that "works"!

When I was in the British Mercantile Marine (aka the Merchant Navy), I was a very immature disciple of Jesus. However, I attended the on-board Sunday "Divine Service" as a witness to my feeble faith. This, of course, marked me out, and I would sometimes be asked if I would pray - not for healing, or guidance, or spiritual strength, but that such and such a horse would win such and such a race, as my shipmate had placed a large bet on that happening! 

I suspect that there are even fellow disciples of Jesus who think of prayer in the same way! It's asking for something, and expecting to receive it. This has led to the situation in which prayer is only answered if we receive that for which we asked!

Now, some might point to the words of the Lord Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 7:8 - "For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." However, it is always dangerous to lift a single verse, and base any decision on it, without recourse to other parts of God's Word that explain, and qualify, the verse in question.

It is not all asking that receives, for there is asking - such as I was requested to make - that is not true prayer. Some ask merely in word, with no real desire in their hearts. Some - like my former shipmates - ask selfishly, that they may use this wonderful privilege to satisfy their own desires. Others ask rebelliously, without submission to the will of Father God. Then there are those who ask without faith - not really expecting any answer. Some ask in laziness, not ready to play their own part. Yet others ask ignorantly for things that would nt be a blessing if they were to receive them. It is surely clear that those who ask in any of these ways will not receive!

Similarly, not all who seek find! The seeking must be earnest. Speaking through His prophet, Jeremiah, YHWH says: "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart," (29:13; emphasis added).The seeking must also be for good things. If we seek that which is sinful, or that would work spiritual harm in us, Father God will not give us what we seek. Then, again, we must be living lives that seek to honour Him. The Sons of Korah remind us that: "No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Ps.84:11; emphasis added). The thing that we seek must be good, and we must walk in the path of obedience, or there is no promise of reward for our quest.

Finally, Father God does not open the door to all knocking. There are knocks like those of mischievous children, who knock at a door (or ring the door-bell),and then run away, not really having wanted to enter! It is also all too easy to knock at the wrong door! It is when we knock at the right door, with expectancy, and faith, and persistence, that the door is graciously opened. 

Thus, in interpreting the wonderful prayer-promise that the Lord Jesus gave, we must read into those words their true meaning. If we are to receive positive answers, then our asking, seeking, and knocking, must be true prayer! 

We'll continue with this topic, DV, next time!

Loved With Everlasting Love

On my very first deputation with fellow-students of the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow, I was not the leader, or the preacher. I was not charged with reading the Scriptures, or praying. My part in the team was to be the soloist. Possibly, that was considered to be the safest thing for me to do! The song that I chose for that evening, in a building close to Anniesland Cross, was "I am His, and He is mine", written by George Wade Robinson, and more often referred to by its opening words:

Loved with everlasting love, Led by grace that love to know;

Spirit, breathing from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!

O this full and perfect peace, O this transport all divine;

In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine.

Of course, love is the foundation, the core, the whole edifice, of the Christian faith. That is because “God is love” (I Jn.4:8, 16). That is His essential Being. Without God, true love would not exist and, if one may say so with all reverence, without love, God Himself would not exist. And God loves you!

His love is an “everlasting love” and compels Him to act strongly and lovingly on our behalf. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the expiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10). Jesus prayed, “I in them and Thou in me, … that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them even as Thou hast loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, may be with Me where I am, …” (John 17:23-24). The Father will never allow those who are truly His to part from Him or our Saviour. These precious facts are taught to us by the “inspired” (literally “God-breathed”) Scriptures: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”(II Tim.3:16), and by “... the Spirit of truth [Who] will guide you into all the truth;” (John 16:13).  God the Father drew us to Himself “... in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself” (Eph.1:5). Writing to his fellow-believers, the apostle John assured them: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (I Jn.3:1). In His grace, we come to Him, experiencing sweet forgiveness and everlasting love. Cradled in the security of His undying love, we have peace. “Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee.”(Is.26:3).  Speaking through His prophet, Jeremiah, Father God said to the Children of Israel: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jer. 31:3). I believe, firmly, that these are words that every disciple of Jesus may take unto him/herself. Are you able to do so?!

To finish, here is a rendering of  the song “Loved with everlasting love,”, sung by Rev William McCrae, who accompanies himself on the piano. Be blessed.

Lovely skin!

For some time, I have had little lesions on one side of my nose, and on part of my forehead. A gel, regularly applied, had been dealing with them for a number of years. Then, my GP retired, and the doctor who took over the practice decided that I should be looked at by a specialist. So, a hospital appointment was made and, after a few necessary cancellations, I finally was able to meet with the dermatologist who, after an examination, prescribed a more powerful ointment. For some weeks, I displayed some very red patches on my face.

However, the ointment seemed to work and, this morning (Sat.), I went for a follow-up examination. I was seen by a different doctor and, as she examined me, she said: "You have lovely skin"!!!! Well, I do not recall anyone ever having said that to me before! However, I was happy to hear it. Well, I was happy, until I gave those words some deeper thought!

You see, that very kind and complimentary doctor was looking only at my skin! If she had been able to look right inside me - not just the physical that could be viewed through x-rays, but the real me; the me that is known only to me; the thoughts that I have; the actions that I take when no-one else is around; etc., etc. - then she might would have arrived at a different conclusion!

Some will be familiar with the record of the prophet Samuel being sent, by YHWH, to the family of Jesse, so that a successor to king Saul might be anointed. The first of Jesse's sons noticed by Samuel, was Eliab, the first-born. As the prophet looked at this, apparently, fine young man of stature, he was sure that the one whom he was to anoint was before him. However, YHWH spoke to him: « ... YHWH said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for YHWH sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but YHWH looks on the heart.” » (I Sam.16:7). Then, again, through the prophet Jeremiah, YHWH makes abundantly clear the manner in which He views us: “I, YHWH, search the mind and try the heart, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer.17:10).

I referred, above, to « the me that is known only to me ». However, those words of YHWH to Samuel, and His words through Jeremiah, remind me that that statement is not totally true! You see, the Lord knows me, inside out, and outside in - and He knows me even better than I know myself! That, as folk often say, is scary!

However, that is also where the message of the Gospel comes into play. You see, the love that Father God has for me - and for you - is so great; so beyond our comprehension; so supernatural that, in the Persona* of the Son, the Lord Jesus, He not only "... bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (I Peter 2:24), but even "For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him [the Son] we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor.5:21).

Please let that sink in. The holy, sinless, Creator, Who cannot even bear to look upon sin, became, in the Son, the very epitome of sin - for you, and for me. Indeed, I believe that it was at that brief moment in the time that He had created, that the Father turned His face from the beloved Son, causing the Son to utter what is often referred to as "the cry of dereliction":  "E′lo-i, E′lo-i, la′ma sabach-tha′ni?” which means, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mk.15:34, et al).

However, the final word that Jesus spoke from the cross was the word (in Greek) "Tetelestai" = "Finished"! That was the word that was stamped on a bill to show that the bill had been paid in full. When Jesus proclaimed it, He was announcing to the whole of the universe, that the price for your sin, and mine, had been "paid in full" with His precious blood and, as we were being reminded this morning, the veil/curtain in the Temple - that signified our being separated from Father God - was torn in two, from top to bottom, showing that the way was now open for us to enter the presence of Almighty God knowing that, as we do so in the Name of the Lord Jesus, we are accepted in Him, and justified in the eyes of the Father. Hallelujah!

But this is true only for those who come to the Father, through the Son, in repentance and faith. I know that many to whom this devotion is sent have done so. I also know that there are those who have not. I urge you, to think seriously about these things. Your eternal destiny depends on your relationship with Almighty God, through the Lord Jesus. He said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." (Jn.14:6). But, in Him, all are accepted - and that includes you! 

* This is explained, further, in my book "Great Words of the Faith", available from Amazon. (Link at the top of the page). Remember, ALL royalties are sent, directly, to Release International in support of the persecuted church.

A past long gone.

I have tried to find the story online - but have been unable to do so! Of course, it may be entirely apocryphal, but even if it is just a parable, it has an important lesson. It is the story of a nun who had, in her youth, committed what she considered to have been a grievous sin. She had, as a Romanist, gone to her priest, and had received 'absolution'. However, this brought her no peace at all. Day after day, she would mentally chide herself for her foolishness, and seek forgiveness.

One day, as she prayed and, again, asked for forgiveness from the only One Who can truly grant it, she believed that she heard a voice asking: "For what do you require forgiveness?" She named the sin, and the voice responded: "But why. I forgave you that sin on the first occasion on which you asked!"

According to the English novelist, Aldous Huxley, "There are no back moves on the chessboard of life"! Yet is it not true that we remain aware of things that we have done in the past, and things that we failed to do? Often, our sins worry us. They motivate us to wish that we could undo the past!

That is why those of us who have placed our trust in the Lord Jesus can be thankful for the message of Father God, found in both the First and Second (aka Old and New) Testaments. The great prophet, Isaiah, urges us to "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isa 55:6-7).

Another of the Hebrew prophets asks: "Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? ... ... Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19; emphasis added). 

When Paul preached in Antioch, he said: "Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him every one that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39; emphasis added).

John, on whose letters my third book - Defending the Faith - is based, writes: "... if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 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, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:7-9; emphasis added).

Are you worried about your past? Rejoice! God has cast all of your sins into the depths of the sea. Are you still concerned about your sins? Rejoice! If you are in Jesus, and He is in you, (in other words if you are His true disciple, born again by the work of God the Holy Spirit in your life), they are forgiven, and you are cleansed from all unrighteousness. 

Permit me to share just two further scriptures. The writer of the great Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus quotes from the prophet Jeremiah when he states: "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." (Heb. 10:17); while the psalmist-king, David writes: "... as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." (Ps. 103:12).

If you have truly put your faith in the Lord Jesus, and received the salvation that He gained for you at Calvary, then the past is truly forgiven and, as the Spirit does His sanctifying work in you, the future is assured!

I love singing, and have many favourite songs and hymns. But if I was forced to choose just one as my "favourite favourite", it would be "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way" (aka "It is well with my soul".) Of that hymn, my favourite verse - and one that I seldom sing without a tear in my eye - is the one that reads:

"My sin; O the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part, but the whole is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord; Praise the Lord, O my soul."

May that be your personal testimony as well!

No alteration needed!

A few weeks ago, I purchased a new pair of jeans - simply because they were at a bargain price! However, there was a problem - the legs of the jeans were much longer than are mine. Thankfully, I have a wife who is very clever with a sewing needle and she was able to alter the jeans to make them the perfect fit that I wanted.

In every era there has been a spirit of the age that challenges our acceptance of the Bible. The temptation is to remove, or alter, those portions that seem to be old-fashioned, or that don't agree with our own contemporary points of view. Whether it's the doctrine of hell; or God's views on sexual behaviour; or whatever; many feel pressured to reject parts of the Bible. Inevitably, some truths will be offensive in every day, or age.

Many centuries ago, a Jewish king named Jehoi'akim was handed a scroll with a message from God, given through the prophet Jeremiah. As the scroll was read aloud, the king took offence, and we read: "It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house and there was a fire burning in the brazier before him. As Jehu'di read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a penknife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. Yet neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words, was afraid, nor did they rend their garments." (Jer 36:22-24). 

The account continues with Jeremiah being told, by YHWH: "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoi'akim the king of Judah has burned. And concerning Jehoi'akim king of Judah you shall say, 'Thus says YHWH, You have burned this scroll, saying, "Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cut off from it man and beast?" Therefore thus says YHWH concerning Jehoi'akim king of Judah, He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night. And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity; I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they would not hear.'" (Jer 36:28-31). 

In the end, Jehoi'akim did, indeed, lose his kingdom, and his life. In the eleventh year of his reign, he ceased to pay 'tribute' to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, whose vassal he was. Nebuchadnezzar responded by besieging Jerusalem and, according to the Jewish historian, Josephus, Jehoi'akim was killed during the siege, and his body thrown over the city wall.

When we selectively edit the Bible to suit our personal fancy, or when we neglect its teachings, we show that we do not fear (or reverence) Almighty God. Rather than submit to what he says, we exalt our own finite reasoning, and fallible conscience, above His inspired Word. 

Any time you're tempted to overlook, or ignore, a portion of God's Word, because it doesn't fit with your personal plans, remember that "All Scripture (and in context, that applies to the Scriptures of the First [Old] Testament but, in reality, it applies to the whole of the Bible) is given by the inspiration of God." (II Tim.3:16). That written Word tells us all that we need to know to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

He is our Certainty in uncertain times - and His Word is unchanging.

Repentance - the missing message in the church today!

When we were back in Scotland for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, my wife and I decided to visit Edinburgh, to see the Christmas Market. We were not a little impressed! What a variety of products from so many different countries - and, of course "the shows"!

It was as we made our way up from the Princes Street Gardens to the street itself, that we spied a gentleman with a large (and I mean LARGE!) placard hung from his neck, and a Gospel message written on it. We decided to say "Hello", and perhaps encourage this dear brother in the Lord, and we were so glad that we did because he was, indeed, encouraged. We chatted for a few minutes and then, as we left, he handed us one of the high-quality publications (I hesitate to use the word "tract" as this was so much more!) that he was offering to passers-by.

We accepted it, but it wasn't until much later, when we were back in the home of the friends who were providing us with hospitality, that I sat down to read it. I was disappointed! The main text was good but, towards the end, I read these words: "All you need to do is simply believe that Jesus died in your place to make a way for you to be born into His family."

Sounds good! Many will have used such words on many occasions. I confess, sadly, that I have done the same! Regretfully, those words are, Biblically, untrue! Believing that Jesus died in your place, on the cross, in order that the way into Father God's presence might be made available to one and all is, of course, necessary. But that is not "all you need to do"! The leaflet leaves out a most important step - one that has been playing on my own mind for some months. 

The message of John the Baptiser is a good place to start. He preached: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt 3:2). What was the first message that the Lord |Jesus preached? "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt 4:17). Something similar about those messages, don't you think?! And the first word in each is the word "Repent"! 

That, I am sorry to have to say, is what is missing in most (if not all!) preaching of the Gospel in what we refer to as "the west". In my private devotions, I am currently reading through the book of the prophet Jeremiah. I have been reminded that one of the key themes in that great book is that of repentance! Commenting on one section of the book, Warren Wiersbe writes: "The false prophets flourished in a ministry that was shallow and popular because they promised peace, and never called for repentance." (Be Decisive; p.22). Does that sound, in any way, familiar? It certainly makes me think of many of those who are the 'big names' in evangelical Christian circles. They don't have to be part of the "name it and claim it", or "prosperity gospel", scenes. But they are in the business of making everyone feel nice and comfortable, and ready to "ask Jesus into your heart"! However, they appear to have "airbrushed" repentance out of the salvation experience - and without repentance, there can be no salvation! By the way, as I was reminded in an e-mail this morning, it is not strictly correct to say or sing that Jesus can come into our hearts, unless it is clearly understood that He is there symbolically in the presence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. In this way, “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts” (Gal.4:6) so that “Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Eph.3:17).

In the margin of the copy of the Bible that I use in my private devotions, are written these words: "Surely the most dreadful words in all of the Scriptures." Those words are written next to Matt.7:21-23, where we read: "Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers.' " I have come to the conclusion that those to whom those terrible words will be uttered may well be those who have not repented! They have sought to live the Christian life, the life of a disciple of Jesus, without ever having truly been born again of God the Holy Spirit.

Many will be familiar with the little booklet, by A.W.Tozer, entitled "Worship, the missing jewel of the evangelical church." May I be so bold as to claim that repentance is the the missing message the church today? May I also recommend a series of brief (app. 35-40 mins each) messages by David Pawson, that are freely available on YouTube? There are six in all, including one on this subject of repentance. It is probably best to go through the full series, in the correct order! Click on the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuJa5n3hAU&list=PL1uFkq_wpOTJhZeCud6eW84CP1OPsEQgv

May Father God grant us the grace to truly repent, that we might know the fullness of life that is available in the Lord Jesus, and live our lives truly in the power of God the Holy Spirit.  

With God's help - you can!

It is probably safe to say that few will have heard of Eric Weisz! Born in Budapest to a Jewish Rabbi and his second wife, he was one of a family of seven (including a half-brother, the son of his father's first wife). The family emigrated to the USA in 1878, and his father served as the Rabbi of the Zion Reform Jewish Congregation, in Appleton, Wisconsin. The family name was changed to the German spelling of Weiss, and Eric became Ehrich. 

However, he is much better known as "The Great Houdini" - escapist par excellence! One of his claims was that he could be locked in any jail cell in the country, and set himself free within minutes! This claim he made good in every city he visited - except one! That day, something went wrong. He entered the cell in his street clothes and, as soon as the heavy, solid-metal, door clanged shut behind him, he removed from his belt a concealed piece of strong, but flexible, metal, and went to work on the lock. Soon, however, he realised that he wasn't getting anywhere. For thirty minutes he worked, without success. Then an hour passed. This was much longer than he usually took, and he began to stress out - but he still was unable to pick that lock!

Finally, after labouring for two hours, and feeling a total failure, he leaned against the door and, to his utter amazement, it swung open. It had never been locked in the first place!

How many times does something look impossible simply because we think that it is? However, many have discovered that, when they have focused their faith on the situation; removed the word "can't" from their vocabulary; and sought the help of Father God; the impossible becomes "do-able"!

When God called Gideon to deliver His people from the Midianites, he replied: "I don't have the right connections." (Judges 6:15). When He called Moses, he replied: "I'm not a gifted speaker." (Ex.4:10). When He called Jeremiah, he replied: "I'm too young." (Jer.1:6). To each one God said: "… fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Is.41:10).

Of course, if we are to hear these words for ourselves, we must be certain that we are walking in His way, seeking to do His will, and open to His commands. When Paul assured his believing friends in Philippi: "I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me." (4:13), he was not suggesting that he could hold his breath for twenty minutes; run a mile in two minutes; or lift a ten-ton weight with just one hand! He was making the point that anything God told him to do could be done in the strength of the Lord.

So what is God saying to you, today? Perhaps it is simply the call that every disciple hears: "Follow Me"! If you do, you will not be called upon to do so in your own strength. He will be with you, to guide, and encourage, and uphold. You may take Him at His word! Will you do so?!

"Eating" the Word!

In Lewis Carroll's well-known book, "Alice in Wonderland", there is a scene in which Alice shrinks, and then grows. There is a potion that makes her shrink, but it is a cake that makes her grow. So it is eating that causes her growth.

On Sunday, I was preaching on, among other things, the importance of the written Word of God for the growth of both the individual believer, and the local fellowship. However, our attitude to that Word is of paramount importance. The prophet Jeremiah stated that: "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;" (15:16). Ezekiel had a similar experience: "And He said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it; and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey." (3:3).

In both cases the Word of God is viewed as pleasant food for our spiritual lives, satisfying our spiritual hunger and, like Alice's cake, causing us to grow - albeit, not physically! As we meditate upon that living Word, that is "...  sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb.4:12), our craving for spiritual knowledge, divine wisdom, and clear guidance, is fulfilled.

There are those who maintain that, for proper digestion, every mouthful of physical food should be chewed a minimum number of times (the precise number varies, according to who is asked!). The same is true of the Word of God. James M Gray, a former president of the Moody Bible Institute, commented on Jeremiah 15:16 by saying: "There is a great difference between finding the Word, and eating it. ... Putting the Word into your mind is like holding food in your mouth; it allows you to get the first full taste of it. ... Turning a Scripture around and around; thinking of it from many points of view; asking questions about it; and searching for its meaning in a commentary, is like chewing. It makes good assimilation possible."

Dr Gray continued: "The only way to hold the Word in your mind is to memorise it! Make this task as easy for yourself as possible by fixing your attention on ony a small portion at at time. This way, it can be recalled throughout the busy day. You will find that concentrating on the meaning of each word and phrase will give you new strength and joy, and help you to become fruitful for the Lord."

That advice, given 100 years ago, is just as relevant today! One of my very close friends, here in France, has often said that the Church in the West is dying of ignorance - ignorance of the Word. I agree! Many are spiritually weak because they are not 'eating' the Word on a daily basis. We would not expect to live, physically, on one meal per week, provided by another. Why should we expect to be spiritually alive, and in good health, if our only Biblical input is a Sunday sermon?!

May I encourage you, if you are a disciple of Jesus, to ensure that you feed every day. It's the only way to growth!

Power.

It's a stormy end to the year in the East Neuk of Fife, where my wife and I are spending a couple of days with dear friends. Indeed, during a song at the worship service, this morning, all of the lights were suddenly extinguished; the projector cut out; the sound system died; and there was no accompaniment from the keyboard! Yes, the whole village had suffered a power-cut. Even when we returned to our friends' home, there was no electricity - we were glad that they have a wood-burning stove, and a gas cooker!

Power! when it comes to the electrical form thereof we are, it must be admitted, pretty well lost without it. I couldn't have even published this post as, while the battery would have provided adequate power for me to type it up, there was no internet access to enabe me to do anything else.

The written Word of God has a lot to say about power - although not the kind provided by electricity. In a conversation, just a couple of days ago, I was informed that we are all God's children. I had to point out that that is not what the Bible says! In words that were being read in many gatherings of disciples of Jesus just a week ago: "... to all who received Him [Jesus], who believed in His Name, He gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13; emphasis added). In other words, I am not a child of God by nature, but need to experience His power in my life in order that I may be adopted into His family!

In one of the recorded prayers of the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, he utters these words: "Ah Lord God! It is Thou Who hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thy outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for Thee, ... " (Jer 32:17; emphasis added). The God of the Bible is the Creator of all that exists. He is the omnipotent One Who can do anything! (Well, as I pointed out in a post on Feb.3rd, 2008, there are some things that even Almighty God is unable to do! It might be worth your while, as we reach the end of another year, to check out what I posted then!).

Just one more reference. Writing to his son in the faith, the young pastor Timothy, the agèd apostle, Paul, gave these words of advice: "... understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people." (II Tim.3-1-5; emphasis added). Such words are but one of many indications that we are currently living in the end-times. As I look about me I see so much that masquerades as Christianity - but that is totally lacking in any evidence that it is operating in the power of God the Holy Spirit, and bringing glory to the Son.

Power! how important it is. If you want a good Word Study, you could do a lot worse than check out many more of the references to it in God's Word. However, the BIG question is: "Do I know that power of God in my own life?" 

We got by this morning - even if we had to revert to the "low-tech" of hymn books for the final song! I can only speak for myself, but I would not wish to enter 2018 without experiencing something of His power in my life. I trust that all who read this post will be able to say, with Paul, "... I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, ..." (Phil.3:8-10; emphasis added).

Faithful in little things!

Jeremiah is the prophet of the Old Testament who seems to get the worst 'press'!  It is true that his prophetic utterances do contain a fair bit of 'doom and gloom' - he lived for some forty years just before the people of Judah (the southern kingdom) were exiled to Babylon, and his message was, basically, "It's too late to avoid God's discipline, so accept it, and repent"!  Needless to say, such a message didn't find favour, and the prophet even ended up in prison!  However, there are also words of hope in the message and, in the Lamentation (a funeral dirge) of Jeremiah, are found some of the most wonderful words in the Old Testament: "The faithful love of YHWH never ends; His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lam.3:22-23).

Jeremiah also had messages from the Lord for individuals.  One of those was his own 'secretary', a man named Baruch.  It was the pastor and author, F.B.Meyer, who said: "Don't waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunities that may never come; but faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention."  That, by the way, is advice that I certainly need to keep in front of me and that, I suspect, need to be heeded by many - especially disciples of Jesus!  We must learn to be content to work, diligently, where Father God has placed us, remembering that He is more concerned with our faithfulness (read Matt.25:14ff) than with what we might consider to be 'success'!

God's message to Baruch, through Jeremiah, received such a message.  He was a man of noble birth who had been kept busy transcribing that message of doom about Jerusalem.  But he was disappointed because his own dreams and aspirations were being thwarted.   Others were being promoted to more important posts in the royal court, while he was engaged in routine duties!  Perhaps he had expected that he would have been offered some noble position as a reward for his faithful service.  Instead, he was rebuked for not being satisfied with the task that YHWH had entrusted to him.  Through the prophet, YHWH spoke: "Are you seeking great things for yourself?  Don't do it!  I will bring great disaster upon this people, but I will give you your life, wherever you go." (Jer.45:5).

Perhaps that's a message for many of us. Perhaps we need to put down selfish ambition that the Christ may be exalted.  Perhaps we need to take the attitude of one of Jeremiah's prophetic successors, John the Baptiser, who said of the Lord Jesus: "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less!" (Jn.3:30).

Always remember, that it is better to be faithful than to be famous!

A master potter.

Another video clip - but this one doesn't star 'yours truly'!  It takes me back to the days before 24/7, multi-channel, technicolour, television.  When I was a child, and my parents purchased their first television set, we had one channel (we didn't even use the word - it was just 'T.V.'!) that was broadcast only between certain hours of the day, and evening.  However, during the frequent interludes between some programmes, there were a number of film clips broadcast.  These included a great series (I wish I could find it on YouTube!) entitled 'Stranger than fiction' and, strangest of all, a tank of tropical fish - in monochrome (that's black and white!).  However, another favourite was the potter at his wheel.  Quite amazing - as you can see in this clip!



There is, of course, a clear spiritual message. 

"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  'Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear My words.'  So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? says the Lord.  Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.  If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will repent of the evil that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in My sight, not listening to My voice, then I will repent of the good which I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 'Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.' " (Jer.18:1-11).

Those words may be applied to not only the contemporary nations, but to every nation throughout all of time.  It may also be applied to each one of us as an individual.   There are many, today, who need to hear, and heed, those words!

Strangers!

It's been a while since I posted a wee brain-teaser so, for those who enjoy exercising their minds, here is something for you to think about (or, something about which you may wish to think, for the true pedants among us!).

Each of the following groups contains one 'stranger' - someone/something that does not belong in the group.  I wonder how many of them you will detect!   Some are very easy - just to encourage you.  A few are quite difficult - just to test you!  Answers some time next week.

1.   Eagle, Scorpion, Sparrow, Quail, Raven.

2.   Olive, Fig, Frankincense, Pomegranate, Locust.

3.   Romans, Syrians, Hebrews, Galatians, Ephesians.

4.   Athens, Jerusalem, Philippi, Neapolis, Corinth.

5.   Amos, Hosea, Isaac, Isaiah, Jeremiah.

6.   Mark, John, Matthew, Paul, Luke.

7.   The Good Samaritan, The Widow's Mite, The Sower, The Dishonest Steward, The Prodigal Son.

8.   Philistines, Midianites, Syrians, Babylonians, Nazarites, Edomites.

9.   Damascus, Jerusalem, Bethany, Bethlehem, Jericho.

10. Benjamin, Joel, Simeon, Reuben, Dan.

11. Jordan, Sinai, Carmel, Horeb, Zion.

12. Promised Land, Canaan, Egypt, Holy Land, Israel.

13. Finger, Centimetre, Span, Handbreadth, Cubit.

14. Barabbas, Peter, Andrew, Bartholomew, James.

15. Titus, Daniel, Ruth, Samuel, Esther.

16. Saul, David, Jonathan, Solomon.

17. Judges, Kings, Chronicles, Colossians, Proverbs.

18. Luke, Timothy, Silas, Stephen, Barnabas.

Go to it, brainy busy beavers!