God's provision

I'm sitting here, at Le Chêne du Lac, on the last full day of our summer holiday here.  The owners' two goats are just a few yards away, eating at a hedge.  However, they have escaped from their own enclosure - intended to provide a safe environment - and are trying to eat the leaves through a chain-link fence.  This major obstacle means that, although they are managing to acquire some food, they are not getting a fraction of what is available for them if they were on the other side of the fence - where they should be!

I'm thinking that that is a picture of so many people.  Almighty God has set certain boundaries, in His written Word (the Bible).   These, while intended to provide us with a safe environment, are seen by many as restrictive.  Accordingly, they escape - throwing off the 'shackles' of morality, and ethics, and Godly principles.  They seek to provide for themselves.  They want to be "self-made" men and women.

The reality is that, like the goats, they are just making life difficult for themselves, while losing out on so much that their Creator has available for them.  They are trying to find satisfaction through a chain-link fence, when full provision has already been made for them within the sanctuary of God's enclosure.

So, where are you, today?  In a Godly environment that provides all of your needs (although not necessarily all of your wants!); or 'outside', in a 'freedom' of your own making - but losing out on what Father God has for you?   The choice is always yours!

Truth and propoganda.

In 1918 US Senator Hiram Warren Johnson is purported to have said: "The first casualty when war comes is truth."  However, this was not recorded and, in fact, the sentiment was expressed a long time before, when Greek tragic dramatist Aeschylus (525 BC - 456 BC), stated that: "In war, truth is the first casualty." 

The current situation in Egypt - in which more than 60 churches throughout the country have been destroyed along with other Christian institutions, including 11 schools, an orphanage, a hospital and two Bible Society bookshops, as well as countless homes and businesses - may not classify as war, but it would seem that truth has already fallen.

Christians have, astonishingly, been blamed by the Muslim Brotherhood for the fall of President Mohammed Morsi, and the Islamists are thus waging a retaliatory war against them. It is, however, an utterly absurd notion that Christians, who comprise only around ten per cent of the Egyptian population, could have the clout to bring down a regime. Not only are they numerically weak, but they have also been marginalised and disadvantaged for decades, leaving them without the social influence necessary to inspire the popular movement that resulted in Morsi’s overthrow by the military. 

More than 22 million Egyptians signed the petition, organised by the opposition Tamarod ("Rebel") movement, calling for Morsi to go . There are only around eight million Christians in Egypt so, even if every single one, including children, had put their name to it, they would still have been significantly outnumbered by Muslim signatures.

So why are the Brotherhood blaming the Christians, and why are its rank and file members falling for such a blatant untruth?  

Firstly, it enables the Brotherhood to avoid having to admit that many Egyptian Muslims were opposed to its autocratic, Islamist rule. Secondly, it allows them to portray the military as pro-Christian and anti-Islamic, thus attracting more support among the Muslim majority for their cause.  Thirdly, it taps into the pre-existing contempt in which its supporters hold Christians, similarly to the Nazis’ channelling hostility towards the Jews in 1930s Germany. And fourthly, Christians, as a vulnerable minority, are an easy target, allowing the Brotherhood to wreak unbridled havoc and thereby destabilise the military-backed regime.

Unfortunately, the Western media seems largely to have swallowed the Brotherhood’s narrative (aka 'propaganda') on Morsi’s removal. The Islamists have argued that he was elected democratically and, therefore, should not have been removed by the military in a “coup”; and they have claimed to be staging “peaceful” protests against his removal, which have been brutally and illegitimately broken up by the military. What has not been emphasised is that, although elected democratically, but he did not rule democratically; but used the democratic process to stage a series of power grabs in which he seized control of key institutions that should be independent, appointed his allies as regional governors, pushed through a contentious constitution, and ruthlessly crushed dissent. What has not been reported is that the sit-ins that were broken up by the military last week were characterised by calls for violence against the army, police and other state institutions. Nor has there been much mention, in the media, of the weapons the Brotherhood had in the sit-in camps and which they used against the army and police. Video evidence shows Islamists using guns and grenades against the authorities, and killing officers. There have also been reports of gross abuses being committed inside the camps, including incidents of rape and torture, and the murder of more than 80 people who were accused of being police informants or were trying to escape.

A long time ago, a Roman Official named Pontius Pilate asked the question, "What is truth?" of One Who was, with Pilate's permission, about to be crucified.  It's a question that still cries out to be answered - in Egypt as well as in many other parts of the modern world.

Of course, that crucified One is also the One Who could state, quite categorically: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No man comes to the Father except by Me." (John 14:6).   Only in Him will true peace be found.

Losing a battle doesn't lose a war!

In the latest Marriage Minutes clip, Dr Sharon James explains the way in which the Coalition for Marriage proposes to keep the pressure on Westminster politicians, and peers, with regard to the redefinition of marriage which has come about, in England and Wales, due to the enactment of the relevant legislation earlier this year.  Please take the minute and a half required to listen and watch - and do what you can to support C4M, both prayerfully and financially.

One Day I Woke Up

The following came with a regular e-mailing.  I didn't write it - but it has certainly made me think.  I hope that it makes you think, as well!


One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.

As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but...

God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY MOST EARNESTLY?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the Good News? Why, in times of persecution, do you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you, but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers, and I have answered them all."

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, " Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you."

"When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you 'til the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed."
 
I recall, a long time ago, being told that sin is not as much breaking God's law (although, of course, it is that!), as it is a breaking of His heart!

Wolves in sheep's clothing.

A couple of evenings ago, my wife and I were at a 70th birthday anniversary celebration.  It was a multi-national gathering for the patron of our favourite camp-site, and we were with many friends made over years of spending time there.

At one point, one of our German friends offered me a drink.  I looked at the label on the bottle.  Fruit and vitamins, it read.   I was, therefore, happy to accept (I am totally teetotal, for those who are not aware of the fact!).  It was then that I discovered that I was about to become the victim of a practical joke.  What was actually in the bottle was red wine - taken from a carton, for easier transportation!

I did not take the drink!  However, I did take away with me the thought that the contents of the bottle were not what the label proclaimed!

This is often also true about people. As many know, I use the term "Christian" as little as possible.  This is simply because it has been so devalued that it now refers to anyone who is considered to be helpful, generous, kind, loving, or whatever.  Such a person is regularly described as "a good Christian" when, in fact, there may be absolutely no personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ; no experience of personal salvation; no obvious discipleship of Jesus!

One such person would appear to be the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron.  He has been regularly reported as claiming to be "a 'committed' but only 'vaguely practising' Christian" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16224394) - whatever that may be, yet has been responsible for a number of policies that go directly against the teaching of the written Word of God.  The redefinition of 'marriage' is but the best-known of these.  He has also held a party for homosexual activists in Downing Street (at taxpayers' (my!) expense??) and said he wants to export same-sex marriage all over the world.  He has, with the support of Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne, espoused policies that have ensured that the wealthy get wealthier, and the poor (not just the 'scroungers') get poorer.  When challenged, by a reporter, about his attitude to wealth, and as to whether or not he would be willing to follow the advice of Jesus to the rich young ruler (Luke 18:22), he merely sidestepped by saying that it was a difficult question. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23618181).

Of course, there is not one of us who can claim to follow Jesus perfectly.  However, while many of us at least have that high aim in view, Mr Cameron is one who, in my opinion, is only a wolf in sheep's clothing (see Matt.7:15) who, in reality, and regardless of countless 'sound-bites', cares nothing for the British people, but only for his elitist friends and those whom he considers to be 'cool'. 

Of course, it is not to me that he is, ultimately, answerable!