Waiting, and watching.

In Dr Luke's account of the Gospel, he records these words of the Lord Jesus: "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them." (Lk.12:37, NKJV). The Greek word "grēgoreuō" (gray-gor-you-o), translated here as "watching", may also be translated as "alert", or "awake". However, The Lord Jesus, in those words already quoted, gives a special commendation to those who not only wait for His return, but also earnestly watch for Him.

Dr Donald Barnhouse, an American Presbyterian minister in the early years of the last century, illustrated the difference between these terms with a story of a Scottish fishing boat that was returning home after many days at sea. As the vessel neared the shore, the crew gazed eagerly towards the dock, where a group of their loved ones had gathered. The skipper looked through his binoculars, and identified some of them. "I see Bill's Mary; and there is Tom's Margaret; and David's Anne." One man became concerned because his wife was not there!. When the catch had been unloaded, and the necessary work on the boat had been completed, he left it with a heavy heart and hurried up the hill to the cottage where he lived. As he opened the door, his wife ran to meet him. "I've been waiting for you!", she said. His soft reply held a gentle rebuke - "Yes, but the other men's wives were watching for them!" 

It is possible to wait for the Lord without exhibiting much watchfulness. Our minds may have many verses from the written Word of God, the Bible, all neatly arranged, that tell of His return. We may even be able to quote them quite glibly. But what a difference it makes when our hearts are eagerly looking for His imminent return - which is much closer now than when Dr Barnhouse told his little story!

We "...must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.” (II Peter 3:3-4).

The hours may seem to pass slowly but, when viewed from the perspective of eternity, which is not "endless time", but "timelessness", but where, in terms of earthly time, "... one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (II Peter 3:8), the Lord's promise: "Surely I am coming soon." (Rev.22:20), becomes clear! Given this proper understanding of His apparent delay - although there are many signs that His taking up of His faithful people to meet Him "in the air" (I Thess. 4:17) .very close! - His words of cheer should keep us on our spiritual tiptoes.

Does the hope of His soon return cause you to wait patiently and watch expectantly - and listen for "...the archangel’s call, and ... the sound of the shofar of God." (I Thess. 4:16)?

God Is Able

The Bible portrays God as omnipotent - all-powerful, able even to create all things from nothing. The writer of the Letter to Hebrew believers states:that: "By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear." (11:3). The individual is portrayed as totally insufficient to do anything but fail. Yet the Bible also teaches that great things will be done in, and through, and to us. How can this be? It is only through God's power and wisdom that anything of substance will be accomplished. He alone is able. Consider the following sampling of tasks He is able to perform for us. 

God is able to do the work of salvation in a believer's heart. "[The Lord Jesus - Who is God]  is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:25). We can entrust that salvation for eternity, Jude writes: ".. to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of His glory with rejoicing," (Jude 24).

 

In this life we will have physical needs, and included in a passage on the obligation we have to give so that others' needs will be met, is Paul's claim that: "God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work." (II Cor. 9:8). Furthermore, He alone is able to equip us for service. "I thank Him Who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because H judged me faithful by appointing me to His service," (I Timothy 1:12).

His able ministry toward us does not stop in this life, for He "will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power which enables Him even to subject all things to Himself." (Phil. 3:21). Indeed, He "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." (Eph 3:20).  

A Time to Die

As an octogenarian, I find myself thinking more about the topic of death than I did when I was, e.g. in my twenties! The current political situation in the UK is also keeping that topic at the forefront of my thinking - with the Leadbeater Bill in Westminster, and the McArthur Bill at Holyrood, each of which is an attempt to introduce so-called assisted dying/suicide to the British population. 

I also find myself thinking of those well-known words from the book of Ecclesiastes: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;" (3:1-2).

 

In the first eight verses of Ecclesiastes 3 there is a remarkable listing of no less than 28 "times" arranged in 14 pairs of opposites. Every timed event is planned by God and has a "purpose" (v. 1), and everything is "beautiful" in God's time for it. (v. 11).

 

Although it is beyond our finite comprehension, it is still bound to be true that the infinite, omnipotent God "accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will," (Ephesians 1:11). Even when, in our time, we may not understand how a particular event can be purposeful or beautiful, we can have faith that if it occurs in God's time for it, it is. As Paul wrote to the early church in the great metropolis of Rome: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28).

 

The time of our birth is, of course, not under our control, but we may actually have a part in determining the occurrence of all the other thirteen "times," even the time of death. With the exception of those still living at the time of Christ's return, each of us will eventually die. God has appointed a time for each individual, but it is wrong for any of us to shorten that time by suicide (even if "assisted", and "legal"), or careless living, which can never be part of His will for any of us.

 

We should be able to say with David: "My times are in Thy hand" (Psalm 31:15), and seek to live in ways pleasing to Him as long as He allows us to live. We should pray that, when our time is finished, He will enable us to die in a manner that will be "beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

 

Not one of us knows when that ordained "time to die" may be for us, so we must seek daily to "Conduct[ing y]ourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time." (Colossians 4:5).

During the online interview that I gave last year on "Death - a Christian perspective" (may be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPEfzYiPfcI&t=124s - please click on the "Like" icon!), I mentioned a booklet by a minister friend, long since gone to be with the Lord, entitled "Death with a steady eye". The basic premise of the booklet was that the disciple of Jesus, when faced with physical death, does not fear it. We do not necessarily embrace it, but we are ready to accept it. Why? Because we serve the One Who has defeated death and, as He was raised from the tomb, so those who have placed their trust will also rise to eternity in His gracious presence.

Paul writes: "... we speak, knowing that He Who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence." (II Cor.4:13-14).

That is the great hope, and assurance, of the disciple of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Signs in the heavens, Pt 3.

Isn't it funny (strange, not humorous!) the way things sometimes work out. If I hadn't left my laptop and "banana pouch" behind on that Monday morning, I would have been in my bed, fast asleep, at the time of the storms that I witnessed by having had to return to the home of my hosts, and then start my journey to my own home all over again! And, of course, if I hadn't witnessed the storm, I would have been unlikely to write three posts about the Rapture! "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;" as the 18th century hymn writer, William Cowper claims!

Anyway, we have considered that, at the Rapture, there is a departure that disciples of Jesus will make; there is a destination we will have; and, in this post, I want to share that there is a delight that we shall know. 

“… we, who are still living on the earth, will be swept up … into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And, after that, we will be with Him for ever.” (I Thess.4:17; J.B.Phillips).

Each of us, I am sure, knows the joy of being in the presence of a loved one.  It may be a husband, or a wife; it may be a father, or a mother; it may be a brother, or a sister.  It may well be that it is “just” a friend – someone who is as close to us as our dearest relatives.  For me, that person is my wife.  And words alone cannot express my feelings when I am with her – which is, I would contend, exactly as it should be!  Sometimes, I think to myself: “Well, if I experience such an intense happiness when I am with my wife, what’s it going to be like when I am “with the Lord” which, Paul assures us, “is far better” (Phil.1:23)”?!   And I find that I can’t even begin to comprehend the intensity of that delight!  “The principal happiness of heaven”, writes Matthew Henry, “is this: “to be with the Lord”, to see Him, live with Him, and enjoy Him for ever”. (Commentary, I Thess., in loc). 

But, as we think of the intensity with which we will behold Him, we must also rejoice in the eternity for which we will be with Him.  “we shall be with Him – for ever.”  Not only do we have an intense delight in being with a loved one; we also, usually, hate to have to tear ourselves away, to be parted from, that loved one.  We might even go as far as to say that we dread the very thought of separation – and, indeed, is not separation the main factor behind our natural grief on the physical death of one to whom we were at all close?!  But this situation won’t arise for the believer, when the Christ calls us to Himself.  Because we are to be with Him for “the eternity of eternities”.

Our feeble, finite, minds cannot even begin to grasp the vastness of eternity (but it's dealt with, certainly to some extent, in my book "Great Words of the Faith"!).  Even “for ever” is too much for us.  Yet this is the way it will be with Jesus.  We will never be separated from Him, if we truly belong to Him, and He to us.

And that is so important! You see, although it’s exciting to think of the Rapture of the Church - to think of the departure we shall make – the certainty of it, and the suddenness of it; to think of the destination we shall have – the Person we will meet, and the perfection we will gain; to think of the delight that we shall know – in the intensity with which we will behold Him, and the eternity for which we will be with Him. But if you are not "in Christ Jesus" and He is not in you, then that Rapture will only serve to show you that you have missed an amazing opportunity - and that you have only yourself to blame! I happen to believe that there will be those who will be saved during the period following the Rapture, but they will suffer terribly! 

John records: "Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night within His temple; and He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev.7:13-17; emphasis added).

Those who are saved during that time will have suffered - perhaps more than any others before them. so may each of us be ready for that trumpet-sound (I Cor.15:52), that we might avoid such persecution, and that ours might be that departure; that destination; that delight.

The King's Highway.

It is late afternoon, and I am typing this post at a campsite, in the area of Lagos, in the Algarve, Portugal. Yes, my wife and I are having a wee break before returning to Gardonne, then to Scotland, and back to Gardonne to prepare to put our house there "on the market", in preparation for a permanent return to Scotland.

Portugal is a beautiful country, and we are sorry that this will be, almost certainly, our final visit. This time we made much more use of the toll roads and were amazed at the number of miles/kilometres of road that are built well above 'ground level'. One particular stretch went on for many miles/kms and, as we drove along, I remarked that: "This really is a "highway"!"

That throwaway comment caused me to think of a song, from my early life, that was entitled "The King's Highway". It is, I believe, an Afro-American song - and the YouTube search would support that belief! The words are:

Refrain:

It’s a highway to heaven.  None can walk up there, but the pure in heart.

It’s a highway to heaven. I am walking up the king’s highway.

1. If you’re not walking, start while I’m talking. Walking up the King’s highway.
There’s joy in knowing with Him I’m going. Walking up the King’s highway.

2. My way gets brighter; my load gets lighter. Walking up the King’s highway.
If you be confessing, there is a blessing. Walking up the King’s highway.

(Christ walks beside me; His love to guide me. Walking up the King’s highway.)

Music and Lyrics by Mary Gardner and Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey

So what is "the King's Highway"? Well, in the U.K. it is the public highway, on which anyone may walk because it is under the control, and in the ownership, of the king! I found myself thinking: "Is my life showing that I am walking up the King’s highway - that of the King of kings? Am I living under His control? Is it clear to others that I belong to Him?" That should certainly be my constant aim! Paul doesn't mince his words when, writing to the believers in Rome, he states that: "Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him." (Rom 8:9; emphasis added). If God the Holy Spirit is not seen working in my life, evidencing that He inhabits my life, then I do not belong to the Saviour!

I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that walking up the king’s highway means living my life in accordance with His Word, and His will, and doing so by the power of God the Holy Spirit Who dwells within me. 

But, of course, any highway will lead to somewhere! We drove along those Portuguese highways in order to arrive at Lagos. When we return, DV, next week, we will follow highways through Portugal, Spain, and France - in order to arrive at the destination of our current home. So what about "the King's highway"? Well, the ultimate destination for the disciple of Jesus, the Christ, is the eternal home that has been prepared for us. But, just as, on the way back to Gardonne, we will pass through multiple places so, on the journey of life, we pass through many situations and circumstances. This is why seeking the Lord's guidance is so important. Mind you, I know from my own experience, that it is not always easy to receive, and understand, that guidance. When we travel to somewhere that we haven't previously visited, we make use of our SatNav (GPS). Regretfully, I have been known to miss the turning, or the roundabout exit, that I should have taken. Sometimes, it takes quite a detour to get me "back on track"!

All too often, in the past, I have taken a wrong turning; made a wrong decision; taken the wrong road! Yet, in His amazing mercy, and love, and grace, my heavenly Father has brought me back to His pathway - His highway - for my life. 

As we are still at the beginning of this year, it seems not inappropriate to quote those words used by George VI, the father of the late Queen Elizabeth, in his Christmas broadcast of 1939:

"I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, ‘Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.’" (Minnie Haskins).

Yes, if we are walking in the King's highway, we are on the safest road for life - and the only road that leads to the destination of eternity* in His sweet presence. May you be walking that highway - for your good, and to His glory.

* This is one of the "Great Words of the Faith" with which I deal in my first book - link above!

Before my recent absence, I was able to add YouTube clips to my blog posts! There appear to be some changes that now deny me that opportunity. However, if you wish to hear a lively performance of "The Highway to Heaven", by the late, irrepressible, Jessy Dixon, and the Gaither Homecoming Friends, then this is the URL - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xi6oQyJ_ik

Putin - and Jesus!

It was, of course, my intention to post, this evening, the second part of a mini-series on the question "What is a Christian?" However, the invasion of Ukraine, by Russian military forces on the order of Vladimir Putin, has led me to shelve that post for, at least, a week, and comment on the current situation. 

I make no claim to be either a political, or a military, expert so what follows is merely the thinking of a fairly ordinary man - but one who is not altogether lacking in the ability to discuss such matters. I must also make clear that I am not "on the ground" and, like the vast majority of us, depend on receiving information that is, in terms of historical research, "Secondary Sources".

It was in the early hours of Thursday that Russian president Putin announced, in a pre-recorded television broadcast, that he had ordered Russian troops to enter Ukraine. Since then, the Russian forces appear to have had what may be referred to as "mixed fortunes"! Certainly, they have not swept through Ukraine in the manner in which Putin may have envisaged! The Ukrainian military, supported by patriotic Ukrainians, have repeatedly stemmed the flow. There have even been some 'amusing' incidents as when a column of Russian tanks stop at the side of the road.  A video was widely shared in which a Ukrainian gentleman stopped to ask them what was wrong. He was informed that they had run out of fuel! His immediate response was: "I'll give you a tow back to Russia!" It's always good to be able to exercise a sense of humour!

It is also reported that Russian soldiers are laying down their weapons; that Russian citizens are deserting their country in order to avoid conscription; and that many of the Russian élite are not giving the president their support.

However, what prompted this post was the 'ticker-tape' message on the television screen in the home of friends that my wife and I were visiting on Friday. I cannot recall the text, verbatim, (it was in French!) but it was along the lines of Putin encouraging Ukrainians to overthrow their own government. I turned to my friend and commented: "What a great example! He sits in safety in Moscow, while sending his own troops to potential death, and urging the Ukrainian people to lay their own lives on the line by seeking to bring down their own elected government!" That, was when I thought of Jesus!

What a difference between them. Putin sits in safety, and comfort, and urges others to do his bidding in a move that is only made in order to seek to increase his own power and influence, and to 'make a name' for himself. Whatever we may think of such attempts in much earlier times, at least the leaders of countries tended to actually lead their armies. They were there, at the front, in the thick of the fighting, risking their own lives as much as they expected others to risk theirs.   

And what about Jesus? He dwelt in Glory - in a realm that is beyond the comprehension of our human, mortal, finite, minds. Glory is inestimably further above even the riches of the Kremlin, as the most sophisticated computer known to mankind is greater than a simple abacus! It is a realm in which sin does not, and could not, exist. It is a realm in which He knew true and pure worship that is far beyond what any of us is able to offer to Him. Yet He took upon Himself the very human flesh that He had created, and entered this sinful realm in the weakness and vulnerability of a human infant.

He knew infinite power, and glory, and wisdom, and knowledge. As, Himself, God, He was able to share, fully and intimately, with the Father. Yet He " « ... did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. » (Phil.2:6-8).

He became sin for us! Paul writes to the disciples of Jesus in Corinth: « For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. » (II Cor.5:21). Have you ever given serious thought to what those inspired words are actually saying? They are saying that, not only did the Lord Jesus pay the penalty for your sin and mine as He hung on that Cross, but that He actually, for a brief moment of human time, became the very personification of sin - its ugliness, its blackness, its evil, its vileness, its - well, even as one who has a fairly good command of the English language, and a reasonably extensive vocabulary, I cannot think of words that would adequately describe what I want to describe. But I know this - that He became all of that for me; and for you! Indeed, I believe that it was then that Jesus uttered what we refer to as «the cry of dereliction» - « My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? » (Matt.27:46; Mk.15:34) - because, for that moment, the Father, Who cannot look upon sin, turned His eyes (we speak anthropomorphically!) away from the only-begotten Son.

Putin; Jesus. "Quelle différence" as my French-speaking friends might say! I commend one of them to you - and it is not Vladimir Putin! May you discover, if you have not already done so, that Jesus is the only One Who is fully worthy to be followed; and the only One Who will be with you at all times, and even into eternity. 

Promoted to Glory.

At the end of last week, my wife and I received the news of the death, in Scotland, of a very dear friend of more than 30 years. Sadly, we were unable to travel back to attend the funeral service. We are so glad that we were able to attend the wedding of our friend Peter, to his second wife, Kate - both of them having been widowed, but having known one another before either of them were first married!

Although current restrictions meant that, in order to broadcast the service, it had to take place in the Chapel of Rest, in the Border town of Dumfries, Peter and Kate worshipped with the Salvation Army. I love the way in which the Salvation Army refers to the death of a disciple of Jesus. The person has not "passed away", or "been lost", or started "kicking up the daisies", or any other euphemism! No! When a disciple of Jesus in the Salvation Army dies, that person is "Promoted to Glory"!

Promotion, in any area of life, is seen as a very good thing. Many spend their lives seeking it - in work, in organisations, in many other fields of existence. However, I have not a shadow of doubt that the greatest promotion that anyone can experience is to be "Promoted to Glory". So what does the expression mean?

Well, "glory" refers to heaven - the "dwelling-place" of Almighty God. The eternal spirit of the  disciple of Jesus, at the moment of physical death, leaves the mortal body that had been its dwelling-place for the earthly life of the individual, and goes directly to be "with the Lord". Paul writes: "So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (II Cor 5:6-8; emphasis added). The Lord Jesus, Himself, assured one of those who was being crucified alongside Him, but who had recognised that this Man was no common criminal, that "Truly, ..., today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43; emphasis added).

Now that, of course, is not the full story! Thinking along such lines was the problem for the early believers in Thessalonica, that led Paul to provide this assurance: "But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." (I Thess 4:13-17; emphasis added).

What Paul is emphasising is that, until the Rapture*, it is the spirit of the disciple of Jesus whose earthly sojourn has come to an end, that goes to be "in Paradise" - the mortal remains are dealt with in an appropriate manner. Then, at the Rapture, those 'dead' bodies will be resurrected and instantly changed into 'resurrection' bodies (see I Cor.15:52), that shall never decay and, as they rise to meet the Lord Jesus "in the air", those disciples of Jesus who are alive at that moment, will be caught up with them, and all of His people will be with Him throughout eternity*.

Of course, as my repeated reference to "disciples of Jesus", and equivalent terms, will have emphasised, the written Word of God, the Bible, makes clear that all of this is only true for those who are "in Christ" and who have the Christ "in them". If you are not in that position, or if you have some doubts, then I would encourage you to read the previous four posts. I do not believe that it is 'coincidence' that I am composing this post immediately after them!

As always, if I may be of further assistance, at a more personal level, please feel free to contact me at the e-mail address above.

*These words are dealt with, more fully, in my first book - Great Words of the Faith. Please remember that I urge folk to purchase any of my books, not for personal gain, as ALL royalties are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church, but because I believe that they will be found to be helpful to those who are seeking, and also to those who have found!

Death.

Some weeks ago, I conducted the funeral service for an English friend who had lived in the neighbouring department of Lot & Garonne, and who had died after a battle with cancer. He was a disciple of Jesus, and that simple fact made it so much easier to deal with the situation, as I was able to easily bring the Gospel message into the service - to the great pleasure of his widow! 

However, I do wish that I had received the following before that funeral. I would have quoted it, verbatim, as I now share it in print. 

« Blessed are the dead. 

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev.14:13).

This promise applies specifically to those recent believers who will suffer martyrdom during the last half of the awful tribulation period (“henceforth,” in context). But dealing as it does with the state of the believing dead, in principle, it surely likewise applies to all who die “in the Lord.”

How are they blessed? In numerous ways, according to this verse.

First, they are blessed in that they “rest from their labours.” In this life we earn our physical sustenance by “the sweat of [our] face” (Genesis 3:19). Here we must work hard to train our minds (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Now we constantly battle our inward, fallen nature: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Even as we attempt to serve our fellow man, our efforts are spurned and rejected. Not so for the dead! There all these labours will cease, and joyous, eternal service to the Lamb will commence (Revelation 22:3).

Secondly, they are blessed in that their labours continue to bear fruit even after they have gone. Perhaps even a previous word, or act of testimony, will be the eventual tool God uses to bring someone to Himself, and the reward will be properly distributed. No act done to the glory of God will pass unnoticed.

 

Thirdly, what a blessing to know that this state is promised by the very Spirit of God Himself. One’s worth at death is not measured by the content and sincerity of the opinions of friends at his funeral.

This doctrine should produce both great courage for the Christian and great comfort for the bereaved. »

Having prepared the above earlier in the week, I also received, today, notification of the death, in Scotland, of the father of David Robertson – whom I often quote, and who currently lives in Australia, so was unable to visit his dying father, and will be unable to attend the funeral service. I had known my English friend for about 8 years; Mr Robertson, Sen. I never met. However, I would like to think that my children could speak/write of me as David described his dad: “He was a humble, hardworking, faithful man who struggled with assurance, self-doubt and yet never let that get in the way of serving the Lord he loved, looking after his family, and earning the respect of all through hard graft, generosity, and dutiful service.  He was a good dad to me.”

Another comment by David reminded me of a man who had a profound influence on my young Christian life – Billy Grant. He died from cancer of the bowel many years ago, while still a relatively young man. I was able to visit him at home shortly before he died. Before leaving, I prayed with him, and his wife Sally (whose funeral service takes place tomorrow – is all of this “coincidence?!). I was thanked by them both for not having prayed that Billy would be necessarily healed, but that he would know the deep peace of Father God whatever happened in the following weeks. David writes, concerning his wife: “Annabel (who is such a strength to me in these times), prayed last Lord’s Day asking that my dad would know peace as he passed through death into the New Life.” I think, too, of a brother in the Lord who was a member of a Baptist Fellowship to which I belonged at the time. He, too, had terminal cancer. One day, while praying for him during my personal devotions, I sensed that I should visit him, and anoint him with oil, in the name of the Lord Jesus. I did so and, although he died shortly afterwards, his widow assured me that his final days were unexpectedly peaceful.

This morning, I was preaching on the topic of being “in Christ”. Those who are need not fear physical death. They will know His peace, and will be welcomed into His presence, to dwell with Him throughout eternity. The world can offer nothing like that!

Why would anyone want to be saved?

If you and I were standing outside a burning house, with people at windows, screaming for help, that question in the title would seem to be very stupid, and insensitive. If no-one helps them, those people are going to die - and not very easily. Likewise, if we were out on the ocean, and saw a ship that was sinking, we would not ask such a crass question about those on deck shouting for help.

We understand the necessity of help when we are in physical trouble. Most people, in life-threatening situations, wish to be saved. It is natural, and normal.

Salvation may be said to be at the centre of the Christian Gospel. That word "Gospel" means "Good News" - and if one is in a potentially fatal situation, than being saved is, surely, "Good News". Yet it is often the case that the Good News of the Gospel message is portrayed as "Come to Jesus, and all will be well!" "Come to Jesus, and your life will improve dramatically!" "Come to Jesus, and send a cash sum to this particular ministry, and watch your bank balance grow!"

In other words, this "version" of the Gospel message is all about "me"; what I can get out of it; how it may benefit me, in material terms, here and now"!

But what does the Bible teach? It teaches, first of all, that you and I are sinners. Because of that, we are separated from the One Who created us. That means that we are destined for eternal death - not just the physical death that is the lot of every mortal being, but an eternal separation from Him. Did you realise that you will live for eternity*? The only question concerns where you will spend that timeless existence!

The next point that must be made is that no-one is able to "earn" salvation by good works. Even if I could spend the rest of my natural life in a totally sinless condition, I could never make up for the sins that I have already committed. And even if I had only ever committed one sin (fat chance!), I still cannot make up for even that one! I am in a bad place!

However, the Good News is that Father God loves me, and you, so much that He has provided the means by which I may escape the punishment that is due to me. In the Persona* (not a typo!) of the Son, He came into this sinful world; lived a life in which He was tempted in the same ways that we are - yet without ever yielding to those temptations; grew up in a working-class family; became a peripatetic rabbi, teaching, and healing, and encouraging; was arrested by the religious leaders of His Jewish people (the ordinary folk, heard Him gladly!); underwent a number of mockeries of trials; and was crucified by the Roman authorities. He became, the perfect sacrifice for your sin and for mine. Paul writes: "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). His sacrificial death was, and is, sufficient to deal with your sin, and with mine!

Of course, if I see a beggar sitting on the pavement, and I offer him some cash, that offer is of absolutely no use to him if he does not stretch out his own hand and take it! So the offer of salvation must be accepted if it is to become real in my life. But when I do accept it, by faith, then I am assured of my eternal salvation. There is a place in the new heaven, and the new earth - for me! Not because of anything that I have done, or can do, but all because of what He has already done.

That, I would suggest, is why anyone would wish to be saved. Because the wonder of that new, eternal, life is beyond anything that you or I can even begin to imagine! 

So the real question is not "Why would anyone want to be saved?", but "Why would anyone not want to be saved?" Father God does not force any of us into submission- He invites us to salvation. What is your response going to be? The writer of the letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus asks the unanswerable question: "... how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3). There is no escape! The decision must be made - and made now!

*Each of these words is dealt with in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith". Links to it, and the other two currently available, are at the top of the page. Remember, I receive no financial benefit from sales. ALL royalties are sent directly to Release International, in support of the Persecuted Church.

Some things never change!

Last week I celebrated yet another anniversary of the day of my physical birth (my spiritual rebirth was some 15 years later!). This week, my wife celebrates another anniversary of her physical birth. Tempus fugit (Time flies, for those who missed out on a Classical education!!). 

Last year, we celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary and, in our annual newsletter, I posted two photographs - one taken on Sept. 4th, 1970 (our wedding day!), and the other taken on Sept. 4th, 2020. I have to confess that each of has changed, quite considerably, during the intervening period! Every year; every month; every day; reminds us of the passing of time, and the changes it brings, be they major, or minor. We are changing; the world is changing (and, for many of us, the past ten months, or so, have seen some of the biggest changes that we have ever known); experiences are changing; our lifestyles are changing; the future is unknown! 

I can only speak for myself, but I can hardly believe that we are already more than half-way through the second month of 2021! Of course, like the New Year itself, it is only a mark in time; in the continuous journey of planet Earth around the Sun. Yet time is important to us. 

However, some things never change! Speaking through His prophet, Malachi, and using His Covenant Name, the Almighty Creator of all that is states: "... I, YHWH do not change;" ( 3:6). Writing to the early Jewish disciples of Jesus - Who, of course, is the incarnation of the Father - the anonymous author of the Letter to the Hebrews makes this astounding claim: "Jesus, the Christ - the same yesterday, today, and for ever." (13:8). Those words point us to:

The Unchanging Christ. What He was 2,000 years ago, when He walked this earth, He is today in the timelessness of Glory, and He will be throughout eternity. His atoning sacrifice remains effective for all who come to Him in repentance and faith. He opened the way into the presence of the Father, that even a sinner such as I may enter, and be received by Him - not because of anything that I might seek to claim, but purely because of His love, and grace, and mercy. I am forgiven as much as any of those who are "justified by faith" - in other words, because I have responded, positively, to the offer of salvation that was made at Calvary, the Father treats me "just as if I'd" never sinned at all. My sin is not only forgiven, but also forgotten! Hallelujah! Glory to God!

The Gospel message is the same. His covenant love never changes. His grace remains all-sufficient. His promises continue to be true. He is faithful in times of sorrow and distress, as well as in times of joy and laughter. His Word is the same. His presence, through the third Persona (not a typo! See the chapter on "The Trinity" in my first book - details above!) of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit, is the same.

But there is also: 

An unchanging commitment. For the disciple of Jesus, that commitment is to worship God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is to proclaim the Gospel - the Good News that I have described, briefly above. It is a commitment to serve Him as He commands. It is a commitment to live my life in such a way that I am a good witness for Him. In His final words to His disciples, before He ascended to the Father, the Lord Jesus said: "... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8). Please note, that this is not a call to every disciple to be an evangelist; but a command to every disciple to be a witness. There is a big difference but, if you are a disciple of Jesus, then you are (as I am!) a witness. The only question is "Am I a good witness, or a bad witness?" If, like me, you must confess to not being the best you might be, then you may turn to God the Holy Spirit, and seek His sanctifying work in your life.

Then, of course, there is:

An unchanging commission. That commission is recorded for us by Matthew, in his account of the Gospel record. "And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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 28:18-20).

Now, "... all the world ..." does not exclude your own family; your next-door-neighbour; your friends; your work colleagues; etc. This Great Commission ties in with the commitment to be His witnesses - everywhere, and anywhere.

There are many - myself included - who believe, firmly, that we are in the very last days prior to the Rapture of the true saints of God (there is also a chapter on that subject in the book referred to above. Remember, ALL royalties are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church). That being the case, there should be an urgency in the church. Those who are disciples of Jesus should be earnest in prayer; eager to serve; excited in their (our!) witnessing.

I would claim that, in order to do so, we must stay close to the Saviour, that He may be close to us. Henry Francis Lyte wrote the words of one of the best-known Christian songs: "Abide with me." In the second verse are these words - 
"Change and decay in all around I see:                                                                                                        O Thou Who changest not, abide with me."

May all who read these words know His unchanging presence at all times. It will be for your good, and will bring glory and honour to His Name.

Death - the final frontier!

As I have mentioned before, I am an avid reader, and enjoy reading not only my Bible, and various theological books, but also a good novel. I especially enjoy a good detective story - trying to figure out  the identity of the perpetrator of the crime involved (usually a murder!). Often, I fail miserably, and it is only in the final chapter that the criminal is exposed! Some of the novels I have read have been real 'cliffhangers', and it has been almost the last page before I discover "whodunnit"!! However, there is one cliffhanger that none of us will ever resolve until we experience it for ourselves - what happens after physical death?

Anyone who has watched, in sadness, as someone close to them has died may wonder about their new existence (if they believe that there is "anything" after physical death, in the first place!). Our hearts may ache to know what they are doing, or where they are. Some appear to have the idea that the after-life is just a continuation of this one. How often have I read, on the pages of Facebook, "birthday anniversary" wishes being sent to someone who died, perhaps many years ago? I even read one 'tribute' (and I have no doubt that that was what was intended) to a mother who had died. I can't recall the exact wording, but the wish was expressed that, now that she and the father who had died many years previously, were able to celebrate their wedding anniversary together, the father would be treating the mother to a nice meal in an Italian restaurant "up there"!

That, I would respectfully suggest, is simply wishful thinking. The Bible clearly teaches that if a person had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, the Christ, then that person's spirit is with Him, awaiting that call, and sound of the shofar, to which I referred in the previous post. Awaiting the resurrection if the body as it is instantly transformed into the new body that will be theirs throughout eternity. 

So we do have some clues regarding those who have died, in Jesus. We know that they are enjoying God's presence. Paul, inspired by God the Holy Spirit, writes these words to the early disciples of Jesus in Corinth: "We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (II Cor 5:8; emphasis added).  We also know that they are recognisable, and conscious of their surroundings - just like the rich man and Lazarus the beggar, of whom the Lord Jesus spoke (Luke 16:19-31). We also know that they haven't yet received that perfect body that will be theirs at the Rapture, as stated above.    

There is more that we may know - but that refers to after the Rapture; the seven years of the Tribulation; and the Second Advent when the Lord Jesus will vanquish His enemies. That is yet another topic for another post!  The only other truth that I would share just now is that Father God, in His matchless love and power, has a glorious reunion planned. Then, our eternal rejoicing will truly begin. The last page of the mystery has a very happy ending - if you are in Jesus! If not ... !!!

This is why I so often end a post by urging you to, if you have not already done so, turn to the Lord Jesus, confessing your sinfulness, and your sins; accepting the forgiveness that He gained for you at Calvary; and handing over the reins of your life to Him. It's something I did more than 60 years ago and, although I have let Him down more often than I care to remember, He has never let me down. He won't let you down, either!

"Good" Friday?!

It’s Good Friday”! It’s the day on which millions recall, specifically, the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, at the hand of the Roman occupiers, and at the instigation of the Jewish hierarchy. Crucifixion – one of the cruellest forms of executing the death penalty. Yet we refer to this as “Good” Friday! Why?

These are difficult and troubled times in which we live. Social isolation means that many families are unable to meet together as they normally would at this time of Passover (for Jews) and Resurrection (for disciples of Jesus). But the times 2,000 years ago were also troubled.  If you have access to a Bible, or even just a New Testament (and, if you are reading this online, then you have access to both!), please turn to John 19, and read the first thirty verses.

Most of us like stories that end with “… and they lived happily ever after.”! I finished a novel yesterday. I won't share the full story but, at the end, a young detective was fatally wounded. The woman he had been helping visits his grave:

"You were a good man," she said, " and it wasn't supposed to happen like this. But how often do things turn out like they should, you know? Happy endings aren't always happy for everyone. I think about you a lot. I wonder about what you'd be doing, where you'd be right now. You're here because of me, and - I haven't figured out how to deal with that yet, but I'll keep coming back until I do, I promise. Maybe after that, too. See you next week, okay?" (Sara's Game; Ernie Lindsey).

"Happy endings aren't always happy for everyone."

From a human perspective, that Shabbat eve certainly didn't end well for Jesus - or for His disciples. I was speaking with a friend in Germany only a half-hour ago. Referring to the Covid-19 situation he asked, "Did you ever think that something like this could happen?" The same question could have been asked of the disciples and, in spite of all the hints, suggestions, and clear teaching that the Lord Jesus had given them, things had not turned out as they had expected. Who would have thought? Who would have imagined? But it happened. On that Friday, which seemed to be anything but 'good', those who were there could have cried out: "We live in troubled times!" And they would have been correct! They lived in troubled times - as do we at this season of Pâques. 

However, it is a sad fact of life that bad things happen to good people! remember that occasion on which "There were some present at that very time who told [Jesus] of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:1-5). Bad things happen to good people!

We, too, live in troubled times, and it's not just because of the Covid-19 virus. It's because we live in a twisted, and broken world. "We know," writes Paul, "that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now;" (Rom 8:22). It's because sin entered the perfect world that Father God had created - and bad things happen to good people: perhaps more often than we want to admit!

Those who stood at the cross almost 2,000 years ago saw nothing "good" about what was happening. But they did not have the advantage that you and I have of being able to look from what was, to them, the future. We know that the "good" of Good Friday is the good that we may gain from it. We know how the story unfolds. We know that Sunday was coming - and the story would be different. We know that it was all in the plan and purpose of Father God Who loves us so much that, in the Persona of the Lord Jesus, He paid the penalty for your sins and for mine. "For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor 5:21). Ponder those words. The spotless, sinless, perfect Son not only "... bore our sins in His body on the tree," (I Peter 2:24). He actually became sin. He became sin in all of its vileness; its blackness; its depravity; its wickedness; its evil; its degradation. I believe that it was at that moment in time, that in eternity, the Father Who cannot even look upon sin, turned away from the dearly-beloved Son - and that Son cried out, in agony of spirit, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me ?" (Matt 27:46).

He paid a debt He did not owe; because you, and I, owed a debt we could not pay. And that is the GOOD News about this day.

Of course, that leaves us, each one, with a choice. The inestimable gift of the Lord Jesus is available to all - but we must accept it. Father God does not force salvation upon any individual. We must each come to Him, in faith, by His grace, trusting Him with our lives, for all of the time that we have left in this mortal life.

Have you done that? If not, why not? Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring - the Covid-19 virus has made that fact abundantly clear! But those who are "... in Christ Jesus." (Rom.8:1) need not fear. We don't know what the future holds - but we know the One Who holds the future in His hand. I commend you to His love and care.

Home! Home at last!

Yesterday morning, we (my wife and I) left our overnight lodging in Dover, and headed for the Ferry Port. Our first stop was the French Passport Control. Our explanation of why we had been in the UK; our passports; and, most importantly, my French driving licence; had us waved through. UK Passport Control also waved us through. The young lady at the P&O Ferries' Check-in put us on to the ferry that left an hour and a half before the one for which we had booked. The ferry was almost devoid of passengers. The crossing was uneventful. All was well!

Or so we thought! We had already booked in a (budget!) hotel in Dreux for one night, in order to break up the journey. However, when we arrived, we discovered that the hotel was closed due to the restrictions that had been put in place by the French Government. We looked around, but were unable to find any alternative. Driving on to Chartres, we were stopped by the Gendarmerie! Thankfully, we had been warned about the need for a Certificate of Attestation, and so I had hand-written one! We also had retained our ferry-crossing documents, and all was accepted. Mind you, as we were about to drive off again, there was a knocking on the window. I lowered the glass, to be asked about the large, helium-filled, balloon in the back of the car! I guess it was, indeed, unusual, but when I explained that we had been enjoying a belated celebration of a special birthday anniversary for my wife, and that the balloon came from that, the two young gendarmes laughed, and waved us on! We then discovered that Chartres, too, was without any available hotels. Having wasted a lot of time in searching, we decided to drive straight home - a distance of some 560 kms (350 miles). We had purchased a couple of salads to eat in the hotel, so we stopped for a half-hour to have "dinner". Then, about midnight, we were able to park in an "Aire de repos", and sleep for about an hour and a half. We arrived home at 0530 - and went straight to bed. We awoke about 1030, but didn't arise immediately! 

So, it was really good to be home - even if we are forbidden to visit for purely social reasons. However, as I lay in bed this morning, my mind running through the journey home, I found myself thinking of a much longer journey - the journey of life. It's a journey that may be long or short. It's a journey that some don't even have the opportunity to commence. It's a journey that is filled with a multitude of different experiences - some enjoyable; others less so.

And it's a journey that, sooner or later, comes to an end! We refer to that end as "death", and it is the lot of each and every one of us. Our financial worth is not sufficient to avoid it (although a very rich person may be able to postpone it for a time!). Our position in society is not sufficient to avoid it (a dictator, monarch, or president will die just as surely as the poorest, and least socially important, person). 'Religious' people die as readily as those who are totally agnostic (I omit "atheists" because there is no such person as a true atheist - or, at least, who is not also arrogantly ignorant!). Children die as well as adults - and I have just received the very sad news that a former pupil who had recently announced that the child she was carrying had been diagnosed with Downs' Syndrome (but that, to her - and her partner's - great credit, she was determined to keep, and care for) has died in the womb. Death is no respecter of persons.

Yet, for some of us, death will come as a welcome experience! Perhaps not the actual experience of dying - that is, for some, incredibly painful - but the "end result"! That is because we believe firmly that physical death is not the end. There is, indeed, life after death! The only variable is "what kind of life will you have?"

For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, the future is secure. We have the promise in His Word that, our physical deaths are not the end, but that our spirits (the real "us") will go to be with Him (II Cor.5:8). Not only that, but He has assured us that He is already preparing a place for us! (Jn.14:2). And all of this is not just for a specified time, but for eternity (read about that in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith". ALL royalties go directly to Release International in support of the persecuted church).

When that happens, although there is much to take place after it (and, of course, if the Rapture takes place during my physical lifetime, then I shall not experience physical death! Read more of this in the relevant chapter in "Great Words"!), I shall be home! It is something to which, every passing day, I look forward with great anticipation. I shall, after the return of the Lord Jesus, and His vanquishing of all evil, spend eternity in His presence on the new earth that He has ready for me!

Then shall I be able to say, with great joy, "Home! I'm home at last!" Hallelujah! Will you be there with me? Will you?! If you are unsure, please feel free to contact me using the e-mail address above. It is not my primary e-mail address, so it isn't checked every day - but as soon as I read your e-mail, I shall respond. 

Making up!

It may surprise some folk, but not all of my reading is Biblical or theological. Indeed, I enjoy a good novel as much as anyone and, with a Kindle, I can now read almost anywhere! Last week I read a series of books from one of my favourite genres: Science Fiction. Like most such books, there was much more of the "fiction" than there was of the "science". However, as long as one takes everything with the proverbial "pinch of salt", there should be no harm done.

My reason for mentioning all of that is that the story I read last week actually started me thinking along theological lines! Without trying to provide a synopsis of a four-volume tale, there was one woman, named Deirdre, who had been responsible for a terrible catastrophe that had struck mankind. She was now experiencing great guilt, and was seeking some way by which she might make up to the survivors for what she had done. In theological terms, she was seeking atonement. Sadly, she was unable to do so. Nothing was sufficient to enable her to make up for, to atone for, her terrible deed.

The English-language word "atonement" provides its own definition: "at-one-ment"! Atonement refers to the 'coming together' of God and man. Our sin has created a barrier between us and our loving Creator. Atonement has to do with the breaking down of that barrier. It has to do with reconciliation. So Paul writes that the Father “… through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (II Cor.5:18-19).

At the beginning, of course, there was a close relationship between Father God and the humans He had created - so much so that He walked with them in the beautiful garden in which He had placed this first couple. However, as we read in Gen.3, the serpent deceived the humans, and sin entered the fresh, new world. The close relationship between the Creator and the crown of His creation, was broken - and there was nothing that man could do about it.

In his latest book (A.S.K.) David Robertson writes: "When we do something wrong against a friend or someone in our family, I guess we can make up for it – we can atone for it. I once kicked a ball through a window – and I atoned for it by paying for the glass to be replaced. But when we sin against a pure and holy God, it’s not just a small matter…and it's nothing we can atone for." (ch.17: Forgiveness)

Praise God, He could do something - and He did! He established a ritual of animal sacrifice as "... without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Heb.9:22). You may read all about that in the book of Leviticus. That system led, in time, to a unique sacrifice by which full restoration might be accomplished.  It was in the death of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, that atonement was fully realised.  It was as He gave Himself, willingly, in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies, that reconciliation was made.

One of the old hymns that I love begins: "Not all the blood of beasts, on Jewish altars slain, could give the guilty conscience peace, or wash away one stain. But Christ, the heavenly Lamb, took all our sins away; a sacrifice of nobler name and richer blood than they." (Isaac Watts). As I type these words I am listening to a more modern song that proclaims the wonderful truth that "My sins, they are many; His mercy is more."!

Like Deirdre in the story, I can never, however hard I may try, make atonement for my sins. Praise God that He loves me enough that, in the Persona of the Son, He paid the price. It was in the unique sacrifice of the Lord Jesus that restoration was accomplished.  It is in Him that Father God is able to again have a loving relationship with you and with me.  In His humanity, He bore the punishment that we deserved; in His deity, He provided the perfection that alone could satisfy the righteous wrath of the Holy One. "He paid a debt He did not owe, because I owed a debt I could not pay."

Have you responded, positively, to that amazing grace? Have you accepted the reconciliation that was gained for you at Calvary? Are you "at one" with Father God? The offer is there and, as soon as you accept it, you will enter into that new relationship with your Creator that will last throughout eternity. 

[There is a full chapter on the word "atonement" in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith", which I recommend to you (as well as the other two currently available!). Remember that I have no hesitation in promoting these books because (a) I think that they are well worth having (or giving to a friend!) and (b) ALL royalties go directly to the bank account of Release International, in support of the persecuted church. Links available to both paperback and Kindle versions, at the top of the page.]

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.

Weather forecast.

It's been an unusually 'harsh' winter here in S.W.France. 'Harsh', of course, is a relative word and, compared to what Scotland, and other parts of the UK have been experiencing, we have had it very easy! 

Today, however, has been probably the most interesting one this year. It was a beautiful day until about 1730 (that's 5.30 p.m. for those who don't use the "24 hour clock"!) and we were preparing to leave to do some shopping on our way to the rehearsal for the church worship group. Just as we were getting ready, there was a series of peals of thunder, one rolling straight into the next. Then came the first few big splats of rain. I suggested to my wife that it might be wise to take coats but, in just the minute or so that we needed to get them, those splats of rain had become hailstones - falling more thickly and heavily than I can ever recall having experienced before. The hail shower was so heavy that we waited until it had calmed down before heading out to the car.

Then, about four miles closer to Bergerac, even the rain stopped; the clouds cleared; the sun shone brilliantly; and there was a magnificent, and full, rainbow arching across the sky - a blaze of colour that was quite magnificent.

Just a couple of hours later, on our way back home, we were treated to an amazing display of lightning - both sheet and forked - that made the night sky appear like noontide. then came that rain and, by the time we had reached our home, it was falling so heavily that we decided to leave the shopping in the car, and just get into the house as quickly as possible. Yet, some twenty minutes' later, I was out clearing the car of our purchases.

That was about ninety minutes ago, and already, there are renewed flashes of lightning, and peals of thunder. The day isn't yet over!

I suppose that that is the weather for you! Forever changing. I found myself thinking of the words of the anonymous writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (13:8). He is the One on Whom I may depend in every situation, and every circumstance. This is something that is experienced, on a daily basis, by those in what we refer to as 'the persecuted church'.For example, more than 100 disciples of Jesus have been killed in Egypt, alone, in the past year. Bombs have been detonated in church buildings; a bus travelling to a mionastery was attacked and, in the north, Daesh (IS) terrorists stormed into homes, and shot disciples of Jesus on the spot. 

Sat7 (www.sat7uk.org) tells of one woman named Nahla. Both of her daughters were killed when Daesh bombed their church building. She was recently interviewed by the TV station. Wearing a locket containing photographs of her daughters, she said: "Of course there's pain and sadness and aching. That won't go away for the rest of my life. But God will strengthen you. Take refuge in the Lord."

Nahla can only have that confidence, even in her personal tragedy, because of the unchanging nature of Almighty God, revealed most fully in the Son, Jesus.

I wonder on what, or in whom, you are placing your confidence as you read this post! Everything else will let you down. Possessions can be lost; relationships can break down; health is not guaranteed. Even if we could hold on to all of these, they only last for a time. I don't know who first made the comment that 100% of people die but, until the rapture of the church, it is unarguably true. We may postpone death; some may go to great expense having their dead bodies frozen (cryogenics) so that they may be 'unfrozen' whenever a cure for the illness/disease that killed them is found - somehow failing to understand that such a cure will be of no use to them as thay are already dead!

Jesus, is for time - and for eternity. He is the only One Who can travel with me through that experience of physical death. He is the only One Who can assure me of life that is not just 'everlasting', but that is of a quality that I cannot even begin to imagine in this life, because it is the life of Almighty God Himself.

I have walked with Him for more years, now, than I care to remember - and He has never let me down (although, sadly, I cannot say that I have never let Him down.). He is my Saviour, my Lord, my King, and my Friend. 

I commend Him to you.