The Carpenter's Chapel (6)

[Jim1999]

This is a refuge for all who would seek the Saviour's face, and learn of Him in the most intimate of ways. All are welcome.

Cheers,

Jim

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

A great choir was preparing for a public performance of Handel's Messiah. They were in final rehearsal, and everyone sang beautifully. They sang as far as the passage, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." The soloist, a young woman, sang flawlessly. After she had finished, all eyes were fixed on the conductor to catch a look at his approval. He walked over to the young woman and asked, "My daughter, do you really know that your Redeemer liveth? Do you? She replied, "Why, yes, I think I do." She blushed. Then her father, the conductor, said, "Then sing it. Tell me and all who hear that you really know that your Redeemer liveth. It was then he motioned for the part to be sung again. This time the soloist sang the part as she knew it, as she had experienced in her own life. With tears in his eyes, the conductor intoned, "You do know it. You have told me so."

How often do we express our love for the Saviour, and yet they become academic words. The truth is there, but the feeling, the sense of owning that truth is lacking, or at least lack lustre. Let us be certain of Whom we have believed, and that we know on the last day we shall indeed stand before Him in all His glory.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Thursday, 30th December, 2004

It is natural that at the end of every year our thoughts got to evaluate year just gone. This year we are faced with the shock of one of the greatest natural disasters of the modern world. At the time of this writing at least 70,000 are listed a dead in the tragedy of the recent earthquake and tidal wave. As Christians we naturally begin to consider all events in the light of Scripture. Some have said things like” Why does this happen?” Others wonder if this has some kind of event with eschatological ramifications. This are questions that I don’t think we will ever really be able to answer. However, the Word of God is not totally silent when it comes to events like this.

Hebrews 1v10-12
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. These words are in reference to Christ. He did indeed lay the very foundations of the earth. It is carefully, lovingly, wonderfully moulded by His hands. However, it is clear that His creation is not given the same immutability He has. Look at the words referred to in regards to His creation.

They shall perish
They shall was old as a garment
They shall be folded up like a cloak
They shall be changed

Disasters such as we have just witnessed are a part of the natural course of this world. We will never understand the “whys and hows” involved, but they will always happen. As the population of the world grows and people live in all parts of the world the human results will be more and more devastating.

Does this mean that God is any less involved? Does indicate that He doesn’t care? The answer is found in the passage above.

You remain
You are the same
Your years will not fail

“I am the Lord, I change not.” “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” We take confidence in the fact that Jesus never changes. He is the same, He remains. Through terrorists attacks and natural disasters He remains the same. As we approach 2005 we have no idea what we will encounter, but we can be sure of this – Jesus never changes, the Lord is in His holy temple. May we take total confidence in this wonderful truth.

[dianetavegia]

May I share this Roger, with my church email group?

[following-Him]

Thank you Roger,

God Bless

Sheila

[Jim1999]

Friday, December 31, 2004

Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who loves to get
Sweets into your list. Put that in:
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I'm growing old, but add,
Jenny kissed me.
-Leigh Hunt

Do you remember your first sweetheart? Do you remember your first kiss? What a wonderful memory. I have two older sisters and for most of my youth, I thought girls were meant to be someone's sister. Certainly they weren't meant to be kissed. I had never kissed a girl, and the lads at college were teasing me about it. After six months of intensive training, I went home one weekend, rapped on my girlfriends door, and when it opened, I leaned in and kissed.....her mother. It was the kiss I shall never forget. It is forever etched in my mind.

That was an introduction to a sermon I delivered in the early years. Sermons came from all sources in those days. We did and said many things to attract attention of the listener. My congregation consisted of people who had been bombed out in London and soldiers who had returned from war. It was in 1945. And this introduction got attention to be sure.

I went on; As a people, we want to be remembered. And, we want to remember. We all have our own reasons. But, to be sure, we want to be remembered. The writer of that poem, Leigh Hunt, wanted everyone to remember, "Jenny kissed him." The dying thief on the cross next to Jesus said, "Remember me, when you come into your kingdom." If he truly believed that Jesus had the power to afford him a place in his heavenly kingdom, then surely he could have asked Jesus to save him from death. He wanted to be remembered. All his life he had been a bloke of ill repute, a thief, a robber, a blight on society. And at the time of his death, he wanted to be remembered.

I went on to talk about, "Remember the sabbath, to keep it holy." And Deut 9:7, to "remember, and forget not." Then, Deut 32:7, "Remember the days of old." and Judges 16:28 "Remember me." Samson after he had been blinded by the Philistines..remember me, then his strength...........

This is year's end and it is a time to remember. Let us remember and forget not...all that God has given to us over the year and over the years.

Let us remember the Lord on that pitiful cross and the fact that He surrendered Himself, even unto death, for us. He bore our sins on the cross so that we would be remembered in His kingdom. Thank you, Lord, thank you.

Cheers,

God bless,

Jim

[Watchman]

Thank you Jim, you touched me today.
I recall J. Vernon McGee saying what the greatest compliment ever paid to him. After a sermon a boy approached him who was obviously fighting back tears he said, "I never knew Jesus was so wonderfull."
That should be the Jesus that we put before the world.

[following-Him]

Thank you Jim.

At this year's end I certainly have a lot to remember and reflect on and so much to give thanks and praise to our Lord for.

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Saturday January 1, 2005

“Then said they unto him, ‘What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.’ They said therefore unto him, ‘What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.’ Then said they unto him, ‘Lord, evermore give us this bread.’
And Jesus said unto them, ‘I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.’” (John 6:28-36)

The Jews asked what works they could do, that would give them this eternal life. His response clearly identifies the only thing that God requires a sinner to do for salvation: Believe on the Son. But a red flag is raised when the Jews hear the word "believe." They want a sign from heaven to prove to them that Jesus' words are true. This doesn't seem bad until you remember who was asking for a sign, - God's own people! They had the signs in Egypt as Moses displayed God's power. They had the sign of the Sabbath, the sacrifices, the tabernacle, the rebellion of Korah, the law and the commandments, the memorial pillars of stone in Joshua's day, Hezekiah's sundial, the Virgin Birth of Christ, yet they did not believe. (The word "sign" is used 46 times on the Old Testament) (Compare Mt. 12: 38-41; 16:1-4; 24: 3, 30.)
The second example responds to their statement in 6:31, "Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat." Jesus response to the crowd leaps over the miracle of the previous night (remember the crowd didn't know about the walking on the water.) So connect the feeding of the 5000 (this same crowd) to His response of their asking for a sign. They did nor recognize His miracle as a sign of His Deity, so He turns to their Old Testament example of Moses and the manna from heaven. He will use this as a springboard into His sermon on the bread of life.
Jesus knew that the Jews were trusting in their own righteousness (works) rather than believing in God's work of salvation for them.
Romans 10:1: "Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2: For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3: For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have nor submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4: For Christ is the end of the la for righteousness to everyone that believeth." Jesus also knew that they were claiming the examples of the Old Testament to prove that since they were God's chosen people, they were already in God's favor. Manna was the miracle of God's provision in the wilderness to those who previously stepped out by faith and "were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (1Cor. 10:2) They thought their ancestor's faith and the blessings that followed their faith somehow would be passed along to them.
As for manna: Exodus 16:14: "And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15: And when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat."
Jesus answers them by saying "I am the Brad of Life." Dr. John R. Rice explains: "The manna Israel fed on for forty years in the wilderness was not from Moses, it was from God. It had no saving power, but it pictures Christ, the Heavenly Manna, Who gives everlasting life." (p.147) Just as He told the woman at the well in John 4 of living water, Jesus says "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst." The woman at the well was willing to believe once she saw Jesus was more than just another Jew, but these "believe not." They had tasted the bread of the miracle lunch, yet wanted another sign.

[Watchman]

Sunday January 2,2005

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
(John 6:37-40)

Jesus now explains some great truths on the subject of salvation starting with 6:37. This verse brings up the issue of election vs. free-will. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me." That is a good explanation of election, but the verse doesn't stop there. "and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." That explains free-will. God knows all things, yet He is not predetermining who will come.

Dr. McGee quoted the Great Baptist preacher of London, Charles Spurgeon who said, "If the Lord had put a yellow stripe down the backs of the elect, I'd go up and down the street lifting up shirt tails, finding out who had the yellow stripe and then I'd give him the gospel. But God didn't do it that way. He told me to preach the gospel to every creature that 'whosoever will may come.' Jesus says, 'and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' So, my friend you can argue election all you want to, but you can come. And if you come, He'll not cast you out." (p.405)
A second truth is found in 6:39 which speaks of the security of the believer. Jesus paid the price to redeem us with His precious blood, and it is God's work to keep us. Those that are truly saved will not lose their salvation, because it is God that is doing the keeping. John 17:12: "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them are lost..." Phil. 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God will finish the work of keeping the saints right up to the "last day," the day of His return. Verse 40 is another clear description of the free gift of salvation for those who believe on Jesus. Notice that both verses (6:39,40) end with the promise of being raised up at the last day.

[following-Him]

Amen. Thank you Charles,

Blessings

Sheila

[C4K]

Monday, 2 January, 2005

The year 2005 is only a little over daysurs old. It seems like every so often the Lord gives us something to draw our thoughts back to Him. Whether or not we choose to see the disaster of last week as an act of judgement, a sign of the times, or just a part of the natural course of a sin cursed world it did give the entire world cause to stop and reflect on the brevity of life. Picking up where we left off last week let us examine Hebrews 2v1-3.

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;When we consider the “waxing old” of the world and its “folding as a garment,” we ought to indeed “give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.” While we do well to contribute to the relief efforts and give financially, let us give more earnest heed to the spiritual impact of what has happened. How many tens of thousands passed off into a Christless eternity? This event was totally unexpected, there was no warning. Our friends, neighbours, and family members without Christ are a split second form eternity.

Don’t let God’s Word slip by. How many will neglect “so great salvation” in 2005. How many will slip away into eternity in the next twelve months. May each of who are saved give more earnest heed to what we have heard. May we use every opportunity to follow Christ and encourage others not to neglect “so great salvation.”

Thank you, Lord, for so great salvation. Remind us to take heed to it and share it with others in 2005.

[following-Him]

Thank you Roger.

We never know what aspect of our behaviour, as in words and actions others see Jesus shining forth in.

Blessings

Sheila

[Jim1999]

Tuesday, January 4, 2005

On Boxing Day, we were driving to town and noticed a small dog, alone and looking somewhat bewildered. It was not injured, but frightfully thin. It had been extemely cold for a number of days, and bitter cold at night. This pup had been left alone in that cold.

We rescued the dog and took her home. She has settled in well. As I thought about this little dog, I thought about the good Samaritan. He came across a man lying in the way and took him in. He cared for his injuries and guaranteed his stay at the local inn.

Jesus found us in the cold and took us in. He not only gave us refuge, but a guarantee of eternal life in His blessings. This little dog licks my hand, she stares into my eyes and she looks at home. How much time do we take to stare in the eyes of the Saviour? How much do we express our appreciation for all that Jesus has done for us? In the Book, we are told to express our love for God by caring for our neighbour; reaching out to seek those who are in need.

Lord, help us, each one, to look you in the eyes and declare that we are doing all we can do to be what you would have us to be.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Wednesday, 4th January, 2005

Another year has begun. I know that too often when a new year begins I am tempted to look back with regret with what I did not do in the previous year. While there is benefit in that we can see where we failed and attempt to correct our mistakes and failings, that should not be our focus. Learn from what we did and move on. The Word of God sets the principle, “Forgetting those things which are behind and pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus.”

Over the next three days of my own devotional thoughts I want to focus of three simple instructions that God gives in Romans 15v1-6. If each of us would implement these thoughts into our lives this year, we could consider 2005 a year well spent.

We will focus on three instructions:
Think about others v1-3
Focus on the Scriptures v4
Glorify God together v5-6

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. Romans 15v1-3

In this section we see that our thoughts our to be for others.

“You who are strong, bear the weaknesses of the weak.” No fellow believer should ever bear a burden alone. “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ,” we read in another place. Let us be sure that we are “burden bearers” in the year to come.

Please your neighbour, not yourself.” Does that fly in the face of everything we hear today. This is the opposite of “looking out for number one,” which sadly has become a motto, even for Christians.

“Build others up, don’t tear them down.” Enough said, most of us would do well to take this advice right here on our little Baptist Board.

“Follow Christ example.” When it came to the cross Jesus had all the power in the world to please Himself. No one had the power to nail Him to the cross. He chose not to please Himself, but to take on Himself the reproaches of those who reproached Him.

Lord, remind us to put others first, even as You did when Your went to the cross for us. When we are tempted to please and satisfy ourselves, remind us of you example.

[Watchman]

In answer to Cain's question: "Am I my brother's keeper?" In many ways, God's Word tell us, "Yes."
Thanks Roger!

[Jim1999]

Thursday, January 6, 2005

I heard a stand-up comic once say, "All girls are religious. The good girl wakes up in the morning and says, 'Good morning, God.' The bad girl wakes up in the morning and says, 'Good god, morning!'" Both said the same thing. Used the same words, but because of the grammatical construction, complete opposite meaning.

I was on a secular site and everyone was talking religion. They tossed around religious terms like it was a gospel meeting. When push came to shove, however, none of them had a clue what prayer was or what true religion is all about.

The thought came, How many of us go through the routine? We know all the right words and we generally have them in the right order, but do we really understand what they mean? Have we become so regimented that we have become routine?

"The pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I get...." Luke 18:11ff.

This man had all the words and all the religion, but did he possess the spirit of prayer? This is the question we must ask ourselves continually. Do we know all the words? I must confess, that there are times when I have gone through the ritual. It is not a difficult thing to do. Just get a little down and you do your religious duty, but your heart is just not in it.

Sometimes it is appropriate to put off the routine and return when you have an opportunity to regather yourself and pray in the Spirit.

Lord, help us to realize that we are fully man and fully committed, but sometimes the man part plays a greater role and we need to refocus, and learn to pray, "God, be merciful to me the sinner."

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Friday, 7th January, 2005

Today we want to examine part two of our instructions for 2005 from Romans 15.

Our instruction for today – Focus on the Scriptures

that ye through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.[/b]

As Paul wrote these words of course he was referring to the Bible he had, the Old Testament. This little note reminds us of the validity of the entire Bible, of all that God has given us in His Word. It is all written for our learning, since it is all given by inspiration of God, and it is profitable for us.

Note first of all that patience is required. God is not always going to work according to our timetable. If we have confidence in His Word we are able to patiently wait for His instruction. This word for patience means to “abide under,” and for us to benefit from the Scriptures we must patiently abide under the teaching that God has given us.

What happens if we have patience with the Word of God? God gives us two things;

Comfort
Hope

These are two blessings that we so often miss. The Word of God never changes. To me that is my greatest source of comfort. In all of the trials of life that we face, it is only in the Word of God that we find everlasting comfort, of we can come back to it time after time, and the words are always there. “The Lord is my Shepherd…” is just as real today as it was the first time I read it. We find our greatest comfort in the things which don’t change.

Hope. How many people around us are walking around without hope? How often do we live like everything is hopeless? The wonderful thing is that I do not have to hope in anything but the Word of God. The Saviour Who is revealed there will NEVER change and He will NEVER forsake. I live daily looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Looking for some comfort and hope in 2005? Look into the Scriptures, patiently abide there no matter what comes your way. In them you will find the comfort and hope you desire.

Lord, remind us of the only true source of hope and comfort. When things get tough, take us back to your precious Word. Remind us that there, and there alone, we will find comfort and hope for this new year.

[Watchman]

THank You guys for these good messages.

[following-Him]

Thank you Jim and Roger. We need to keep looking up rather than around us.

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Saturday January 8, 2005

“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, 'Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.' For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them, 'My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.' When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, 'Where is he?' And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, 'He is a good man:' others said, 'Nay; but he deceiveth the people.' Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews."
(John 7:1-13)

Jesus continued in Galilee as the Jews of Jerusalem sought to kill Him. Six months after the feast of the Passover, mentioned in 6:4, Jesus is approached by His brethren, the sons of Mary and Joseph (Mt. 13:55-56). They wanted Jesus to join them as they went to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles (the Jews were to live in booths for seven days to remember their ancestors who lived for 40 years in the wilderness). They challenged our Lord to go boldly to Jerusalem and perform miracles that would give proof to all of Jesus' claims. Jesus does not yield to their pressure as He did not want to enter Jerusalem with much fanfare of a crowd. He realized that, like the crowd, His earthly brethren did not believe. Later when Jesus went to the Cross, they were no where to be found as John was told to care for His mother, Mary (19: 25-27). It wasn't until sometime after the resurrection that His brethren were saved. They joined the disciples after His ascension in the upper room of prayer (Acts 1:14).
After their departure, Jesus went up to Jerusalem, "not openly", but quietly as His "time is not yet full come."

Now, before going, I would like to comment on verse eight. While not wanting to weigh-in to the versions debate, it does seem to this writer that this is a point where the King James Version, it’s variants, (and a few others, i.e., NIV, HCSB), has a better reading, and makes more sense than some other versions:
(John 7:8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up YET unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
Some versions simply render it like: “I am not going to the feast.” This makes less sense because He did, in fact, go to the feast. To add the “yet” removes any implication that the Lord was being deceptive.

[following-Him]

Thank you Charles,

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Sunday January 9, 2005

Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (John 7:14-15)
At the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus went up to the temple and taught. The Scriptures do not describe the teachings that so amazed the Jews, but Jesus gave the Father the credit for its content: "My doctrine is not mine, but He that sent Me." (vs. 16). Further, He stated that anyone whose will was in accord with that of the Father would be able to discern the truth of His (Jesus) message.
Not only that, but if someone speaks authoritatively from knowledge within himself, he is simply seeking to bring recognition to himself. On the other hand, anyone who sincerely seeks to represent the Father and what He has said-one who desires to bring glory to Him, as Jesus did, would certainly tell the truth (vv. 17-18)
Possibly the issue, at the time, was over whether it was right to do good on the Sabbath. He rebuked His listeners because they were not really following the Law of Moses as they professed. They did not hesitate to perform the good work of circumcision on the Sabbath (vs 22), so what was unlawful about making a person whole on the Sabbath? (vs.23). Jesus then summed up the basis for His claim that He was doing what was right. "Ye both know Me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of Myself, but He that sent Me is true, Whom ye know not. But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent Me" (vv28-29).
Did Jesus have to learn any truth, or did He only have to reflect the message of His Father? Mans learning is only valid as it approaches the absolute knowledge and truth of God in Whom there is no error. It is clear that Jesus already knew the truth, because it was given to Him by the Father. He didn't have to learn it from man, or from His own experience, but from the Father, the source of all wisdom.
The unique caliber of His teaching (literally "indoctrinating") caused the Jewish scholars there to "marvel."
Their question on this occasion was how an uneducated man, who had never been taught by the scribes and rabbis, could have acquired such a remarkable understanding of the Holy Scriptures. He had never had formal training in the word; yet, when He taught, "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:29).
His answer to their question was amazing: Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not mine, but His who sent Me." (vs. 16)
There are two factors at work here. First of all, His working of the Old Testament Scriptures was encyclopedic, acquired in the same way any other student of the word can acquire it-by diligent and prayerful personal study thereof. He had no doubt done this all His life from the time He was a small boy. Remember how He had asked questions of the astonished doctors in the temple, and then how He was "subject unto" His parents, and how He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2;46, 51-52) In all of this, He is a perfect human example to us, as we also seek to learn the Scriptures and to grow in wisdom and in favor with God.

[Jim1999]

Monday, January 10, 2005

I received an email last week, that is the heart of to-days devotional. It demonstrated by a series of photos that Psalm 118:8 is the very centre of the Bible. Do you remember the words of this particular verse? "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

Whilst this is the physical centre of the Bible, it is also the centre of religious thought. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Man will constantly disappoint us in every way, but the Lord will never let us down. He is our constant. When all else fails, the Lord is there reaching out to us. This does not mean that everything will go our way. It means that the Lord will not disappoint us in any dispensation.

This thought came to me as we see the natural disaster that struck another part of this globe, and millions of people asked, "Where was God when this tidal wave struck? I too thought about it, and it is here I draw the two circles, one smaller and within the first. The first representing the sovereign will of God, and the small inner circle representing the permissive will of God. It is in this area that such disasters fall. God does not cause them, but rather they are the forces of nature set in order by God and allowed to follow their course. Where was God? Right there reaching out to people. Come unto Me, he said, and all who came would receive eternal life in His glorious kingdom.

Yes, it is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man.

Lord, teach us always to look up to You and realize that You are the centre of our being.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Amen - wonderful thoughts and in the proper perspective.

[following-Him]

Thank you for that devotional Jim,

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

Tuesday, 11th January, 2005

Finally, in this little three part devotional from Romans 15 we have one last instruction. Before that though, there is one precious thought about God that we need to consider.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Sometimes we are called to glorify God in a way that requires patience. William Carey waited seven years before he saw his first profession of faith and fourteen years for a church to be started. He was a man of great patience in his service – he once wrote in his journal that if all he would be enabled to do was to gather the materials for someone else to do the work he would be content. No one likes this kind of service, but we must trust that eventually, perhaps not till we get to heaven, we will see the results of that that kind of service. The question is; “How do I do it?”

What gave him that kind of ability – it was the God of patience and comfort. We will not all be called to a service which bears immediate results. Sometimes serving God simply requires the ability to wait, to be patient, to “bear up under” the load of the tasks set our before us. What joy it is to read that God is the God of patience. Think about how patient He was with you and me as we dabbled in the sin of the world, rejecting Him day after day. Think about all of the times He patiently waited of us while we wandered off the road after salvation. Lovingly waiting and imploring us to return to Him

Praise God that He is the God of patience and that He makes that patience available for each one of us today!

[following-Him]

Amen.

Thank you Roger,

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Thanks guys
Also Jim, not only is that verse the center of the Bible, but notice Who is the center of the verse: The Lord.

Thank you too Roger, I need a great deal of patience now. Well, read my post for today on the prayer forum.

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

A missionary wanted to teach the national Christians what obedience to God means. He could not find the right word in their language. Obedience was not known. They had no eqivalent word that he could find.

One day, the missionary started for home from the village. His dog lingered behind. The missionary whistled for the dog, and the dog came running at top speed to his side.

An old native man, with great admiration for the dog, said, "You dog is all ear." That's it, the missionary thought to himself. The expression for obedience is "all ear".

What a lesson for us all. We must be all ear if we are to learn from the Lord. "He who hath ear to hear." This goes beyond mere physical hearing of some noise. It includes understanding what we hear. Unless we are prepared to "hear" the Lord we have not begun to listen to Him. We have not learned obedience to the Lord. We must be all ear to the Lord.

Lord, teach us to have ears to hear when you speak to us.

Cheers,

Jim

[following-Him]

Amen. Yes Jim, we certainly need to listen more to the Lord.

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

Thursday, 13th January, 2005

Glorify God in Unity

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a little less than two weeks my beautiful bride and I will celebrate 27 wonderful years together. For our wedding we chose a theme from the above passage – “That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.” We have often failed in that desire, but is a goal we have always tried to achieve.

Glorifying God in unity. What a wonderful and what a blessed truth. In our little church plant we have had our struggles, but one thing we have always had is the opportunity to worship and minister with Christians from all over the world passing through Ireland. We have had folks from Nigeria, Spain, Cameroon, the Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the United States, and now Poland as a part of our fellowship. We all have one thing in common; the God of patience and comfort unites us all.

Notice that our pattern is Jesus Christ. We are challenged to be likeminded in glorifying God. God does not expect “cookie-cutter Christians” but He does expect us to be unified in glorifying Him. We must be able to lay aside our petty differences when it comes to this.

May we, as associates on the cyber community, strive in 2005 to work together with our brothers and sisters in Christ that with one mind (our thoughts) and one mouth (our words) always seek to glorify God in every situation and every discussion.

[following-Him]

Amen and Amen.

Thank you Roger and God Bless you and your ministry.

Sheila

[Jim1999]

Friday, January 14, 2005

A little boy in a remote area had to go to the village. It was a long way off. "Mother, it is so far off to the village. I'm nt exactly afraid, but would you go with me a short distance?"

The mother replied, "Son, I will go with you all the way. Take my hand and we will walk together."

The lad was not afraid as long as he held his mother's hand.

Many of these missionary stories illustrate great biblical truths. The Lord has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. God is always with us. Yet, we sometimes walk in fear and trembling. There is a place for caution in the believer's life. We do not recklessly stroll in the lower side of a city. We do not go where angels fear to tread. That would be foolish. On the other hand, how far do we trust God to always be with us? It is right for us to fear human failures, but wrong to fear to do what God has called us to do. There is a fine line here, but God will give us the wisdom to know the difference.

Let us walk as if it all depended on us, knowing it is all in God's hands.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Thanks guys for these messages.

[Watchman]

Saturday January 15, 2005

“Jesus answered them, and said, ‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?’ The people answered and said, ‘Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?’ Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.’ Then said some of them of Jerusalem, ‘Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?’” (John 7:16-26)

Jesus moved around "as it were in secret", but it was not because he feared the Jews. Many times they wanted to seize Him, but could not. He waited until the midway point of the week, then went boldly into the temple and taught. (Please note that the temple was not only a place of sacrifice, but it was also a meeting place, as a town square was to many towns in years past.)
Just a He had done as a young lad (Luke 2:46-47), Jesus again marvels the "doctors" and professors. Here the Jews question how Jesus could know so much about the "letters" (the scrolls of the Old Testament) without attending their school? The Apostle Paul had been taught at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), but Jesus is the Word (1:1), He is the personification of wisdom in Proverbs 8. Jesus retorts that Hsis doctrine is actually of God and can be verified by those who "do His will."

Now Jesus challenges the skeptics in 7:19 as He rebukes them for not keeping the law of Moses and yet desiring to kill Him.
(If these Pharisees who studied n detail all the do's and don'ts; who would even take time to tithe of mint couldn't keep the whole law, how do you suppose you can?) Also notice that "the people" have the same attitude as the Pharisees in Mt. 12:24. They accuse Jesus of being possesed by a devil. Just think about it - Jesus can cause the blind to see, the deaf to hear, cast out devils, and even raise the dead, but when He healed on the Sabbath, He's supposed to have a devil!
But Jesus continues His thought as He uses the example of Moses and circumcision. If a boy was eight days old on the Sabbath, they would break the Sabbath law and circumcise the child, but when Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, they wanted to kill Him. Notice now the same crowd that mocked our Saviour a few verses ago are now wondering how Jesus could be "speaking boldly" even though the rulers "seek to kill?" Now they begin to think that if the rulers can not answer Christ's word, maybe He IS the Christ!

[Watchman]

Sunday January 16, 2005

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:27-39)

Verse 27 Brings in focus one of the key stumbling blocks of the Jews. "Howbeit we know this man whence He is." They knew Jesus as the Son of (as they supposed) Joseph, the carpenter. The Jews assumed that Jesus was born in Galilee, while the Old Testament Scriptures predicted Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace. We will deal with Galilee later. Jesus responds by declaring His relation to His heavenly Father, whom Jesus says they "know not." Again Jesus clearly identifies the leaders as unbelievers. The leaders seek to apprehend Him, but are not able; soldiers are sent, but they too can not take Him by force.
On the last day of the feast of booths (7:37) Jesus again stand and cries out "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink." The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible tells us that "Splendid ceremonies were subsequently added to those prescribed in the Law for the festival...At the time of the morning and evening oblation, a priest filled a golden vessel with water at the pool of Siloam and carried it into the Temple, were it was received with trumpet blasts and the words of Isa. 12:3: "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (p.589) Though not prescribed in the Old Testament, Jesus used this added Jewish custom to proclaim the availability of living water. Notice that it is free to all. "If any man thirst, let him come." Isaiah 55:1: "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." He told the woman of Samaria about the living water back in chapter 4, but now He adds "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Back in Exodus we know the account of Moses smiting the "Rock" in the desert and from the belly of that Rock, a river came forth. 1Cor.10:4 tells us clearly: "That rock was Christ."
So realize that as the Jews performed a ceremony involving earthly water that had no salvation, Jesus explained the true meaning of Isa. 12:3: the need to partake of Christ's living water; to believe in God's ability to supply salvation.
Today "holy water" (tap water that is "blessed") is sprinkled on a child in hope of salvation. All it does is make the child wet and gives the parents and grandparents a false hope.
Before we look at the response of the people, the writer, John, adds a note of teaching. In parenthesis (7:39), John explains that "rivers of living water" would be fulfilled in the person of God, the Holy Ghost. Isa. 44:3: "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring." The word, rivers (plural form) speak of the satisfaction that only comes from God. A cup of water helps the thirsty, but rivers of water are more than enough to calm the fears of lack of supply. He also informs us that the Spirit had a different ministry during the preceding age, but now, after the Cross and resurrection of our Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer (Compare 20:22 for when the disciples received the Holy Ghost.) John 14: 16,17,26 and 16:7-11 will speak more about the Spirit's ministry today.
Notice also, John clearly identifies the water as being the Spirit and makes no reference to water baptism. If water baptism had any part in our salvation, this passage would have been a great proof text, but it is not mentioned.
You cannot add anything to the finished work of Christ on the cross!

[Dan Todd]

You cannot add anything to the finished work of Christ on the cross!

Amen!

[C4K]

Monday, 17th January ,2005

For the next few days we have company in and will be quite busy. For these few days I am preparing devotions in advance and we will be considering some thoughts from “The Valley of Vision” compiled and collected by Arthur Bennett. I trust that the Lord may bless us with the thoughts of these godly Puritan writers. – Roger

Thoughts on the Saviour


May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,
So that its smiles never allure,
Nor its frown terrify,
Nor its vices defile,
Nor its errors delude me…
And whatsoever I do may it be done in the Saviour’s name.
It is obvious to every thinking Christian that we live in a vile, evil, world. Although we perceive it as being more vile than ever before, it is only so in the visible manifestation.

How often do we find the smiles if this world alluring? How often are we terrified by its frowns? How often do we allow ourselves to be defiled by its vices and deluded by its errors? It is unfortunate that in our desire to act on our liberty in Christ we often take our eyes off of Him and onto this world.

May we join in the closing line above – “Lord whatever I do, may it be done in the Saviour’s name.” As we go through today, may we honestly go to the Lord with that thought and desire in mind – may ALL we do today be done in the Saviour’s name.

[Jim1999]

Tuesday, January 18, 2005


David Livingstone, the famous missionary, had a brother who came to Canada, where he became very wealthy. When he died, he was noted as the brother of that great missionary, David Livingstone.

The other day, it was announced in the town next to where I live, that the new senior's long-care building would be named after a man who donated a million dollars to the building fund.

When my wife's mother was in her final months and in need of assistance, there was a woman who had five children of her own, was not wealthy, and had no outstanding attributes to contribute to society, and yet, she was always there, and always with a smile. She did so much for sickly people and asked for nothing in return. When Mary's mother needed a ride somewhere, this woman was there, and for many other people in similar circumstances. Her name will never adorn a badge of honour on a building.

I am reminded of the widow's mite. She virtually had nothing to give, but she gave all that she had. Are we giving all that we have in the name of the Lord? I must always ask myself this question. Not in monetary terms because anyone can give money, but of self. Am I fully committed to the Lord in all that I am?

Lord, help us not to seek glory in the talents You have given to us, but rather let us glory in Your death, burial and glorious resurrection. Let us be remembered, not in our fame, but in our dedication to You.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Excellent posts guys, Thank you.

[C4K]

Wednesday, 19th January, 2005

On deliverance through the blood of Christ.


May His shed blood make me
More thankful for thy mercies,
More humble under thy correction,
More zealous in thy service,
More watchful against temptation,
More contentment in my circumstances,
More useful to others.
Most of us freely acknowledge the wonderful work of the shed blood of Christ in covering our sins. This little thought caused me to consider how I view the blood of Christ on a day to day basis. Jesus paid the ultimate price by shedding His own blood for me. The work of that shed blood did not end at the day of my salvation. It is His shed blood covered my sin once and forever therefore it’s work carries on day after day.

When I see the mercy of God – do I remember His shed blood?
When I am corrected by my Saviour – do the blood of Christ make me humble?
When I am serving Him – does His blood make me zealous?
When I am tempted – does His blood make me watchful?
When I see my circumstances – does His blood make me content?
When I see others – does His blood make me useful to Him?

May the blood of Christ do more than cover our sin – may it motivate us daily to walk in the light of its work.

[Jim1999]

Thursday, January 20, 2005

A dear saint of God said it was her desire to be more like Christ everyday. She talked about when she gets to glory, and at His second advent. Then she thought, that would be mere idle talk if I did not desire to spend more time with Him each and every day. If I would be like Jesus, I must spend more time in His presence.

The reality of the Christian religion came home to her. It is not a Sunday experience. It is not a parenthetical state of the moment we spend in reading God's word and in prayer. It is that idea of walking in prayer each moment of the day. We don't set aside the rule of looking both ways before crossing a roadway. We don't abandon our walk here on earth.

It is said that over a lifetime of togetherness we adopt certain attributes of our partners in marriage, and this is true. The more time we spend with the Saviour the more we take on His attributes and the more Christ-like we ought to become.

Let us learn to not only lok both ways when crossing the street, but remember that 6th dimension where we look out to Him as we walk.

Lord, help us to be more like You in every way and every day.

Cheers,

Jim

[Dan Todd]

Well said Jim!

[C4K]

Friday, 21st January, 2005

On the righteousness of Christ.

Continue to teach me that Christ’s righteousness satisfies and evidences thy love. Help me to make use of it by faith as the ground of my peace and of thy favour and acceptance. So that I may live always near the cross. It is not feeling the Spirit that proves my saved state but the truth of what Christ did perfectly for me.What does it mean to live near the cross? I think Fanny Crosby sums up “cross living” well in her hymn “Near the Cross.”

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/e/nercross.htm
May we all be reminded of the cross and live daily in it’s shadow.

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger.
It is, as the great hymnal says, "The emblem of suffering and shame" and yet, "Holds a wondrous attraction for me."
It is deeply saddening that the Son of God suffered so for someone like me, but I am oh-so grateful that He did.

[Watchman]

Saturday January 22, 2005

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (John 7:40-52)

Now let's look at the responses of the people that heard Jesus' great offer. Jesus had stirred up the conversation of the crowd with a few declaring Him to be "the prophet" (compare 6:14).
Others were ready to believe that Jesus was the Christ, but still some rejected His words and miracles because He grew up in Nazareth.
They knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah which declared His birthplace to be Bethlehem as He was of the seed of David. No one had ever asked Jesus of His lineage; they just assumed (wrongly) that He was born in Nazareth.
The last verses of this chapter show us the true intent of the religious leaders. They had already determined to kill Jesus and were waiting for an opportune time to arrest Him. Evidently some of the guards had been placed in he temple since the last encounter with Jesus (7:14,26) with instructions to seize Him. Yet these hardened soldiers were amazed by His words to the point that they could not apprehend Jesus. They replied, "Never man spake like this man." I can't help but look ahead six months to the Cross when a soldier would declare, "Truly this man was the Son of God." (Mk. 15:39; Luke 23:47; also John 18: 4-6)
Now the focus is turned from the soldiers directly to the religious leaders. Since they had been schooled by the rabbis, they held a superior attitude above the common people. They must know it all because they are of course, college professors! Yet all that their degree tells us is that they listened to their professor and recited enough back to pass the courses. (Some professors grade by the pound.) We see their true colors as they accuse and intimidate both the soldiers and the crowd declaring one to be deceived and the other accursed.
Today we have some "learned men" who can't refute the arguments of creation. Their main attack is upon the learning of their opponents. If a man stands for God or creation in some major colleges today, he will have a difficult time graduating because of his professor's bias.
From the midst of these Pharisees stands Nicodemus, which is confirmed to be the one mentioned in John chapter 3. He challenges the others to not make a judgement before the facts are tried. We don't know if Nicodemus was saved at this point. We can only assume that sometime before the Cross, Nicodemus accepted Christ as then he was willing to risk his life and his whole future to help bury the body of Jesus.
The response of the Pharisees was interesting as they show their desire to stamp out any resistance with peer pressure. Then they show their ignorance as they claim "For out of Galilee ariseth no prophet." Again, they were presuming that because Jesus grew up in Nazareth, He could not fulfill the prophesy that the Messiah must come from Bethlehem.
At any rate, there had been a number of prophets that had come out of this region: Jonah, Nahum, Hosea, Elisha and Elijah came out of this region that is at this time called Galilee.
More important was the prophecy of Isaiah 8:18-9:7, which was partially quoted by Matthew in 4:13-16: And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is on the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulon and Nephthalim. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying, "The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." The Jews should have realized that Isaiah 9:1-2, which speaks about the work of the "Light" among the darkness of the Gentiles would be the "Son", the Messiah to which they looked.

[Watchman]

Sunday January 23, 2005

If I may, I will leave the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to John for one night. I do so that I may speak on a very unpleasant subject. This weekend marks the anniversary of one of the darkest events in the history of this nation. The anniversary of the day that seven men determined that it was the law of the land that the unborn can be slaughtered by whim.
As those that name the name of Christ we should listen to what God says on an issue and not what men say when there is a conflict between the two.

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. (Ex. 1:17)
The commandment of the king was for the midwives to put the male children to death. If only there was this fear of God among abortionist's today!

If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine, And if any mischief follow, then shalt he give life for life, (Ex. 21:22-23)
Now the liberal would say here that such punishment was due if something happened to the mother. But by the context of this law, not to mention that it has always been regarded by the Jewish leaders that this commandment says such punishment was due to the one responsible if EITHER the mother or child suffers harm. If that baby died, the one responsible paid with his life.
This is how serious God regarded this subject in the law.

But thou art He that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breast. I was cast upon thee from the womb; thou art my God from my mother's belly.
(Psa. 22:9-10)
And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be His servant..." (Is. 49:15)
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine or strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (Luke 1:15)
It makes no differeence where you stand on the doctrine of grace, we are the Lord's, and the Lord has a purpose for us while we were being formed in the womb. (Of course, even before that!)

But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Mark 10:14; also Mt. 19:14 and Luke 18:16)
You sure can't suffer them to come to Jesus those that are aborted.

Distressing to me is that there are those that warm Chuch pews, who, supposedly name the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that are for abortion.
No, it is not for me to judge you, judge yourself if ye be in the faith, if the love of the Lord Jesus indeeds dwells in you and you are not troubled by this great slaughter.

[Jim1999]

Monday, January 24, 2005

As I look around and observe many spats among Christians, some church-splitting disputes, I thought about this story I read about cows.

It was a frosty morning, and all the animals were waiting their turn to drink at the frozen trough. There was ony a slight break in the ice from which to drink. The cows stood very still until one attempted to turn about and she happened to hit the cow next to her. Immediately that cow kicked back and hit another cow. In less than five minutes all the cows were kicking with vengeance.

The Christian community can sometimes be like those cows in the barnyard. We get upset by some small thing and next thing we know we are "kicking" the one next to us and the whole church becomes infected.

Rumour mongering has much the same effect. If we pass along some anecdote about another is can escalate into a bold-faced lie, and land a lot of people into trouble.

We see here the importance of taking all our troubles to the Lord. Often, as we are praying, we discover how insignificant the thing that troubled us really was. Then we get on with our Christian witness.

Lord, help us to understand the ultimate meaning of calmness and discernment as we seek to serve You in our lives.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Tuesday, 25th Janaury, 2005

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Job 1v13-20

After a recent bout of challanging news a young man in our service, the son of our future co-workers, shared this passage in church. It was one of those times when the full realisation of a Bible truth was illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Job's news could not be worse. Yet, we read that he worshipped God as an immediate result. Job was suffering very real pain, yet he chose to worship God at that low time.

If bad news comes your way today, will worship be your response? With God's help. may it be so.

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

A wasp got into a little girls buggy. The little girl was trying to catch it. The nanny kept saying, "No, no! The little girl began to cry. At this point the mother heard the girl crying and intoned, "What is that child cryin for? Let her have it this instant!" A few minutes later, the mother heard the child wailing; one awful scream was let out. The mother again, in great alarm asked, What's the matter now?"

"She got it," said the nanny. "She got the wasp. That was what she wanted." Sometimes we ask for only things that will bring us great sorrow and trouble. God knows it. I think, if we keep crying, God will let us have our way through great pain and sorrow and then we learn that God's will is best for us.

How often do we pray for that which is not in the centre of God's will and get what we ask for?
We pay the price and then moan that we are going through such great trials.

Jonah had to experience the depths of the sea because he dared to think his own way was best. In the end it was God's will that prevailed and blessing were had all about. George Mueller would not think of making known the financial needs of his home in public. He made it known only to God, and allowed the perfect will of God to have its way. This did not rule out his acting responsibly in management. He did not spend what he did not have, but managed it well. God continually blessed his service to the Master.

I think there are times to speak and times to be silent, and the Lord knows which is best. We all need to learn more about God's providence and obedience to God's will in our lives, lest we be cast into the raging sea.

Lord, help us, each one, to look to You daily for our sustenance in both physical needs and spiritual development, that we may praise Your name continually.

Cheers,

Jim

[Dan Todd]

Wise words -- Jim -- thank you!

[Watchman]

Ohhhh, how many times Jim, have I been stung grabbing for wasps!

[Jim1999]

Amazing what we can learn. My devotionals of late have come from secular readings, Novels, children's stories, some lifetime experiences and generally staying away from biblical studies, but not ignoring biblical truth. Thought I would like to add this.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Thursday, 27th January, 2005

Wasp stings. What a great topic. As rotten as I am bees and wasps avoid me ;) , but I have seen the affect they have on others. Never pleasant, but a part of life which we are to go through as a part of God's plan.

Our spiritual wasp stings hurt as well. When they happen we are often like the child in Jim's story from yesterday, wailing and bemouning our fate. We can do that and let the affect roll on and on. Or, we can do what Paul did and reminds us of in 2 Corinthians 2v8-10.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Our God is in control, even when we get stung by a wasp. Why does the wasp sting? Puzzling sometimes. While they may be perplexing, may our wasp stings never leave us in despair.

[Jim1999]

Friday, January 28, 2005

There are six different kinds of bones in the
average church. There are the WISHBONES. They are always wishing for better things, but they never get down to work for or pray for them to come about. Then there are the JAWBONES. They do altogether too much talking. They gossip and make trouble for everyone. They there are the FUNNYBONES. These are like the silly bone in your elbow and are always getting hurt. They are too touchy. Their feelings get hurt too easily and those fingers are always pointing to them. Then we have the DRY BONES, the FOSSILS. They are dead and cold. They show no sign of Christian life whatever. Oh, and not to forget the TAILBONES. The ones that are behind everything; behind in tithes, behind in volunteering, behind in time getting to services.

Finally we have the BACKBONES. They are the spiritual life and support of the church. They know what is right and do it. They are exceedingly busy, but never too busy for one more job. They stand for the right and do what is right. Would to God we had more backbone in the church to-day.

Lord, help us to stand, and to walk in and for the faith once delivered to us in Jesus Christ.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Very witty and very well said, no BONES about it!

[Watchman]

Saturday January 29, 2005

We have before us now a passage that is deep in controversy, as it is missing from so many manuscripts, that many wonder whether it belongs here at all. Today we will look at the passage and tomorrow take on the controversy

And every man went unto his own house.
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
(John 7:53-8:11)

This section begins with the crowd dispersing (7:53) and Jesus heads to the Mount of Olives and probably the garden of Gethsemane. This garden was often the bed of the Saviour. The next morning Jesus was back at the temple teaching the people who had gathered. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught "in the very act" of adultery. They threw her down before Jesus and recited the Law of Moses which required her to be stoned. Then they ask Jesus what was His view. Their plan was to force Jesus into a corner in which any option would cause Him to be caught in His own words. If Jesus would agree to stone her as the Law said, then they would turn to His teaching and witnessing to those who were sinners. Also, the Jews were not allowed to stone anyone, as they had to take Jesus to Pilate for execution. Or if Jesus would say, "Let her go", then He would be accused of ignoring the Law of Moses.
The trap had been laid, but Jesus knew their hearts. These religious leaders did not care about following the Law, unless it was to their benefit.
It is worthwhile here to look at the particular Law that they spoke of:
"And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." (Lev. 20:10). Moses later said in Deut. 22:22: "If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel." One plus one does not equal one, but rather two. If she was caught in the "act" of adultery, then where was the man? One can only conclude that they knew who he was. Could the unknown man be one of the very leaders before Jesus? It is plain to see that it was a trap.
But Jesus refused to answer their rigged question and knelt down and began to write on the ground. We do not know what Jesus wrote on the ground, but it probably was something which all could read. The Old Testament told of God writing the ten commandments with His finger (Exodus 31:18). We also have the account of Belshazzar's death sentence written on the wall by a finger of a hand (Daniel 5:5). The Pharisees and scribes continued to pester Jesus until He turned to them and said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." He then returned to writing on the ground. What did Jesus write this second time? Could it have been the ninth commandment found in Exodus 20:16: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." It was the duty of the witness of the crime to be the ones to cast the first stone (Deut. 17:5-7). Could it be that He wrote the name of the missing man? Dr. McGee suggested that He started with the eldest man's name and listed a hidden sin next to it. In the Psalm of Moses we read: "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance." (Psalm 90:8). One by one beginning with the eldest unto the last, each judge walked away guilty before God.
Jesus now turns to the woman and asks a key question, "Hath no man condemned thee? This is an important question, for we too stand as sinners before God. The law tries to condemn us, but as we place our trust in the shed blood of Christ we can find forgiveness and pardon!
John 5:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."
For her response, "No man Lord" we can hope that she too found her Saviour in those words which were written in the ground. Jesus' words of "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" are similar to His response to the man healed at the pool in 5:14 "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee." In both cases we are left in the dark to whether or not they trusted Jesus as their Saviour.

NOTE: Someone sent me an email regarding my January 1, 2005 devotional, where I mentioned Joshua’s pillars. I, at first, saved your email, intending on getting back to you, but then later inadvertently deleted your email. I hope that you are still reading. The answer to your question is in Joshua 4: 4-9.

[Watchman]

Sunday January 30, 2005

And every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
(John 7:53-8:11)

Before we continue with John chapter 8, we must note here that many have questioned the authenticity of this portion of John: 7:53-8:11. The New International Version notes: "The earliest and most reliable manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53-8:11."
The problem is that this passage has been omitted in "the four oldest manuscripts-the newly discovered Codex Sinaiticus (s), the Alexandrian (A), the Vatican (B), and the Ephraem ... As well as upwards of fifty Cursive manuscripts." (JFB Commentary, p. 400-401)
But these Bible critics only present their view. The JFB Commentary also gives us the rest of the story:
First, two of these older manuscripts have, "a blank space, as if something had been left out." They also go on to say: "Of the four most ancient manuscripts which want (lack) this section, the leaves of two at this place have been lost - of A, from 6:50 to 8:52; and of the Ephraem from 7:3 to 8:33. We have, therefore no certainty whether those manuscripts contained this section or not. It is found in above three hundred of the Cursive manuscripts, and above fifty more with an asterisk or other mark of doubt. Of versions, it is found in the Old Latin...and it is found in the Vulgate; while Jerome, to whom we owe that revision of the venerable Old Latin, states that in his time-the fourth century, and we have no manuscripts of an older date than that-this section was found 'in many manuscripts both Greek and Latin'."
"Turning now from external to internal evidence in favor of this section, it appears to us to be almost overpowering. Requesting the reader to recall the exposition of it, we confidently ask if historical authenticity is not stamped upon the face of it-admitting that some such incident as this might not be beyond invention-whether the very peculiar and singularly delicate details of it could be other than real. And if the question be, whether supposing it genuine, there were stronger motives for its exclusion, or if spurious, for its insertion? No one who knows anything of the peculiarities of the early Church can well hesitate. The notions of the early Church on such subjects were of the ascetic description, and to them the whole narrative must have been most confounding. Augustine accordingly says, 'Some of slender faith, or rather enemies of the true faith, have removed it from manuscripts, fearing, I believe, that an immunity to sin might be thought to be given by it." Nor was he alone in ascribing the omission of it to this cause. Such a feeling in regard to this section is sufficient to account for the remarkable fact that it was never publicly read along with the preceding and following context in the early Churches, but was reserved for some unimportant festivals, and in some of the service-books appears to have been left out altogether. In short, to account for its omission, if genuine, seems easy enough; but for its insertion, if spurious, next to impossible." (ibid., p.401)
They go on to say that some scholars try to place it following Luke 21:37-38 instead of in John 8.

One thing is absolutely certain: The One Who said the following, would never excuse or condone adultery.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Mat 5:27-28)
As it says in our passage:
“This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.”
I heard it suggested that what he wrote on the ground the first time was the actual law, that both the man and the woman were to be stoned. Then the second time He wrote the man’s name, perhaps even one of them among them.
It is curious that they, “went out one by one, beginning at the eldest” The older ones should have known not to have involved themselves in this.
Excusing adultery? No;
Seeing through and exposing their con-game? Yes.

[Dan Todd]

Charles - thank you for this weekend's devotionals!

[C4K]

Monday, 31st January, 2005

Have you ever seen a professional wrestling match? Back in the old days before it became so focused on sex and glamour it was loads of fun. I always remember Hulk Hogan. He was a BIG partially bald blonde headed guy who was champion of some sort year after year. I can’t count the number of times that Hulk as smashed on the mat, seemingly unable to move. All the other guy had to do was fall on him for a three count. Hulk was beaten, a new champion was about to be crowned, the crowd was screaming.
Then, the other guy would try to punish him. He would drag Hulk to his feet and really try to punish him. Hulk would barely be able to stand as his opponent slapped him or punched him in the face time after time. Hulk would stagger, barely able to walk, from corner to corner. Surely it was all over now. Hulk would go down to one knee, beaten and bedraggled.
Suddenly, from nowhere a change would take place. The other guy would slap Hulk for the finishing blow. But, wait, Hulk doesn’t go down! He begins to glare at the moment. Blow after blow has no affect on Hulk. He begins to straighten and continues to glare. He suddenly rips his shirt off and comes to life. He goes into a frenzy and within seconds the opponent is on the mat for a three count. Hulk Hogan is still the heavyweight champion of the world!
Now, I am not in favour of ripping off any shirts, but the rest of the illustration sets the stage for 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Paul and his missionary team have faced battle after battle, opposition after opposition, fight after fight. Surely they were like Hulk Hogan on the mat. Yet, they don’t give up. In these verse we find three reasons why they refuse to quit that we can apply our lives today:

We have a ministry v1-2
We have a gospel v3-6
We have a power v7-10

Over the next couple of days we will examine the idea of being "Knocked down, but not knocked out"

[Jim1999]

Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Tomorrow is commonly called Ground Hog Day in Canada and the USA. In several places, a groundhog is placed on the ground. A great host of people gather to watch the festivities. In Canada, the host is dressed in tails and full formal suit and top hat. He wears white gloves to handle Wiarton Willie, as the groundhog is named. If Willie sees his shadow and goes back into his den, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he dallys about and stays out, spring is just around the corner.

Many people actually believe in this prognostication. Some with great humour, others with firm resolution.

How often do we behave this way in the Christian walk? We lay hold on certain texts of scripture with great promise. This is good that we believe the scripture to be true. But do we? Have we just memorized these key texts and recall them to assure ourselves of something we are not really certain about? We say we believe and then behave as if those texts didn't exist. Perhaps February 1st should be the beginning of our actually beginning. Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief. Remember that key text? We believe, but we doubt, and we need Divine intervention to make us believe. Draw upn that Divine intervention to-day, and truly believe. With God all things are possible.

Cheers, and God bless,

Jim

[C4K]

Wednesday, 2nd February, 2005

We looked at the illustration of Hulk Hogan Monday as we introduced the concept of being “Knocked Down, but not Knocked Out” in our service for the Lord. Today we are going to examine the basis for this concept as found in verse 2 Corinthians 4v1.

Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.The first thing we note is the we HAVE a ministry. By the very fact that we are born again we are given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5v18). It is not something we need to consider or think about. We have the task of serving the Lord. In this dark world we have a ministry of introducing men to the Saviour.

Secondly we note that we all have received the mercy of God. Tyndale’s translation has"even as mercy is sure in us." God has shown us mercies that are new every morning and it is only by His mercy that we are not consumed. Because we have a ministry and because we have God’s mercy we then see the first application of this:

“We faint not!” The NKJV says “we do not lose heart,” but I prefer the KJV here. The translators of the Geneva Bible included this note – “Though we are broken in pieces with miseries and calamities, yet we do not yield." writers used this phrase to describe a "faint hearted coward." In our service for God, and because of the mercy He has shown us we must have the determination that Paul had. In essence Paul is saying, “We DO NOT lose heart, we do not surrender, we do not quit.” There is no room for quitting in our service for God – we have a ministry, we have God’s mercy and we have a mission. Perhaps the words of at the Harrow School in 1941 will summarise our thoughts on this truth – “Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

[Jim1999]

Thursday, February 3, 2005

Two trains leave the La Salle station in Chicago at the same time. For seven miles they travel side by each. Then their tracks divide and turn in opposite directions. One for the west coast and the other for New York City. They ended with a continent separating them.

Two lads began life side by each. They lived next to each other and went to the same school together. They joined the same scout troop and did many things together. One, however, went to a gospel church and the other did not. One became a Christian and the other did not. Like the trains, they ended a continent apart. One on the route to heaven, and the other the slide to hell.

How carefully we must make the right decisions in our lives. We must choose Jesus on every turn.
This goes beyond our final destination. It determines how we will arrive and in what shape we will get there.

Lord, lead us on and help us stand on that sure and certain foundation of Your word and truth throughout life.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Thanks guys. I thought of Jacob and Esau reading your post Jim.

[C4K]

Friday, 4th February, 2005

Oft times I post devotions here which the Lord has used in my own heart. They may be only for me, and if that is the case I want to share with you what God is doing for me. However, I think that sometimes others may be going through the same, or a similar situation, and if so, may these thoughts be of help to another.

Todays thoughts are for those who may be involved in a long, slow, challenging ministry where you see little or any results. Maybe it is a mission field, maybe it is a church plant, maybe a church which is not only not grwoing, but declining, maybe a children's work where are you can see if troublesome children week after week.

Whatever the situation, perhaps we can all he challenged by the words of William Carey. I found these in a biography by his grandson, Pearce Carey.

The year is 1799. The work has been very slow for years. He only has two 'gleams of hope.' Carey pens these words to two of his friends.

I am almost grown callous, and am tempted to preach as if their hearts were invulnerable. But this dishonours the grace and power of God, Who has promised to be with His minsters to the end; and it destroys all energy, and, and makes preaching stupidly formal.May we, like Carey realise the danger of ever drawing back from the energy which first drove us to our minstries. May we never dishonour the grace and power of God. May our preaching and sharing never become "stupidly formal."

[Watchman]

One thing you may never know. The seed planted (God's Word) that you sowed may take years to take hold and bear fruit. Maybe someone, who heard a message from you years ago, may just now be asking, "What did that preacher say?"

[Watchman]

Saturday February 5, 2005

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(John 8:12)
Jesus teaching in the temple: I am the Light of the world.
This is the second of the great "I Am" declarations of the Lord Jesus. Each one proclaims a truth of His Deity. The others are listed below:
John 6:35 "I am the bread of life."
John 10:7 "I am the door of the sheep."
John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life."
John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
John 15:1 "I am the true vine."
"I am the light of the world" is the public declaration of what was presented by the writer, John, back in chapter one 1:9 "(Jesus) was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Both verses refer back to Isa. 9:2: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." So, as we saw in the last of chapter 7, Jesus was the "great light" which would come to Galilee of the nations. Jesus is trying to paint a picture to the crowd gathered in the temple. Twenty four times in the pages of John the word "light" is used and five times the Master contrasts light and darkness in the same verse. The children of Israel wanted to think of themselves as being enlightened, while the heathen were in darkness. But Jesus declares that all mankind is in darkness needing His light for salvation.
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
(John 8:13-20)
8:13-20 The Pharisees challenge Jesus
Though the Pharisees which had accused the woman had left when confronted by Jesus as He wrote on the ground, other Pharisees were still in the crowd listening to Jesus.
Dr. McGee states "There is now a sharp conflict between the religious rulers and Christ. They are really accusing him of boasting when He proclaimed to be the light." (p. 416)
So they try to rebuke Him, declaring Jesus' "record (witness) is not true." The Master's response is three-fold:
1.) "I know whence I came and whither I go." The scientists of today can't answer either of those questions.
2.) "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." Notice that Jesus came the first time, not as a judge, but as a Saviour! But realize that the next time He comes, it will be as the judge of all! The Pharisees were always wanting to judge others, but judging in the flesh is always imperfect. We never have all the facts. When an umpire makes a cal, he has only one set of eyes to use to do it.
Again, Dr. McGee declares: "Our judgement is limited because we simply do not have all the facts. The theory of evolution is an example of this. Because our judgements are based on very fragmentary facts, they really are speculation. Either man accepts speculation or he accepts revelation."
(p. 417) Jesus judgement is "true" because it is from God's complete and perfect viewpoint.
3.) His third response is that the Father has borne witness of Him.
Now the Pharisees ask, "Where is thy Father?" They know that Jesus is speaking of someone other than Joseph, the carpenter. Jesus doesn't evade the question, but rather He shows the real issue, that is, any true knowledge of His Father comes by knowing the Son. The writer, John, also gives us the details that during the conversation, Jesus had moved to the treasury of the temple. With the multitude of guards in the treasury, yet "no man laid hands on Him, for His hour was not yet come." Furthermore, the treasury was located in the women's court, "This was where they brought the woman taken in adultery." (McGee, p.418)
The JFB Commentary states that the treasury was a, "division, so called, of the fore-court of the temple, part of the court of the women (Joseph, Antt.xix.6.2,&c.) which may confirm the genuineness of vv.2,11, as the place where the woman was brought." (p.402)

[Watchman]

Sunday February 6, 2005

Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him.
(John 8:21-30)

For those who say that Jesus never claimed to be God, fasten your seat belts because the conversation is going to get rough! First, Jesus gives note to the brevity of time left in His mission. The cross is just a few months ahead. He declares, "I go My way." This was His message back in 7:33 when He also declared to the religious crowd, "ye cannot come." As in the first time, the Jews had no clue what He was talking about, wondering where He could hide. "Will He kill Himself?" They, being blinded by sin, have no spiritual insight whatsoever.
Notice that in between Jesus' two truths in 8:21 there is another statement that went right over their heads: "and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins." They are so blinded by sin that they don't even realize what Jesus was saying to them. So Jesus tries to be very clear: "Ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world. I said unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am HE, ye shall die in your sins." Can Jesus be more plain than that? They are from beneath, namely, this earth, while He is from above, that is, heaven. Many people who are not citizens of the U.S. are allowed to live and even work here. The are called aliens, while natural born residents are called citizens. (Contrast this dual citizenship status of some missionaries.) We cannot be both citizens of heaven and earth. As a child of God, we have become a citizen of heaven and therefore an alien of this present world. We are strangers and pilgrims (see John 15:19, 17:14, Eph. 2:6, Phil. 3:20, Heb. 11:13 and 1Peter 2:9-11).
Now Jesus takes another step forward in 8:24 as He declares: "for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." He explains the reason for their ultimate death-unbelief in Jesus, the chosen One of God. Notice that Jesus uses the phrase: "I am He."
The JFB Commentary states: "They knew well enough what He meant. But He would not, by speaking it out, give them materials for a charge for which they were waiting." (p.402).
Several Old Testament passages describe God using the phrase "I am He." Deut. 32:39:
"See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand." Also Isa. 43:10-15,25; 48:12; 52:6.
The Jews respond by asking, "Who art thou?" But Jesus knew their intent. If they could catch Him off-guard and He say the wrong word they would have the means to accuse Him. Jesus replies that His message has not changed since the beginning of His ministry, and He is following the will of Him "that sent Me." Verse 8:27 is a sad one as it shows to us what education without salvation can do. These Pharisees claimed to be full-time students of the Scriptures, yet they didn't recognize God in the flesh or even His message! Their study had become rituals of memorizing dogmas and traditions of men rather than meditating upon the actual Word of God from the Father they said they worshipped.
Jesus now turns to the unbelievers in the crowd and declares: "When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He." (8:28). They are blinded by pride, dead in trespasses and sins. They are not going to understand spiritual things until they see the sign of Jonah, or the sign given to Nicodemus: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." (3:14). The cross is the great sign that shows Who He is and why Jesus came from Heaven. Many of these same people would believe once they understood the gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:36: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 6:7: "And the word of God increased; and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."
Also, please notice that whenever Jesus speaks about the Cross in John, He uses the phrase Son of Man. John 12:32: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
This is reference back to Daniel's vision in which the Son of Man came to the Ancient of Days (God) and was given dominion over all the earth. Daniel 7:13-14: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people , nations and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Now Jesus turns to them who had trusted in Him and said, "If ye continue in My word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Are you free today? Not free to do as you please, but free from sin, having the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in your life.
My friends, that is ultimate freedom!

[Jim1999]

Monday, February 7, 2005

A young lad worked for a farmer. Often when the farmer told him to do something, he would ask, "Why?" This annoyed the farmer. One day the farmer handed the lad a market basket and said, "Go down by the creek and fill this basket with water. The lad asked, Why?" The old man replied, "None of your whys. I am paying you for your time, and you do as you are told. The boy went to the creek, waded in and began to fill the basket with water. When he lifted the basket, the water ran out. Disgused he said, The water just runs out. It won't hold water." "Dip it again." Said the farmer. Again, the water ran out. "Fill it again." The lad replied, "I'll fill it again, but if the water runs out, I am done. You'll not make a fool of me."

The lad filled the basked and sure enough the water ran out. He flung the basket up on the meadow. The farmer walked over, picked up the basket and held it up to the sun. "Sure enough," said the farmer. It is now clean enough to be used for market.

God wants His children to be clean, and we are made clean by the washing of the word. What we need is daily, thoughtful, careful, prayerful reading of the word....without question. God will bless us with the quiet time we spend with Him each day.

Cheers,

Jim

[following-Him]

Thank you Jim,

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

How true Jim, thanks.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 8th February, 2005

Do you ever feel like you are constantly in a battle? Paul did - he talks in Romans 7 about his consistant battle of the flesh. It seems like we never get over that battle. I found this recently in a book of Puritan prayers and devotions.

From The Valley of Vision
I am always going into a far country, and always returning home as a prodigal, always saying, Father, forgive me, and Thou are always bringing forth the best robe.My heart was stirred as I read this. As often as we wander, our Father is always there for us. What great love is this? He never gets tired of welcoming us home.

May we get to the point where we cease wandering. May we say with the writer above

Every morning let me wear it, every morning return in it, go out to the day's work in it, be wound in death in it, stand before the great white throne in it, enter heaven in it shining as the sun.Help us Lord, to ever be clothed in that wonderful robe of our Father's love, never shirking it for the vile garb of the world.

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

To-day is Ash Wednesday. Yesterday, following the church calendar, was pancake day. The last meal before Lent and the forty days of fasting and prayer. A plate of simple pan cakes. Whilst to-day begins the fast, most to-day will continue as normal.

As I was thinking about Ash Wednesday and what it means, I thought about the great hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. She was blind from childhood. A pianist played a tune she had just composed and asked Miss Crosby to pen some words for it. She listened carefully and then said, "That music says, Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Crosby then penned:

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood."

Crosby always thought of her handicap as a blessing. When she was asked why she thought her blindness was such a blessing, she replied, "You see, when I get to heaven the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be the face of my saviour."

She had a point, and what an attitude! How often do we feel sorry for ourselves when the slightest calamity comes our way. We ought to close our eyes and look on Him and catch a glimpse of His beautiful face. What a difference it would make in our lives.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Thursday, 10th February, 2005

Continuing on thoughts of our sinfulness and our Father’s love we read these words, once again from The Valley of Vision.

Grant me never to lose sight of
the exceeding sinfulness of sin,
the exceeding righteousness of salvation,
the exceeding glory of Christ,
the exceeding beauty of holiness,
the exceeding wonder of grace.If only we could remember these aspects of sin when we are faced with temptation. Even the first, if we could only remember the exceeding sinfulness of sin it would repulse us in its ugliness. If we remembered the righteousness of salvation we would be turned from the “wrongness” of our sin. If we could see the glory of Christ crucified and resurrected we would be disgusted by the sin which has such a draw on us. If we remembered the beauty of holiness we would remember the call of the Lord to “be ye holy for I am holy.” Finally, the true wonder of the grace of God. “Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than ALL my sin.”

Father, help us today, in the allure of our 21st century world, to remember the thoughts of this 17th century brother.

[Jim1999]

Friday, February 11, 2005

There are some who would doom all scientists to Hell. When Sir Michael Faraday, the renown chemist and physicist (1791-1867) was on his death bed, some fellow scientists questioned him about his guesses and speculations about eternal things, his soul and death. "I know nothing about speculations. I am resting on certainties. I know the One who is able to keep me unto that day."

Here was this scientific mind who knew spiritual values. There is no excuse for those who would deny the Christian religion because they are scientists. When examined rightly there is a cohesion between the two fields. How much more so for those of us of lesser minds so far as scientific matters are concerned. We ought not to fear these disciplines, but face them head on and direct in the light of scripture and our personal experience with the living Christ.

Lord lift us up and let us stand.................and know where we stand.


Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Saturday February 12, 2005

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(John 8:31-32)

Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias spoke of a major college university (possibly Iowa or Ohio State) which has their slogan taken from John 8:32. They think that education will lead them to the truth, which will set them free. But, as Ravi said, they didn't know the preceding verse! Truth doesn't come by education, but by continuing in God's Word, the Bible. Study and obedience of the Word of God will make you disciples, which will make you free. God's principle: Freedom through service (Romans 6:18).

One may come to a mental acceptance of certain facts about God and deceive himself into thinking he believes on Christ, but the genuineness of that faith needs to be tested before it is judged as real. "You believe that there is one God, you do well. Even the demons believe-and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19-20). Works, of course, do not save one's soul, but the faith that does save is a faith that produces good works.
An earlier group of listeners, back in chapter 2, also had a type of faith that does not save:
"Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during this feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man." (John 2:23-25) It is essential that we believe on Him, but even more essential that He believes on us!
The test is simple. If we continue in His word, then we are real disciples.
John would write in his first Epistle:
(1Jo 2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Our dedication to Christ is measured by our obedience to His word. If we question His word, or resent His word, or try to avoid obeying His word, by "interpreting" some preferred meaning of our own into His word, then we urgently need to examine the genuineness of our belief in Christ.
If we are His disciples and do continue in His word, then He makes this wonderful promise "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." As true disciples, we have His assurance that our continuing studies in His word will yield an ever-increasing comprehension of God's created and revealed "truth," with ever-growing freedom to understand and obey the perfect will of God.

[Watchman]

Sunday February 13, 2005

They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
(John 8:33-47)

Which father? God, Abraham or the Devil?
In response to Jesus' statement, the Pharisees spoke up and said: "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" (8:33) They spoke of physical slavery to men, while Jesus explains that "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (8:34) The Apostle Paul would also explain such in Romans 6:14-23. Notice also that in 8:35 Jesus speaks of our inheritance. "And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever." Servants were considered to be temporary, with few obligations upon the master, but the sons and daughters "abide" being able to receive the master's inheritance. Jesus end the thought by declaring in 8:36, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Jesus continues the topic of father Abraham, but He makes a distinction between the Pharisees being Abraham's seed and having Abraham as their father. Jesus declares that neither Abraham or even God is their father because of their "deeds." The works of Abraham were works of faith (see Romans 4) And if they were truly of God, they would "love" Jesus, Whom God had sent. Now Jesus becomes very clear: They were the descendants of Abraham, yet he is not their father, and God is not their Father, no, they are of their father the Devil!
Jesus begins a list of evidence against them, the first being their "lusts." We don't know if this was a reference back to John 8:1-11 and the woman caught in adultery. The next piece of evidence to tie them to their real father, the devil, is that they were murderers. Jesus preaches a scathing rebuke of these Pharisees in Matthew 23:29-35, and mentions "Zacharias son of Barachias." (Zec. 1:1: Zechariah, the son of Berechiah."
Jesus recounts how they incriminate themselves, Matthew 23:31: "Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets."
If those witnesses against them isn't enough, Jesus declares that the devil "abode not in the truth" and they, when He told them the truth: "ye believe me not." The Master comes back to the promise given to the believers in 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Now Jesus closes the case with this key question: (8:46): Is Jesus speaking the truth or a lie? If all the Pharisees for months now had not been able to "convince (convict) Jesus of sin, then is He not speaking the truth? And if it is the truth, why are these Pharisees rejecting the truth? Their lack of obedience to God's words were indicting them that thy were "not of God!"

[C4K]

Monday, 14th February, 2005

Love. What is it? Why does the world give it one day a year?

I have noticed that as the years of my life have gone by the whole concept of love has changed. Whether we recognise or do anything about Valentine's Day or not it a reality that we all encounter. If we want a look at how love is viewed today all we need to do is to google "Valentine gifts." On second thought, that probably is not a good thing to do. For a vast majority of the world eros has become the main focus of love and that is clearly seen in how Valentine's Day is celebrated.

Yet we must not forget that "God is love." True love is therefore focused and centred on Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." "But God commendeth His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" "Love is of God..."

As we see all of the very commercial pictures of what the world calls "love" today may our thoughts be drawn to the God of all love,and may we be reminded of the great commandment. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger, there are three Greek words for love, and the world only cares about "eros."

[Jim1999]

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

This morning, I was wrestling with the age-old question of why do calamities happen to good people? Where is this good God, and if He is there, why does He let these things happen?

Early in my ministry, I encouraged new converts to read the Gospel by John and Paul's letter to the Romans. Get a foundation in theology; the basics of the gospel. I had small copies of the gospel in my coat pocket to had out.

As my ministry progressed, I switched to the book of Job. A must read for every new convert. They already know about salvation, and theology will not come that quickly. The basics of daily living and spiritual warfare will be faced every single day of one's life. This is what we find in Job.

It is commonly held that Job was probably the first book of the Bible, as we know it. The author is unknown. We have the witness of the word that Job was a real man. "There was a man in the land of Uz..." (Job 1:1) It is not a mythical story to relate a spiritual truth. We also learn straight off that Job "was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil." (1:1)

What we also learn is that Satan, a very real angel, is busy doing his thing, "going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down it." (1:7)

We also learn that there is a spiritual battle going on between God and Satan, and God will prove that His way is the only way and He will be vindicated in every way.

So a good man becomes the instrument in the hands of God through no fault of his own. In verse 9 Satan offers the key to the fore question: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" So, the expectation of prosperity because we believe in God is established in the evil minds of men.

There was never such a promise made. Once this key is embedded in our minds and hearts, never again will we challenge God on the why's and wherefore's of the Christian life. We often make our own sorrow, but there are times when these things are totally out of our control. If we have established who God is, then we have no problem with what God does.

As Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done." This is the lesson to be learned and we will then move on in our lives. "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." (42:12).

Lord, help us to understand more and more about You, so we may learn more and more about us, and we too may hear the words,,,,"my servant Job"....

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Wednesday, 16th February, 2005

I was recently watching a special on Irish television. The programme was called “Is Anyone Out There?” A reporter went to the streets of Limerick and asked people what they thought about God. The comments were varied. Some said they had nothing to do with God. Some said that they no longer needed God. The general feeling was that God is no longer important.

The wonderful thing is that no matter what man says God is still vitally involved today. He is still there and He is still in control.

Even sadder than the thoughts of these people is the thoughts of some Christians. When things get tough we are tempted to doubt God and His way. If prayers aren’t answered our way we tend to wonder why things happen the way they do. At other times we question God by our own behaviour, acting like we know better than God about how we should live.

A Puritan writer had a proper view about the true contrast between God and man. Listen to his words:

Thou inhabitest eternity, and
my life is nothing before thee:
Thou dwellest in the highest heaven and this cannot contain Thee;
I live in a house of clay.
Thy power is almighty;
I am crushed before the moth.
Thy understanding is infinite;
I know nothing as I ought to know.
Thou canst behold evil;
I am vile.How dare we ever question the eternal, heavenly, almighty, all knowing, holy God while we are nothing, flesh bound, powerless, foolish, and vile.

May we never forget Who He is and who we are.

[Jim1999]

Thursday, February 17, 2005

In the coal mines of England, there was a stone known as the "Sunday Stone". During the work week, the coal dust settled on this stone and mixed with the flow of fresh water it became coated and looked like coal.

On Sunday, when the mine was closed, the fresh water washed the stone clean. It was a reminder of what Sunday, a day of worship, meant. We took time to cleanse oursleves from the dirt and grime of the world. It is good to set aside a time just for this.

Lord, help us to take time to be holy.

Cheers,

Jim

[following-Him]

Thank you Jim,

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

Friday, 18th February, 2005

"Duties Left Undone"

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9v10

As I read Christian biographies and as I talk to folks I find that one of the greatest challanges and most convicting aspects of our service is that of leaving tasks undone. Solomon reminds us in the passage above of the importandce of doing whatever we do "with all our might." Colossians 3v23 adds - "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"

As servants of the Most High God we are called to service. Yet how often, because we have our priorities confused do we lay our heads on the pillow realising that we have left the most vital tasks undone?

One of the Puritan writers knew the feeling well as he wrote;

When I leave duties undone, may condemning thought strip me of pride, deepen in me devotion to service, and quicken me to more watchful care.May today be a day of full service for each of us, may we lay our heads on our pillows tonight without regret for "duties undone."

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger and Jim for the uplifting words.

[Watchman]

Saturday February 19, 2005

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
(John 8:48-59)
Jesus is greater than Abraham
The Pharisees respond by name calling. They have no justification to say that Jesus was a Samaritan; they knew His earthly parents of Mary and Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth. Neither did they have any grounds to say that Jesus "hast a devil." The Master denies the charges, but He also goes one step further. He declares: "If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death." (8:51) This statement gets the Pharisees attention as they try to comprehend all that it suggests. They realize that Jesus is claiming to be greater than Abraham or the prophets. Some of the prophets had raised the dead, yet those same prophets all died. They ask "whom makest thou thyself?"
Jesus is careful to answer this question. He is careful to note that what He is about to say will be to God's glory, not His own honor. Secondly, He can not deny His knowledge of the Father. Such a denial would make Him a liar like them. He declares: "But I know Him, and keep His saying." (8:35) Now Jesus drops a bombshell! "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (8:56) This really messed them up! How could Jesus, who was less than 50 years old, know what Abraham was thinking hundreds of years ago? He responds clearly and boldly: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am" (8:58) They understood clearly when Jesus used the phrase "I am", that He was comparing Himself to the great "I AM", namely the LORD, Jehovah. Exodus 3:13: "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; they shall say to me, What s His name? What shall I say unto them? 14 And God said to Moses,
I AM THAT I AM:
and He said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
(See 10:30; 14:9,1; 17:21-23; Phil 2:6) Note that though they wanted to stone Him, He passed through the midst of them.
This again shows Who is in control. No one could do anything to Him until it was the time appointed by God.

[Watchman]

Sunday February 20, 2005

Chapter 9

The Man Born Blind

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
(John 9:1-3)

Mankind has always found it easy to fall into the trap of thinking that suffering of any sort is due to sin. The classic example is found in the replies of Job's three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar in the Book of Job.
To be sure, much suffering is due to sin, and even after repentance and forgiveness, scars may remain. Furthermore, evil and its attendant grief surround us. Our civilization is plagued by sin and its evil fruits-some of which reach even the most godly Christian. Indeed, "...the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Romans 8:22) This is a result of the curse brought about by sin. If there had been no sin, there would have been no suffering.
But this does not imply that all personal suffering stems from personal sin. The blind man was the way he was to bring glory to God, as we are told. Although many at the time failed to recognize "the works of God" when this man was healed, countless millions have glorified God throughout the centuries for this act of creation.
Now it could be asked, how could God have been glorified in this grown man's life of blindness up until his healing? Actually, all life is a miracle, even the single-celled amoebae. Nothing living could possibly have arisen by accident, and, as such, does testify to the marvelous "works of God." In this case, the item of interest was a human being, being complete with fully functioning organs and systems. Even though he could not see, he could smell, taste, hear, speak, touch, move, walk, think, etc. This could not be the result of time and chance acting on "primeval slime," as the evolutionist would claim. Any living system points to a loving Designer. Those who "willingly are ignorant" (2Peter 3:5) of such facts are more blind than the Pharisees.
The chapter opens with a continuation from the last scene, as we have Jesus departing from the temple, "going through the midst of them, and so passed by." Again the key is that Jesus was not ready to die and this crowd desired to stone Him. So Jesus, in full control of the situation, departs through the midst of them. Dr. Oliver B. Greene declares: "He came to be lifted up on a cross, not to be stoned to death. So He withdrew-apparently a miraculous withdrawal, for He passed 'through the midst of them' without being seen. Because of His omnipotence and His Omniscience, He could walk through a crowd without being detected. The two disciples who walked with Him on the road to Emmaus saw Him-and yet they did not see Him. Luke 24:16 tells us that 'their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.' (see also Luke 4:30)." (p.62-63)
The ninth chapter will deal with one topic: the healing of a blind man. Its purpose is to again show the Deity of Christ and that He is the Messiah, Who would come with signs proving His position as equal with God. Isiah 29:18: "And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."
The chapter begins "And Jesus passed by." He was not hiding in the woods for fear, but is busy about His Father's work. Notice also as the blind man is introduced we are told that he was "blind from his birth." This is important as the later miracle cannot be excused as a cataract or some other coincidental happening. This man had never seen before he met Jesus! In addition, realize that Jesus went to the blind man, not as Bartimaeus, who cried out for Jesus. We clearly see the plan of God, a divine appointment, as in the case in chapter four.
This blind man didn't realize it yet, but he had been born blind, so that on this day he would meet Jesus and become part of history!
But realize that some afflictions are the result of our sins:
Gal 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." The drunkard will reap as the poison eats away at his body.

[Jim1999]

Monday, February 21, 2005

A traveller in China asked a native is he had ever read the gospel. "No," he replied, "but I have seen it. I have seen a man who was the terror of his neighbourhood, with his curses and terrible temper. He was an opium smoker, a criminal and as dangerous as a wild beast. The Lord Jesus made him gentle and good, and he has left off opium. No, I have not read the gospel, but I have seen it, and it is good!"

There is an old saying, "Your life speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you are saying." We can boast of reading the greatest tomes about the gospel, but if we do not live them, what is their worth?

Lord help us to make our "book" open to all and let it be clear in content and expression.

Cheers,

Jim

[following-Him]

A very necessary lesson for all of us.
Thank you Jim,

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

Tuesday, 22nd February, 2005

Like many of us I have been following the prayer request thread concerning Matthew Prince for the last two and a half weeks. (PRAYER THREAD (http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/26/1965.html?))

I listened to Pastor Prince's message to his church from last Sunday morning ( BEREA CHURCH (http://www.bereachurch.org)) in which Pastor Prince mentioned that before he left the hospital Saturday Matthew had squeezed his hand and that he was asking the Lord for another hand squeeze when he got back to the hospital on Sunday. The Lord answered that prayer and Matthew's surgery Monday morning at this stage appears to have gone well.

This got me to thinking about the importance of a simple hand squeeze. How often have we squeezed the hand of a spouse or child just as assurance of our presence and an private acknowledgment that everything is going to be okay?

The wonderful thing is that when we go through trials, even as severe as the one Matthew and his family are facing, God is there to give us a hand squeeze. God gave me this passage during a trial in our lives, when things seemed dark for us. "Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed for I am the God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 40v10) In the next chapter God makes the ilustration even clearer - "I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand and will keep thee..." (Isaiah 41v6).

Oh what comfort in trials. Not all of us will be called upon to endure the kind of trial the Prince family is going through at the moment. We can know, however, that no matter what the trial is the Lord is there to give us His Divine, loving hand squeeze.

Our gracious Father, please be with this family, and all those who are hurting at the moment. May they be aware of Your hand squeeze of comfort in their lives.

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

An artist was engaged to paint a picture of a dead church. To the surprise of most, he did not paint an old, tottering ruin of a church ediface.
He painted a most modern of buildings with all the fancies that we consider cute and attractive in a modern church building. Just inside the handsome entrance, he painted the collection boxes. Over the box marked for missions, he painted the usual slot for donations, but then painted a cob web completely covering that slot. A sure sign of a dead church. Where there is no vision, the people perish.

The great commission is not new. It is part and parcel of the gospel. We must never lose sight of what we are to do. If we cannot physically "go" then we can surely "give" so that the able bodies can go.

Lord, let us never lose the significance of the cross and that its very structure points in all directions; the very thing we must do in life.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Thursday, 24th February, 2005

Pray ye the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth labourers into the harvest."

A dear Irish Christian friend sent us a reminder of these words this week. Her thoughts were spurred by Oswald Chambers who wrote about the mundane work of the labourer.

Our friend wrote this, "My dad is a builder so I saw plenty of labourers at work - none of them wore fancy clothes or had well manicured hands. No, they got right down in the dirt and got it on their clothes. They got covered in sweat and developed muscles and when the job was finished nobody noticed them - but without them the house would never have been built.

Be encouraged, the end is not yet."

May the words of this precious saint remind us of the reality of our labours. It is the labourers who get the work done, not many noble, not many wise, not many mighty - but the foolish, the weak, and the base are whom God most often uses.

Father, may we be "common" labourers for You today.

[Jim1999]

Friday, February 25, 2005

A blind beggar was busy playing his violin in the street whilst hoping to receive some money. He played rather poorly and couldn't attract any attention. A young lady was passing by. She went over and asked if she could play his violin. She was an accomplished musician and soon had a rather large crowd and the beggar's cup was filling with coins. Her face began to radiate with joy in her labours.

There is great joy in the service of the King, and doing for others what they cannot do for themselves. Is this not how it ought to be in the Lord's army? Sometimes when I look over the congregation I wonder if I missed the church auditorium.

Let us always show a smile. The smile is contagious and we ought not fear to pass it on.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Saturday February 26, 2005

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. (John 9:4-21)

Many of our diseases are self-inflicted by the way we treat our bodies, yet some afflictions are from the hand of God. God allowed Satan to attach Job's body and the Apostle Paul was given a "thorn in the flesh." Each instance, God used it to His glory. Ex. 4:11: "And the Lord said unto him, (Moses) Who hath made man's mouth? Or Who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord?" Going a step further, realize that all disease is the result of sin When God created everything, He said it was "very good." But when sin entered the garden, the curse brought disease, sorrow and death. James 1:15: "...and sin, when it s finished, bringeth forth death."
Now let's look at this blind man. Jesus makes mud and anoints the eyes of the blind man and commands him to wash in the pool of Siloam. Jesus exits as the scene turns to the pool as the blind man receives his sight. The excitement gathers a crowd, who then, in turn, wonder how this miracle occurred. This is one of three instances where Jesus used spittle in healing. (See also Mk. 7:32-35; 8: 22-25). Did Jesus have to use the spittle and the clay? No. He could have spoke the word, but many times God uses things as instruments of service. God used a smooth stone to kill Goliath, He used Aaron's rod, Elijah's mantle, the widows oil. We too can be used for God's work.
Soon he is taken to the Pharisees and another detail is revealed, the miracle occurred on the Sabbath day. Because Jesus is involved, the man is interrogated as a criminal, yet he clearly explains that Jesus was the source of his healing and that "He is a prophet." For the first time division is shown among the ranks of the Pharisees. Some judge that Jesus can't be from God as He doesn't keep the Sabbath as they interpret it, while others recognize the power of these miracles could only come through God's blessings. Now some began to question whether he was really born blind or if it was somehow the result of other circumstances that could be excused. Some people have ailments due to shock or other maladies. But the parents confirm that he was born with this affliction. There was no doubt, this was from the hand of God!

[Watchman]

Sunday February 27, 2004

These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
(John 9:22-34)

Notice the apprehension of the parents during this inquisition. They were very careful to not say too much and become excommunicated from the synagogue. But the healed man isn't worried about the opinions of the Pharisees. Whenever he gets a chance, he preaches the truth of the matter. Notice their conversation: 9:24: "Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner." These Pharisees have already judged the Saviour as a "sinner", yet in their last face to face encounter with Jesus, they were silent when He challenged them, "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" (8:46). The healed man here replies, "Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." (9:25). After the Pharisees ask the healed man what happened for the "nth" time, he questions their sincerity: "I have told you already, and you did not hear: wherefore will you hear it again? Will you also be His disciples?" (9:27) The flustered Pharisees revile him claiming to be Moses' disciples, but again he avoids a religious argument and reminds them of the facts: "Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, He could do nothing." (John 9:30-33).
Realize that these Pharisees believed that God performed miracles through men. The Apostle Paul used this fact to his advantage when he pleaded his case: Acts 23:6 "But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, of the hope of the resurrection of the dead am I called in question. 7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. The religious leaders cast him out by their anger, yet he had won the argument!

[following-Him]

Amen! Thank you Charles.

Blessings

Sheila

[C4K]

Monday, 28th February, 2005

"For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do" (Romans 7v15, NKJV)

We all find ourselves in this cycle at times. Why do I do the things I do? What don't I do the things that I know I should do?

One of the great enemies of living for the Lord is self-will. Self will often takes over despite our best efforts. A puritan writer had this mind as he penned these words:


</font> When Thou wouldst guide me I control myself</font></font> When Thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.</font></font> When Thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself</font></font> When I should depend on Thyy providings I supply myself,</font></font> When I should submit to the Providence I follow my will</font></font> When I should study, love, honur, trust Thee, I serve myself</font>Not only did he recognise his weakness, but he also saw the solution as we called out to God:

Take away my roving eye, curious ear, gredy appetite, lustful heart; show me that none of thesethings can heal a wounded conscience, or support a tottering frame, or uphold a departing spirit.Then take me to the cross and leave me there.Father, help us to spend time daily at the foot of the cross with just a glimpse of all that you have done for us. Help us to see the crucified Christ and remind us that the old man is crucified with Him.

[Jim1999]

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Happy St. David's Day to all our Welsh friends.

To-day, I was busy blowing snow from our laneway and forgot that it was my turn to write a devotional. Ths reminded me, how easy it is to forget the things of God as we go about our daily chores in life. We become busy doing the physical and mental things of life, and put off the spiritual things. Is it a question of priorities? Or is a question of doing those things which come first in importance to life? I submit that it is neither at given times. We have obligations in life, and one does not supercede the other. But it is a reminder that we ought never to forget the order of importance in one's life.

May we never forget to put the Lord first in all things.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Priorities, how important it is to have them in order. Thanks Jim.

[C4K]

Wednesday, 2nd March, 2005

Why do you serve God?

Simple enough question, isn't it? We could come up with many answers.

</font> Because its my job, I'm a preacher.</font></font> I want my church to grow.</font></font> The Bible tells me to do so</font>
Sadly, if we were honest they might be some more subtle, hidden reasons.

</font> If I don't, Pastor will be knocking on my door.</font></font> I don't want to look bad.</font></font> It makes me feel good to do my part.</font></font> I want to be considered a success.</font></font> If I serve God He will bless me.</font>
God's Word is very clear on what our motivation should be. In 2 Corinthians 5v14 we read:
For the love of Christ constraineth us...I love this old King James word "constraineth." It may not mean much to our 21st century ears and it may roll roughly off the tongue, but I think it captures best the meaning that Paul intended under the Holy Spirit's direction. Some versions use "control" or "compel" and I suppose they are fine, but I prefer this word "constraineth." The old Webster's dictionary defines it this way, "To compel or force; to urge with irresistible power, or with a power sufficient to produce the effect." I heard a preacher one time describe this word with the idea of water being forced through a tight channel. The idea is the thing which "pressures" us to serve the Lord.

One of the worst pressures we can put on ourselves to serve the Lord the self pressure. If we ever put the wrong kind of pressure on ourselves to serve we will not live up to the expectations.

However, if we are driven, compelled, and pressured by the love of Christ we learn to just keep on serving. When we have that kind of "constraint" we will never stop serving. We are driven not by a cruel taskmaster, but by the love of Christ, the same love that resulted in Him being "...moved with compassion on them, because they fainted..."

Lord, remind us of what is our constraining force. Help us to be driven on by His love, not by human pressure, not by peer pressure, not by self pressure, but by the love of Christ, through which He gave Himself for us on the cross.

[Jim1999]

Thursday, March 3, 2005

This word from Spurgeon on prayer:

Prayer pulls the rope below, and the great bell rings abve in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give an occasional pluck atthe rope; but he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might.

George Mueller prayed for 38 years before he saw a friend's son come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. How do we set our prayer clock?

Cheers,

Jim

[following-Him]

Thank you Jim,

Prayer is so important in the Christian life and walk. It is sad that we needed to be reminded of it.

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

Friday, 4th March, 2005

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we this judge, that if one died for all, then are all dead.2 Corinthians 5v14

Lets pause for just a minute and see what the we are being told here. We are motivated, compelled, indeed constrained by the love of Christ. Just how great is this constraining love? His love was so great that He died on the behalf of all mankind.

How should we respond to this great love? By seeing ourselves as dead now to the things and the appeal of the world around us. The translators of the Geneva Bible put it this way in their notes:

... that seeing he died for us all, who were dead when as we lived to ourselves (that is, while we were yet given to these earthly affections) we in like sort should consecrate our whole life which we have received from him, to him. That is, being endued with the Holy Spirit to this end and purpose, that we should meditate upon nothing but that which is heavenlyThese thoughts are not exclusive to this passage, "Since you are risen with Christ set your affection on things above," "...looking not on the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen," etc. This present world should have no appeal to those who are dead to the world. Paul wrote in Colossians, "You are dead and your life is hid with Christ with God," In Romans he writes, "Reckon, or account, yourselves dead to sin." In Colossians again we read, "You are dead to the rudiments of this world..."

If we are indeed dead men to the world, motivated and constrained to the things of the world, why does it have such a draw and appeal to us? Sadly, we too often allow ourselves to be drawn away and distracted by our flesh, which begs us to give it attention.

O Lord, help me today to see myself as dead to the rudiments of this world, rejoicing that my Saviour died allowing me to be dead to the world in Him.

[Watchman]

We are in the world, but the world is not home. Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Saturday March 5, 2005

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
(John 9:35-41)
Then Jesus comes to him in the presence of some of these same Pharisees and introduces Himself. Remember the blind man had heard Jesus' voice, but up to this point had not seen the Master. Now Jesus asks the most important question in this mans whole life: Does he believe on the Son of God?
Please note the difference between healing and salvation. Many people were genuinely healed of various ailments, yet few are recorded as actually accepting Jesus as their Saviour. The ten lepers save one, were too busy to thank the Lord for their new lease on life. The maniac of Gadera and Mary Magdalene were the exceptions. This man healed in John 9 is ready to believe and Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the Messiah. (9:37) Imagine the healed man's joy as he realizes that he is standing with Jesus, the Son of God! Verse 38 gives us the insight to the meaning of "worship". It is not a formal service we attend, but it is simply giving glory to God! Their is no certain level of emotion mentioned, rather the choice of honoring God above our own selves.
Now Jesus explains that as He comes to bring salvation and a home in heaven, there is also a negative side. Those who reject Him will find judgement because they are "blind" spiritually. This is true of the lost, for many consider themselves morally good, only needing a little help from God. Jesus makes clear that man apart from God is blind and unable to find heaven. A blind man in Jesus' day was totally dependent upon the mercy of others to live. Judgement will come to those who reject the "Light" and therefore continue to dwell in darkness. John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, either cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
The Pharisees that had followed Jesus now ask: "Are we blind also?" We don't know the sincerity of their question, but the answer is the same: since they were trusting in their own self-righteousness, instead of the work of God for their salvation, their self-righteousness was blinding them from seeing the first great requirement for God's salvation: their own sin. Let's contrast the 2 groups of blind people:
1) The blind man who the Pharisees said was "born in sins" (9:34) trusted Jesus' Word and received sight ("one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." (9:25)
2.) Now the Pharisees believed they were the true keepers of the light, but trusted in their own knowledge and keeping of the law, were blind to their own sin!

[Watchman]

Sunday March 6,2005

Chapter 10

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
(John 10:1-10)
Remember that the question Jesus answers here in chapter ten was asked by the Pharisees in 9:40: "Are we blind also?" Not only does Jesus affirm their thought, but He gives an example of the shepherd and the sheepfold. It is said that if you travel to Israel today, you could still see working sheepfolds. They are built by a city or group of shepherds to protect the sheep at night. Built of stones with sharp objects on top to deter thieves or wolves, it has only one opening in which the porter (a night watchman) guarded himself. This allowed the shepherds a night at home in their own beds for most of the year. By using a sheepfold, it was only during summer droughts that a shepherd would be forced to go long distances from home to find green pastures. Luke 2:8 speaks of "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Either it was poor shepherds who couldn't afford to pay a porter, or they were away from home in search of green pastures when the angels came. Now in the text Jesus takes this common object of a sheepfold and declares some truth about Himself. The first truth that Jesus presents s that He has come the proper way as the Good Shepherd. It is obvious to all that the door was the only right way to enter the sheepfold. It was the job of the porter to restrict access to only the true shepherds. Jesus came in the legal, proper manner as He fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. He was born in the town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); He was born of a virgin (Isa.7:14); of the seed of David (2Sam. 7:8-17); a rod out of the stem of Jesse (Isa. 11:1). J. Vernon McGee notes that "By the time Jesus came, the royal line of David had dropped back to the level of the peasant. There was no royalty anymore. Jesse had been a farmer down in Bethlehem. In fact, he raised sheep. His son, David, had the anointing oil poured on him, and that line became the kingly line. But when the Lord Jesus was born, He was just a branch out of the stem of Jesse, the peasant. Jesus was simply a carpenter and wore a carpenter's robe. How accurately prophecies were fulfilled!" (p.429) Only Jesus could come legally into the sheepfold. Not Abraham or even Moses!
Even these Pharisees, did not have God's authority to lead His people. They were as thieves and robbers preying on the sheep instead of nurturing and helping the people. Jesus described them in Mt. 23:13: "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
The second truth is that Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, knows His sheep. Shepherds lead their sheep while ranchers "herd" or push their cattle. He has gone before us, not asking us to go where He has not. It is a relationship, not just outward obedience that s the key. He knows each of us by name! To become a child of God you must have a personal decision to accept God's gift of eternal life which He paid for with the precious blood of Jesus. It is an individual decision. Grandma's salvation does not have a group policy that covers all the kids. You must accept Christ personally. Once you receive Him, John 1:12 promises: "But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." Also notice 10:4-5 that the sheep "know His voice." If you don't know for sure if you are saved, then you must not be one of His sheep! By the way, sheep are pretty dumb animals; they wander into dangerous places, but they still know His voice and when He gathers them back to the sheepfold, they will follow Him out. They will flee from "the voice of strangers." Someone who sits comfortably in a God-denying, liberal church ought to examine which voice they're following.
The third truth Jesus presents is that He is also the Door of the sheepfold. As the Door, Jesus is our access to the Father. Later He would declare "I am the way...no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Today, Jesus would be called narrow and intolerant of other religions. Baptists have historically stood for freedom of religion, yet they have never accepted the ecumenical call for unity at the expense of Biblical doctrine. Jesus is still the only way to heaven!

[Jim1999]

Monday, March 7, 2005

I was listening to a minister talking about people being happy in their religion. The end result of their belief in religion should be happiness.

I thought about C.S. Lewis, who said something to the effect: If happiness is all you want, a good glass of port will provide that. How true is that?

Happiness in scripture is never interpreted as that state of silliness we generally equate with happiness. We walk about with this silly grin the whole time, no matter what happens. Yet, in scripture it is often equated with the correction of God. Job 5, "Happy is the man whom God correcteth..." Now I remember well the times I have been corrected and I was not exactly happy about it. It drove me to reflection.

No, my friends, if all that religion delivers is a giddy happiness, something is badly missing. A glad heart is far different to a silly grin. We may have a glad heart even when we are down abot something or other. That is rooted in God, and not contingent upon who we are. It is instilled ny the Lord Himself. This happiness flows from within from being right with God.

I was glad in the presence of the Lord. Let this be our goal in our religious lives.

Cheers,

Jim

[C4K]

Tuesday, 8th March, 2005

We are not too far from St Patrick's Day, and this little poem attributed to him fits into our current discussion of 2 Corinthians 5v14-20.


Christ ever with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me
Christ within me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me
Christ to my right side,
Christ to my left side
Christ in his breadth,
Christ in his length,
Christ in depth
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me.
There is no real strong evidence that these are the words of St Patrick, but that does not detract from the thoughts expressed which I think really summarise 2 Corinthians 5v15, "And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again"

We find here another motivation for service tied in to the first motivation. We are constrained by the love of Christ, that is obvious. We should also be motivated by the result of that love - "He died for us..." What are you willing to do today for the One Who died for you?" What am I willing to do today for the One Who died for me?

Lord, remind us today of words attributed to St Patrick. May Christ be;
</font> In the heart of every man who thinks of me</font></font> In the mouth of every man who speaks of me</font></font> In every eye that sees me</font></font> In every ear that hears me</font>

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, March 9, 2005

There is no devotional to-day. I am taking an hiatus from writing devotionals for awhile. I am quite busy apart from this Board and I can only handle so much. Not as young as I once was.

Cheers, and God bless,

Jim

[following-Him]

Jim,

Thank you for all your contributions in this thread. I have found them a real blessing.

God Bless you,

Sheila

[Watchman]

Originally posted by followinghim:
Jim,

Thank you for all your contributions in this thread. I have found them a real blessing.

God Bless you,

Sheila Amen, I'll second that.

[C4K]

Thursday, 10th March, 2005


"Seeing others in a new light"

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 2 Corinthians 5v16

Here we read some memorable words. "Because of all the Christ has done, because we are dead to the world through Christ," Paul writes, "from now on we do not look at men after the flesh..."

O, how foreign that thought is to most of us. We tend to judge men by our first visible impression of them. We see a poor beggar on the streets and think "Why don't you get a job?" We may see a troublesome teenager and think, "What's wrong you, you little punk? Why don't you get your act together?" We see a pregnant girl considering abortion and may think, "You wouldn't be that way if you had any morals."

On the other hand we see someone of great wealth and influence and think, "Man, you have it all. I wish I had half of what you had."

Here we read of an entirely different mindset. What do you think it means to "see no man after the flesh?" From the context I think it is clear that we are to see men with the eyes of Christ. How did He see the world? We mentioned earlier that when Jesus saw the multitude, the dirty, smelly, filthy multitude, knowing that they would reject Him and call for His death, that He was "moved with compassion" for them.

Today Father, help us to the world of men, not through our eyes, but through eyes of our Saviour!


and I agree with the previous posters, Jim

[following-Him]

Amen. Thank you Roger.

God Bless

Sheila

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Roger!

[Watchman]

Saturday March 12, 2005

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
(John 10:11-14)
The Greek word used here for "Shepherd" is the same as for "pastor" The Lord Jesus, therefore was saying, in effect: "I am the good pastor: the good pastor giveth His life for the sheep (that is, 'for His flock')." A good pastor is, thus, one who leads his flock into good pasture, who knows his flock, and is known by his flock. A good pastor would even give his life for his flock (vv.1-16)
However, this is not merely a term for the leader of a church congregation. The term and the concept are sufficiently broad to include all those individuals (teachers, military officers, parents, etc.) who have leadership responsibilities.
In all such cases, our guide and example is our good shepherd, our good pastor, our good leader-the Lord Jesus Christ. With this in mind, consider some of the other Biblical references to our good shepherd: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away (1Peter 5:2-5)
Note also Hebrews 13: 20-21: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever."
Most every Christian, at least on occasion, must assume the function of a spiritual shepherd, and every Christian, always is spiritually a sheep. The Lord Jesus is our good shepherd, and we Do well to follow Him in all things.
Jesus gives a fourth truth from the example of sheep. The Master now reminds them of the difference between shepherds and hirelings. As the "Good Shepherd," Jesus is willing to die for His sheep while the hired worker cares not for the sheep, just for his own welfare. Look at the life of David, the young shepherd. He explained to king Saul how he defended the sheep. 1Sam. 17:34: "And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God." As the Good Shepherd, Jesus was willing to leave Heaven's glory and come to seek and save that which was lost. Also this verse reminds us that Jesus knew the bitter cup that awaited Him at the Cross. He knew that to redeem His sheep would cost His own precious Blood! Note: In our present text, He is the Good Shepherd; in Heb. 13:20 He is the Great Shepherd; and in 1Peter 5:4 He is the Chief Shepherd.

[following-Him]

Amen.

Thank you Charles.

Blessings

Sheila

[Watchman]

Sunday March 13, 2005

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:15)
Who is our shepherd? Is it Jesus, the good Shepherd? Is it the One who knows His sheep by name-the One who would care for His sheep even if it meant dying for their needs?
Or is it someone less loving; someone who might lead us in the paths of righteousness for a while but desert us when the going gets rough? Could it be one who would fail to recognize us in time of greatest need? Is it one who might not risk what it takes to bring us back from the brink of destruction?
Most of us, at some notable times in our lives-or even at periodic intervals or as a natural lifetime habit-get off the path of righteousness. As sheep tend to go their own ignorant ways, we continually err and fall into ruts of sin and foolishness.
(Psalm 38:3) There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
(Psalm 38:4) For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
(Psalm 38:5) My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
Perhaps at those times, more than at any other time, we look around for a shepherd, until we find one who will guide us towards security.
But in following a “shepherd,” other than the Good Shepherd, grave danger lurks. How do we really know who that person is in whom we trust? Whom does he follow? How firmly ingrained are his principles of righteousness? Is he controlled by self-interest too? Will he ever fail?
Anyone but the Good Shepherd will surely disappoint us and, eventually, lead us astray. Some may certainly point us in the paths of righteousness for a while, but none other than the Lord Jesus is meant to be the Shepherd. Everyone else certainly will fail, and at some time step off the right path.
(John 10:8) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Only the Good Shepherd is sinless, so only He can be our example and guide. Only He knows and loves His sheep fully. Only He is worthy to be followed. Only He can claim the place of our Good Shepherd.

[following-Him]

Thank you Charles,

God Bless you

Sheila

[C4K]

Monday, 14th March, 2005

This is St Patrick's Week. I thought this might be a good chance for us to get to know the real Patrick. Since we only have two of his works, I thought it best to go right to the source. This weeks thoughts will be taken from the first section of his Confessio, an essay written, as he put it, "I pray those who believe and fear God, whosoever deigns to look at or receive this writing which Patrick, a sinner, unlearned, has composed in Ireland, that no one should ever say that it was my ignorance if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God's good pleasure; but let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that - as is the perfect truth - it was the gift of God. This is my confession before I die."

Ego Patricius, peccator
I am Patrick, a sinnerWith these three words Patrick begins the account of his life, notice that he begins by acknowledging his status as a transgressor. This attitude is an attitude which shaped his life and ministry. Sadly, within a hundred years after his death his biographers had begun to attribute to him qualities of almost Christ-like proportion, crediting him with calling down fire from heaven, and walking on water, and even running the snakes out of Ireland.

Yet, at the very end, Patrick considers himself a sinner. Following those words above we read the following from his pen:

most unlearned, the least of all the faithful, and utterly despised by many."</font> most unlearned</font></font> least of the faithful</font></font> utterly despised by many</font>
Our first challenge from Patrick this week is his humility. Like Paul, he did not see himself as a great missionary, but the chiefest of sinners. May our hearts be challenged by his humility. As we serve the Lord may we see ourselves as sinners saved by the grace of God and truly be willing to serve Him. Our life is one of service. We may never receive the plaudits of men, our service may be difficult, and may we always acknowledge that all that we do, "is the gift of God."

[ March 14, 2005, 08:15 AM: Message edited by: DHK ]

[following-Him]

Roger,

Thank you for that message. How we tend to over complicate things, yet we are nothing except for His grace.

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

Wednesday, 16th March, 2005


After speaking of being carried away a slave to Ireland from his native Britain at the age of sixteen. Interesting to note that he felt like they deserved their captivity because they:
</font> Turned away from God</font></font> Did not keep God's commandments</font></font> Did not obey the priests who had reminded them of the need of salvation</font>.

He recognised that God had some reasons for the scattering:
</font> To show His wrath</font></font> To scatter them to the uttermost parts of the earth</font></font> To place Patrick, in his "littleness" among strangers.</font>
Ireland in those days was considered the "uttermost part of the earth. No one could imagine a land beyond Ireland. We of course are reminded of Acts 1v8 where we are instructed to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. Now in retrospect, Patrick could see what God was doing in allowing the captivity.

Notice what Patrick said next;
And there the Lord opened the sense of my unbelief that I night at last remember my sins and be converted with all my heart to the Lord my God...From here Patrick goes on to recount what God had done for him even before his salvation.

</font> Had regard for my abjection</font></font> Had mercy on my youth and ignorance</font></font> Watched over me before I knew Him</font></font> Guarded me and comforted me as a father would his son.</font>
Looking back at the end of his life Patrick could see the very hand of God working in his life to bring him to the point where he could recognise his sin and "be converted with all his heart" to the Lord.

How often do we pause to reflect on the mercy of God in protecting us before we were even saved? What a wonderful God, what a loving Father, what a glorious Saviour, Who in His Divine foreknowledge protected us in life and brought us to the point where we too could "be converted with all our heart to the Lord!"

[following-Him]

Amen!

Thank you Roger,

God bless

Sheila

[Jim1999]

Great Roger,

In the Anglican Church, where I grew up and found the Lord, we used the term "realized Christ", where to-day we say, "I was born again".

I like that term and used it throughout my ministry.

Cheers,

Jim

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger.

[Debby in Philly]

Good stuff about Patrick. I've come to appreciate him over the years, apart from all of the legends and stories.
I wish we non-high-church folks wouldn't be so afraid to see what we can learn from these dear "saints" of old, even if the high church folks have labeled them more special in a way we don't agree with. He is a prime example of one worth studying.

[C4K]

Friday, 18th March, 2005

Our last thought, for now, from Patrick comes from his Confessio right after his testimony of salvation. This stands alone as a challange to us today, almot 1600 years after Patrick lived:

Hence I cannot be silent - and indeed, I ought not to be - about the many blessings and the great grace which the Lord has deigned to bestow upon me in the land of my captivity; for this only can we give in return to God after having been chastened by Him, to exalt and praise His wonders before every nation under the heaven.With these words we are reminded of Jeremiah, when the word of God burned within him like a fire, so that he could not be silent. Oh waht could Patrick nor be silent?

</font> The great benefits of the Lord</font></font> The great grace of the Lord</font></font> To exalt and praise His wonders before every nation that is anywhere under the heaven</font>
Our last challange from Patrick during this week is this. Do we have a heart that cannot be silent about what God has doen for us?

Lord give us the heart of Patrick, which cannot be silent to a lost world around us!

[following-Him]

Amen.

Thank you, Roger.

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Sunday March 20, 2005

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17-18)
Jesus finishes the example of sheep and the Good Shepherd with an amazing statement. He, as the Son of God, is in control of His own destiny! No man a has ever been able to make that claim. The claim itself caused a great division as even His close disciples didn't have any understanding of His death and resurrection. The crowd before Jesus came up with two answers. Those who did not believe Him to be of God supposed Jesus to be a mad man (having a devil) and it would have been the correct assumption IF Jesus was not God! Others, who believed that Jesus was the Christ, didn't comprehend all that He said. But these believers realized the miracle (giving sight to a man born blind) could only be from God! Also please note that Jesus was adamant that He was in full control of His life and death. No man has ever been able to say that. Dr. McGee declares: "He makes it very clear that He gave His life willingly. He was in full control at His trial. Also, He set the time of His death. The Jews said it shouldn't be on a feast day lest there be an uproar, a riot of the people, but He was crucified on the feast day." (p.432)
There is a subtle change of scenes which is worth noting. In chapter 7 Jesus went to Jerusalem for the feast of the tabernacles which fell during the month of October. Chapters 8 & 9 occur just following that feast. But now we find Jesus coming back to Jerusalem for the winter feast of Dedication (our December). "This feast celebrated the time when Judas Maccabaeus delivered the temple from Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian, who had polluted it. This took place in 167 B.C. And it was still celebrated in our Lord's day." (McGee p. 433)
Before we continue let's get our bearings. It is December and Jesus is going to debate the Pharisees for the last time. In the spring Jesus will go to Jerusalem as the "Lamb of God" to take away the sin of the world! Jesus this day goes to Solomon's porch. (Acts 3:11; 5:12) Thomas Whitelaw states: "This cloister ran along the eastern wall on both sides of the gate of Susa; had three rows of columns 50' high and two walks 30' wide, the columns each of stone (white marble), the walks paved with stones of various colours, and the roofs adorned with sculptures of wood; was a survival from the Solomon temple; and stood over the Valley of Jehosaphat (Jos. Ant. Xv. 11,5 xx 9,7)
Dr. McGee said it was a place in the temple area where the Gentiles were allowed. (p. 433)
He is again confronted by these unbelieving Jews, who demand Him to speak plainly if He was the Christ. This clearly shows their spiritual blindness as many had seen, heard and believed. (A list of references here in John of people who declared that Jesus was the Christ: Andrew 1:41; Nathanael 1:49; the woman of Sychar 4:42; Peter 6:69; "Many" 7:41; the man born blind 9:38) Jesus plainly declares the problem is not His lack of witness or words, but their unbelief. He then goes back to example of the sheep from the previous encounter. As before, Jesus explains that He knows His own sheep and they follow Him. Now the Master adds two promises: eternal life and eternal security. Both of these promises are found throughout this gospel (see 3:16-18 3:36; 5:24; 6:35-47; 11:25,26). But this text is one of the best object lessons on eternal security in the Bible. It is clear that God does ALL the work for our salvation when our Lord Jesus died on the cross. (John 6:29; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 1John 5:12). The key issue of eternal security is who it is that keeps us saved. Is it man's responsibility to stay saved or God's work to keep us saved? In 10: 28,29 Jesus uses the example of clutching something precious in our hands like a rare coin or an important key. He states that it is His responsibility to keep us and that the Father is also involved n our keeping. Add to this fact, Eph. 1:13, 14 and 4:30 reveals that God, the Holy Spirit seals us and is our "earnest" (down payment) (2Cor. 1:22) "until the day of redemption." God began the work of salvation and will keep us until we graduate to glory!

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Charles. I'm so thankful that keeping my salvation is not my job. Because if it was - I wouldn't keep my salvation very long!

Dan

[C4K]

Tuesday, 22nd March, 2004

The story goes that there was once a young woman, whom we will call Grace. Grace married a handsome, dashing young man who swept her off her feet in her youth. After a marvelous honeymoon she and her husband returned home. Grace was excited about her new life until this first morning that Jim went to work. As he kissed her good bye he handed her a paper saying, "Here is what I expect from you." Caught off guard she encountered an impossible list of requirements for the day. Although she worked her hardest, when Jim came home she wasn't even half way through the list. "This simply won't do he said." After a few hours of television he went to bed with no further conversation. As he left the next morning, this time with no kiss, he said, "Don't forget the list." And so it went. His comments became more and more harsh. Grace felt worthless and unloved. Years went by in this vein, Jim demanding, Grace trying and failing. Finally, Jim was killed in a car accident on the way home from work.

After a time Grace met another man. They got to know each other and were eventually married. As Dave left for work the first day he said, "I love you sweetheart, see you this afternoon." No rules, no demands, no list. Grace set to work about the house doing the things that needed done. And so it went, Dave telling Grace how much he loved her and Grace taking care of the house.

Several months passed. One day Grace was cleaning out the dresser drawers. She found a folded sheet of paper. She felt her heart tighten as she realised it was Jim's old list. As she read this list she was amazed! Everything that Jim had demanded she was now doing with no problems. "What," she thought, "is the difference?" Then she thought of Dave's words that morning as he kissed her goodbye, "I love you sweetheart, see you this afternoon."

"We love him, because He first loved us"
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."

[Watchman]

Comparing the Old Testament law with this, the age of grace? This is what first came to my mind.
Thanks Roger.

[C4K]

Thursday, 24th March, 2005

Along with being a missionary I work one day a week teaching literacy in a centre for early school leavers. One I first started work the coordinator was brilliant. He was a good leader, a great organiser, had a heart for the kids, etc. When he resigned to take another post we got a new boss. She had no expereince in this type work, has no leadership ability, and doesn't relate well to our kids.

The Bible tells us that no matter what our boss is like we have a responsibilty to work hard and do our best for them. Humanly speaking that is not always easy.

I was reminded of this recently while reading my book Purtian prayers and reflections. I came across this little phrase, "Remind me Lord, that it is an honour to be employed by thee."

May we remember, that no matter our earthly lot, our greatest employment is our service our resurrected Lord, and that is indeed the greatest of honours.

[Watchman]

You have made an excellent point Roger, Thanks.

[Watchman]

Saturday March 26, 2005

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:19-29)

What rich blessings Christ promises to those, as we see here "hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." To think that the omnipotent Creator knows us, and gives us eternal life! He is certainly powerful enough to see that this life is in no danger, either from our own weaknesses ("they shall never perish") or from an enemy without ("pluck them out"). As a preacher once said, "If you, supposedly, have eternal life, and 10 years later lose it, than whatever you had was not eternal life, but a ten-year life" How true, temporary eternal life simply cannot be. The eternal life which the Lord Jesus gives lasts for eternity. If it is lost, therefore, it was not the life that Jesus Christ gives.
The "neither shall anyone snatch" includes Satan-he is no match for the Lord Jesus Christ. He is powerless to pluck or snatch us from either the Father's or the Son's hands. How can we be any more secure?
Note that the Father gave us to His beloved Son as gifts of His love. In turn, Christ values those precious gifts so much that He holds us securely in His hand, so tightly that no created being can snatch us away. The Father even assists in providing us this security, for we are also in the "Fathers hand," and "I and My Father are one."
When we consider the size and strength of the Creator's hand, we can understand why no one, not even Satan, can snatch us out of His protective care.

[Watchman]

Sunday March 27, 2005

I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there. (John 10:30-42)
Now Jesus takes another step and crosses the proverbial "line in the sand" in 10:30, He declares "I and my Father are one." Jesus openly reveals His claim of Deity to these unbelieving Jews. Their response shows their true motive: disregard all the many miracle, His powerful words, just find a way to destroy Him. It's like the old saying: "Don't confuse them with the facts!" Notice that Jesus has a reply for them, but even in their anger, they can do nothing against Him. Jesus reminds them in 10: 37,38 that He is doing the works of the Father.
The chapter ends as Jesus returns to the countryside, to the place of John's baptizing. Many people followed Him there. They reflected on the facts of His witness and concluded that His works (Jesus' many miracles) and the testimony of John the Baptist were true (1:34 "This is the Son of God.") It concludes reporting that "many believed on Him there. It is interesting that few followers come from "schools of higher learning", while many disciples are simple folk just trained with common sense!
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:34-36)
Before going on to Chapter 11, I would like to back up here and take on this very controversial passage. The New Testament was, of course written in Greek, but the passage our Lord referred to was Psalm 82:6:
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
There the word is “Elohim” this, definitely, does refer to God, but the word does not EXCUSIVELY apply to God; it can also refer to leaders, rulers, magistrates, people who do have some authority.
Another words, the Jewish leaders have a title, a title that also can properly be used in referring to God, how could they then say to the Lord Jesus “Thou blashemest” because He said He was God’s Son?
Besides, they were, as usual, being hypocritical here. Remember back in chapter 8:
Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. (John 8:41)
So it is that they referred themselves as being the children of God.
Sorry Mormons, but this passage has absolutely nothing to do with anyone having, or attaining deity.

[C4K]

Monday, 28th March, 2005

It seems to me that everybody is enthusiastic except Christians, and that men can
get their blood hot on any subject except religion; that in these days the ice has been
given to the Church of God, and the fire has been cast upon the worldSOURCE (http://www.spurgeon.us/mind_and_heart/quotes/l.htm#lukewarmness)


When would you guess these words were penned? Do they not sound like the West in the year 2005? "Everybody is enthusiastic except the Christian" People are enthusiatic about their sports, their holidays, the politics, and their "movement." Sadly, it is these same things that too often excite Christians as well. Men, can indeed, get their blood hot on any subject but religion. You want to get a really heated debate going inmost churches? Bring up sports, politics, or the latest current event rallying point. You want to throw ice on a discussion? Bring up the fact that the lost are dying all around us, that the world is going to hell, and that multitudes are dying without Christ. Interrupt a discussion about March Madness with a discussion on the spiritual depravity of our culture and see what happens.

Yes, it does indeed seem in these days that ice has been given to the church of God and fire has been cast upon the world.

Oh, for that fire which once burned in the hearts of God's people. May we burn with urgency about the things of God with the intensity that we burn over political issues.

O Father, renew that fire in us!

O yes, the quote. Not from 2005, but from the "Prince of Preachers" in the 19th century, C.H. Spurgeon

[following-Him]

Thank you Roger.

That is so true of so many of us today. We need to get our priorities right, and quick.

God Bless

Sheila

[C4K]

To enter into debate is never as profitable as to enter into devotion.These words of our dear Brother Spurgeon gave cause to stop and reflect recently. As I began to realise how quickly I am to enter into debate compared to the speed with which I enter into devotion. I love to debate and argue, it seems to be in my blood. However, as I examine the situation carefully I realise that the Bible has an even better term for it. Often this tendency is not “in my blood” but in my flesh and I end up debating in the flesh and not in the spirit. The bible warns us about this kind of debate when it says, “But shun profane and foolish babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” How sad it is when we allow our spirit of debate to drag us into “profane and foolish babblings” for we know indeed that they do lead to “more ungodliness.” May God forgive us when we ignore His admonition.

Notice that Spurgeon does not imply that all debate is bad, just that is has not the same merit as devotion. Our debate must be based on our devotion so that our speech may “…be always with grace, seasoned with salt,” that each one of us may know how we, “ought to answer every man.”

Our dear Father, remind to enter our own rooms of devotion before we enter the debate forum. May we make sure that we know how to answer every man with our “grace-speech” seasoned with your salt.

[following-Him]

Amen. Thank you Roger.

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger.
I think that what God wants is for there to be teaching and edification in the Body of Christ that brings God glory.
The line is crossed when a debater wants to "get" the other person somehow.

[C4K]

Friday, 1st April, 2005

I justhad to share a very simple though with you this morning from the book of Puritan devotions I am reading.

May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore thy blessing, and which I cannot invite thy inspection.How much better would we be today if each of us approached the day with that kind fo attitude. What would our walk be like? Where would we go and not go? I think most importantly, what would we speak, whether verabally or typed?

Look back at yesterday. Did we do anything onwhich we could not implore God's blessing? Can we invite God's inspection on everything we did?

Now, look at today - fresh, clean, a white sheet with nothing written on it yet. We can't correct yesterday, but we can do something about today.

[Watchman]

Saturday April 2, 2005

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. (John 11:1-10)
The chapter begins with the phrase "A certain man." This usage is commonly employed in the gospels giving the understanding of more than a fictional story (i.e., "Once upon a time.") Not only was it a particular man, but Jesus' friend, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. When Jesus receives the message, the Master gives an unusual reply: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." Jesus remains in His present location for two more days before He decides to return to the region of Judea. This causes a stir among the disciples who had personally seen the hatred of the rulers and their desire to stone Him. But notice Jesus' response in verse 9: "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." Not only is He the light of the world, but He also walks in the light. Light removes fear and doubt, while darkness (without flashlights) causes one to stumble.

There will be no devotional tomorrow, nor any weekend day for the foreseeable future. C4K and I have agreed that we will stick to weekdays for now. We will be alternating days through the week.
It has been a pleasure to have had the weekends for some time now and I look forward to posting here weekdays.
Thank you.

[Watchman]

I was so busy this morning that I forgot I had a devotional this morning. I will try to do better on Wednesday.
My apologies.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 5th April, 2005

"I implore you therefore brethren, by the means of God's mercy, that you hand over your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing unto God, for this is your reasonable service." Romans 12v1 - Parrowphrase

How do we do as living sacrifices? How much of the sacrifice do we keep back for ourselves? Paul's injunction here is that we give God our all. A sacrifice that does not involve sacrifice cannot really be called a sacrifice, can it? Have we really "handed it all over" to God?

A puritan writer put it this way - "My heart is in thy hands, without reserve."

How many of us can truly say that today?

Father, on this new day - remind me that I am a living sacrifice to you. Remind me that my life is indeed yours to control.

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Wednesday April 6, 2005

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. (John 11:11-22)

Now Jesus reveals to the disciples that the purpose of the trip is to awaken Lazareth who sleepeth (dead). Furthermore, Jesus challenges their unbelief as this is not the first time that Jesus had raised the dead. (Others who had been raised from the dead during Jesus' early ministry: Jsirus' daughter Mk. 5:41; Lu. 8:54; Widow of Nain's son Luke 7:14; Testimony to disciples of John the Baptist Luke 7:22) The disciples, represented by Thomas, still don't seem to be able to comprehend. Thomas possibly was the disciple who questioned the Master in 11:8 asking if Jesus remembered how the Jews sought to stone Him. Now Thomas declares, in essence, "we're all going to die!" Thomas is remembered as the doubter as the only time he speaks in Scripture, it is in unbelief (11:16; 14:5; 20:24-29)
Jesus and His disciples arrive in Bethany four days after Lazarus' funeral. Fred Wright in "Manners and Customs of Bible Lands" describes the events of mourning in the East. "As soon as a death has taken place in the Orient, a wail is raised that announces to all the neighborhood what has happened. This is a sign for the relatives to begin demonstrating their sorrow. From the time the death wail is heard, until the burial takes place, relatives and friends continue their lamentation." (p.142) We also see this wailing mentioned in Micah 1:8: "Therefore I will wail and howl, I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls." There is also the common use of paid mourners; In Amos 5:16 we read: "Therefore the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord saith thus; Wailing shall be in the streets and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentation to wailing." Because the Jews did not embalm their dead as the Egyptians, they would try to bury the dead in a tomb or sepulchre (Mt. 27:60) quickly after death. "The burial of the dead in the East takes place soon after death, usually the same day." (ibid, p. 144)
Martha quickly comes to Jesus before He arrives in Bethany. This is a good example of Martha, always busy, always trying to do something. Mary, by the way, is not lazy, but pictures one who has learned to rest at the feet of Jesus. Back in 11:5 we are reminded that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Martha is not shy to speak her mind. First, we see that she is troubled. "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my
brother had not died." She knew of the many miracles that Jesus had performed. Oliver B. Greene says: She had undoubtedly heard of the healing of the nobleman's son, and of the healing of the centurion's servant. In both instances Jesus had simply spoken the word and those two people were healed. (Greene p. 182) Many will look at missed opportunities or second guess things that could have been done to prevent a tragedy. But in spite of her frustration, we also see her faith (though weak and confused). "But I know that, even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee"

[C4K]

Thursday, 7th April, 2005

As we begin today, after spending our time with the Lord, we may dread the fact that we have to go out into that sin cursed, filthy world. We know that we are going to encounter sin at its worst. Dirty jokes, filthy stories, lying, deception, and corruption are all around. We know that there will be situations when we will be tempted to sin, with ease, and perhaps with very little likelihood that we will be caught.

James knew about this when he defined true “religion” this way – “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

We may think that is an impossible goal, but we are blessed to know that we serve the God of the impossible, for “with God all things are possible!”

May these words, from a Christian of old, be our prayer today:

Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands. May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.

[av1611jim]

Thanks Roger.
And let us "wash our feet" as we go.

In HIS service;
Jim

[Watchman]

Friday April 8, 2005

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, (John 11:23-33)
Jesus does not scold her for ignorance, but rather places her back upon the foundation of God's word. He declares, "Thy brother shall rise again" As stated previously, the doctrine of the resurrection is a New Testament doctrine, having a few references in the Old Testament (Dan. 12:2; Job 19:25; Psa. 17:15) To this thought Martha agrees. She knew that her brother Lazarus would rise again one day. But now Jesus challenges her to stretch her faith. He proclaims " I am the resurrection, and the life." She knew He was the Messiah, the chosen One from God, but she didn't comprehend (nor did His disciples) that He is God, come in flesh! Her response in 11:27 is similar to Peter's in Mt. 16:16.
Let's look a little closer at Jesus' words. First, "I am the resurrection and the life" This is more than a general concept briefly touched upon in the Old Testament or His previous discussion in 5: 24-29. New life is now declared to be the result of belief in the Son. The message of salvation in Christ ultimately focuses upon the point of our personal belief in the finished work of Christ as He came, lived, died, and rose again! As He asked Martha, He asks of us today "Believest thou this?" Her response clearly shows her limited faith.
Now we see her quickly going to Mary, and though she calls her secretly, Mary's departure leads the entire group of mourners to accompany her as she goes to meet Jesus. Mary's first words are the same as her sister's. But the writer takes note of the emotions of the event. Mary's weeping and the crowd of mourners caused Jesus to be troubled and to weep. The Lord had already told the disciples of His purpose to "awake (Lazarus) out of sleep", but He is touched and feels their sorrow. (Most men of today would have sounded more like a football coach, "Stop all that sniffling and bawling, we've got work to do!"

[C4K]

Monday, 11th April, 2005

“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…” James 1v19

Alright, let’s see a show of hands – how many here this morning enjoy being involved in a good spirited debate? Now, those who have your hands up pay special attention.

Do you ever feel like in every situation you just have to give your opinion? Join the club and I will be the club president. Some of us just have to express our views on everything.

</font> Bible versions</font></font> Personal standards</font></font> Politics</font></font> The pope</font></font> …and so on</font>
As I look on various boards and forums I see that it is not different on the Internet than it ever has been. Personal opinions sneak in, emotions get heated, and then testimonies are injured.

How do we put a stop to this? Well, we won’t stop it all, but we can do a great deal by heeding the advice of our brother Spurgeon:

Where Scripture is silent, be you silent* Can you imagine how things would go for us today if we heeded that simple, Bible based admonition?

Lord, help us all today to be “swift to hear, slow to speak.”

*SOURCE FOR QUOTE (http://www.spurgeon.us)

[Watchman]

Tuesday April 12,2005

And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
Jesus wept.
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. (John 11:34-46)
The crowd also adds their questioning of why the Master could not have healed Lazarus. Notice their connection back to the healing of the blind man in chapter 9. Many believed that Jesus was the Messiah when He healed the blind man, but their faith is small. Was the "groaning" mentioned in 11:38 because of their sorrow or because of their lack of faith? I think we also grieve God many times by our lack of faith!
The tomb of Lazarus was said to be a cave. "Today there are thousands of rock-cut tombs scattered over the land of Palestine. Such tombs were made by the wealthy. Not being able to afford these, the poorer folks buried their dead in graves. Some of the tombs had many chambers in them. They were closed by a rolling-stone which ran down an inclined plane in front of the mouth of the sepulcher." (Wight, p. 144-145)
Jesus goes beyond words of comfort as He declares "Take ye away the stone." Martha protests stating that it was four days after the burial and the body would already be decomposing. Now Jesus answers Martha and challenges her faith. His statement of seeing the "glory of God" probably was that of 11:4, which answer was sent back to the sisters at Lazarus' time of illness. The stone is now removed from the cave's mouth and Jesus directs a prayer to His Father. Jesus uses just 37 words to reveal His relationship with the Father is of constant fellowship and secondly, it is proclaimed publicly that those who listen might believe. (Compare to Elijah's prayer on Mount Carmel: 1Kings 18: 36-38). The Master cries out "with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth. It is attributed to D.L. Moody, who first said that if Jesus had not specified that only Lazarus was to come forth, then all of the graves in the world would have released their hold! Lazarus emerges from the tomb bound in grave clothes. "The Hebrews did not normally cremate, except in most unusual cases of emergency, as in the case of Saul and his sons (1Sam. 31: 11-13). Neither did they generally use coffins or embalm. Ordinarily a body after being washed (Acts 9:37) and wrapped in a cloth or closely bound in bands (Mt. 27:59; John 11:44) was carried on a simple bier to the grave or vault (2Sam. 3:31; Luke 7:14), which was commonly a cave artificially cut out of the rock (Gen. 25:9; Mt. 27:60. Unguents and perfumes were applied to the body if they could be afforded (John 12:7; 19:39), or fragrant incense burned (Jer. 34:5). Mourners lamented with loud demonstrations of grief (Mk. 5:38), and were often hired (Jer. 9:17). (Unger's Bible Dictionary, p. 158). The grave clothes and napkin are a testimony to the factual death of the Lord Jesus. 11:44: "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin." If Jesus had just "swooned" or lay unconscious for three days as some skeptics have suggested, then He would have died by suffocation!
The next verses give us an insight into the spiritual blindness of the man in unbelief. Dr. John R. Rice declared: "The same sun that melts the ice will harden the clay into brick." (p.205). Many of those who had gathered with Mary and Martha who had been there when Lazarus' dead body was placed in the grave four days prior "believed" on Jesus. We would hope that all would believe if they saw a true sign from heaven, yet the words of Abraham to the rich man in Hell are true in Luke 16:31: And he (Abraham) said unto him, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." If a person rejects the Word of God, he will not be convinced by any miracle. Our faith is based upon the Word, not in miracles. (See Romans 10:17). Miracles can only confirm what is already based upon the truths of God's Word. Moses saw the miracles of God and believed, but Pharaoh saw the same miracles and turned from God. Also notice that the Pharisees and Sadducees were always badgering Jesus for a sign from heaven. Jesus responded in Mt. 16:4: "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And He left them and departed."

[C4K]

Wednesday, 13th April, 2005

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10v13

What kind of temptations or trials are you going to face today? Right about now you might be saying, “Brother, if I knew that I could be ready for them. Then they wouldn’t be so difficult!”

Of course you are right. If we knew in advance what trials and temptations we were going to face they would not be near so difficult! The problem is we don’t know what we will face today. We can be comforted that God does know already. We also can know, if we trust His word, that nothing will cross our paths today that He will not give us a way to deal with! We can head out with confidence that we can handle, by the grace of God and with His help, that comes our way today!

C.H. Spurgeon had these words of wisdom for us:

The devil himself cannot invent a temptation which is not met in these pages; and all the devils in hell together, if they were to hold parliament, and to call in the aid of all bad men, could not invent a device which is not met by this matchless library of
truth.*

Lord, send us out today in the comfort that whatever we face, we face with you by our side, and because of that, the forces of hell itself cannot prevail against us.

*SOURCE FOR QUOTE (http://www.spurgeon.us)

[Watchman]

Thursday April 14, 2005

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him. (John 11:47-57)
The Plot of the Religious Leaders.
Now we see that some of the witnesses of this great miracle have made their way back to the Pharisees and Priest who admit that Jesus has done "many miracles." No wonder that Jesus proclaims a greater judgement to these blind guides. (See Mt. 23: 13-15). They determine that Jesus must be killed. Pay no attention to their reasoning: 11:48 "If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." Their position in authority is more important than God's will. Their fathers had killed the prophets (Mt. 23:31) and know they are preparing to destroy the Son of God!
Also their statement about the Romans shows their lack of faith in God's promises because even the most ignorant of Jews understood that the Messiah would set up His kingdom and would rule over the Gentile nations. Clearly the main reason for rejecting Jesus and His miracles is their own desire to rule in authority. They are no better than wicked king Herod who slaughtered the innocent children of Bethlehem! It is interesting that many of these same priests and Pharisees who rejected Christ were still in positions of power when the Roman general Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
Imagine if Saul of Tarsus would have rejected the Lord that day on the road to Damascus. Seeing a light from heaven was no greater miracle than the raising of Lazarus and some rejected God after seeing Lazarus. If Saul had spurned the Lord, realize that he was being groomed for the leadership in Israel. Acts 9:1: "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." Saul would have gained the prestige as a leader in the Sanhedrin and would have lost all when the Romans destroyed the city. Yet the Apostle did see Jesus that day and later said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." (Phil. 3:7-8)
Caiaphas, the high priest "prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." (11: 51-52) Isn't it amazing how God takes something meant for evil and turns it into good?
Actually Jesus would die for the whole world and through His death, He would gather all God's children, both Jew and Gentile! Dr Henry Morris states: "This is remarkable irony. The high priest was Caiaphas who, as the presumed representative of God to the people, should have gladly received Jesus as the promised Messiah. Instead he led in His trial and condemnation (Mt. 26: 65-66). Nevertheless he was divinely inspired unwittingly to acknowledge the real mission of Christ to the Jews and the whole world (John 18:14); that of substitutionary sacrifice for their sins. It is also noteworthy that, in 1992, the bones of this same Caiaphas were discovered in his tomb underneath the modern city. " (p. 1155). The sad part is that Caiaphas, an offspring of Abraham, through his rejection of Jesus Christ shows that he is not a child of God. The plans are begun to devise a way to capture and destroy Jesus.
Notice that Jesus withdrew Himself from Jerusalem and went into a remote city up north called Ephraim. He could have stayed in Jerusalem, yet it would have probably required more miracles to do so and Jesus never did miracles in the midst of unbelief.

11:55 sets the scene of chapter 12, the preparation for the Passover. As people began to gather, all are wondering if Jesus will come to the feast. The religious leaders are searching for Jesus, yet He will walk into Jerusalem boldly in just a few days. The want to arrest Him, yet they can't touch Him until He is ready to be our substitute.

[C4K]

Friday, 15th April, 2005

“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, …” Song of Solomon 2v11-12

For most of, except for our Southern Hemisphere friends and part of the US where they just had another blizzard, winter truly has finally passed. Spring has come, the flowers have appeared, the birds are singing. Who among us does not enjoy spring?

A very common bush here is the gorse bush. (Click HERE (http://www.parrowhouse.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=37) for photo.) All winter long this plant is an ugly, scraggly, prickly bush. If you walk close to one they seem to reach out and scratch you. Then, in the spring, you begin to see little green buds with just a hint of yellow. Through April they slowly come into full bloom until around the first of May they burst forth into a golden radiance.

This whole process is a part of God’s divine plan. He sees it all, in the dark days of winter, when the gorse is nothing but an ugly scrub brush God already sees what it will one day produce.

Sometimes the Lord allows us to have a “gorse bush” time in our lives. All we can see is the ugliness and the prickly branches. We get scrapped and scratched and it seems like that is our whole life. Yet, God sees the end, spring always comes. If you are enduring the difficulties of the winter gorse bush rest assured that spring will come. Look forward to the day when things will burst forth into the radiance of the glory of God!

[ April 15, 2005, 01:33 AM: Message edited by: C4K ]

[Watchman]

Thanks Roger.
This seems to go well with, "All things work together for good to them that love God..."

[Watchman]

Monday April 18, 2005

Chapter 12

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. (John 12:1-11)
Jesus at Bethany
Jesus returns toward Jerusalem six days before the Passover and visits His close friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Just imagine what it would be like to eat at the table with Jesus! Are you going to be at Jesus' table one day? Rev 19:9: "And he saith unto me, Write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." The Apostle Peter reminds us that we must have a reservation to be in Heaven: 1Peter 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." I hope that you have accepted God's gift of salvation and have your reservations ready because it is getting close to suppertime!
Jesus had enjoyed the fellowship and Martha and Mary's hospitality many time before, but what is brought to our attention that evening was the way that Mary washed the feet of Jesus. It was the custom back in that day to wash a guest's feet as they had dirt roads which were either muddy or dusty. (Compare Luke 7:36, 44-46) It was normally the servant's job to wash the soiled feet, but Mary takes it upon herself to wash Jesus feet.
Then Mary brings ointment of spikenard and anoints the feet of Jesus. Spikenard come from a plant grown "in the Himalayan Mountains at an elevation of 11,000 to 17,000 feet. It is used by the Hindus as a medicine and perfume from remote antiquity, and was early an article of commerce. The long distance which it had to be brought to Palestine rendered it on arrival very precious." (Westminster Dictionary of the Bible. P.578)
Some have estimated the exchange rate to have been a years wages of a laborer. (Defender's Study Bible, Morris p. 1155). Mt. 26: 6-13 and Mark 14: 3-9 also mention a similar incident of Jesus being anointed though there are some differences. John's account is six days before the Passover at Mary and Martha's house while the other gospels record the anointing by an unnamed woman two days prior at Simon the leper's house. While both occurred in Bethany they could be different anointings.
Mary didn't just use a few drops but literally bathed His feet with the precious oil until the fragrance filled the whole house. John's account names Judas Iscariot as one who stood in indignation to the use of the expensive perfume. Notice that Matthew and Mark's gospels refer to the whole group of disciples. Isn't it interesting how one rotten apple has corrupted the whole bunch? At one dinner Mary anoints the feet of Jesus and Judas is upset. Then four days later an unnamed woman anoints His head and all the disciples are mad. John also explains the details of why Judas is upset as "he was a thief, and had the bag." One wonders how much was in the bag of coins that he carried as the treasurer contrasted to the bag of thirty pieces of silver he betrayed the Lord for. We sell ourselves for so little when compared to the price Jesus paid to redeem us!
Jesus responds to their anger by trying to put everything into proper perspective. The ointment's value was nothing when compared to the needs of the world. But the anointing of Jesus for His soon death would benefit all the generations of the word to come (and us!) He then declares that Mary would be remembered throughout the whole world for her sacrifice. John then records the intent of the chief priests to kill Lazarus as his testimony was the cause of many people trusting Christ.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 19th April, 2005

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2v14

I love this picture of our victory in Christ! I see in my minds eye a Roman general riding into a city, all the banners are out. Flowers are being crushed under foot to produce a great fragrance (the savour of His knowledge) that all can smell. Emotions are stirred and there is great excitement. He is the great conqueror! Our General, the Captain of our salvation, our Victor arrives in conquest over the enemies of the world. Greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world.

Most of hearts are stirred by a patriotic parade. Sports fans love it when their teams wins a major sporting event. My favourite football (soccer) team won a major victory this week. All over the stadium the opponents fans left and the visiting fans were left to wave their banners proudly proclaiming that they were Chelsea fanes. Everyone wanted to be identified with the victors. We can all identify with what victory means!

How can we as Christians walk around in defeat with our heads down. In the words of C.H. Spurgeon it is time to “write His name on our banner.”

We write his name upon our banner, for it is hell’s terror, heaven’s delight and
earth’s hope.*How much better it is to have “Christ” on our banner than any sports team or even any national banner. Who is written on the banner of your heart today?

*SOURCE FOR QUOTE (http://www.spurgeon.us)

[Watchman]

Wednesday April 20, 2005

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. (John 12:12-19)
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus had come to Jerusalem many times since He journeyed there as a lad. But this day was different. As He came into the world in the lowly manger, Jesus was heralded as a King. Now He finishes His earthly ministry, He is again declared by others to be a King! As He comes close to the city, a crowd gathers and places palm branches along the road and an ass was borrowed to allow Him to ride into the city. It was comparable to victorious king who would literally have a victory parade as the king returned from battle. This triumphal entry was also the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in Zech. 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
The timing of that day was clearly by God's time clock. Sir Robert Anderson calculated the time needed to fulfill the prophecy recorded in Daniel 25:
"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself..."
The clock began with the decree of Artaxexes to rebuild the city (Neh. 2: 1-8) on March 14, 445 B.C. and was completed 483 years (69 x 7) later to the very day as Jesus rode into Jerusalem! (Note: you have to use a Jewish calendar and add for leap years.) (D. Pentecost, Things To Come p. 244-246)
John's account is the only gospel to note the disciple's perplexity of the meaning of His official entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus hereby accounts for 69 weeks of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy. As for the 70th week, well, that is the basis of much dispute: it depends on how you view prophecy about the future. The differing views on this is beyond the scope of this devotional.
Dr. John R. Rice declares: "When you come to consider the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one of the most overwhelming proofs is that all these disciples were convinced of it. They did not believe in the resurrection. The two on the road to Emmaus had the thought that Jesus would redeem His people but they had given up their hope. All these miracles...left the disciples with a very faint and partial understanding of the deity of Christ, the need for His death, the certainty of His return to reign. (v.16) But after His resurrection, when He was glorified, then they remembered a hundred happenings and a hundred statements of Jesus that they had not before understood." (Rice, p. 247) The Pharisees were not perplexed but perturbed. They demand Jesus to quiet the crowd from calling Him King, yet He declares "the stones would cry out." (Luke 19:40)

[C4K]

Thursday, 21st April, 2005

“Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Romans 5v1

Peace with God. How often we hear that but how seldom we consider the implications of what it means to have peace with God. In verse 10 we read that we were enemies of God. No treaty could have solved this problem. All discussion was hopeless. God demanded one thing – unconditional surrender!

Praise God that when we do surrender he gives us peace with Him. We move from being the enemy of God to the friends of God. The “problem” is that once we become the friend of God we become at enmity with the world. We will never again find peace with the world and its system.

C.H. Spurgeon presents with this reminder:

It (the Bible) does not say that you shall either have peace with the devil, or peace with the flesh, or peace with the world; but it does say that you have peace with God, which is infinitely better*Not finding peace with the world today? Rest in the wonderful assurance that peace with God is infinitely better! Amen!

*SOURCE FOR QUOTE (http://www.spurgeon.us)

[Watchman]

Friday April 22, 2005

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
(John 12: 20-28)
"The Hour is Come"
There is some question as to the background of these "certain Greeks" that desired to meet Jesus. Notice that they "came up to worship at the feast." They were most likely not Jewish people who lived in Greece, but Greeks who chose to follow God and observe the Passover. Some Bible teachers say that Jesus ignores their request to see Him yet the audience in 12: 23-50 is a mixture of believers and scoffers. This passage was probably spoken from one of the open forum areas of the Temple.
The message that Jesus gave that day is more important than its audience. Jesus declares that "the hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified." The "hour" refers to His departure back to the Father and therefore His death, burial and resurrection prior to that departure. Up to this point Jesus had walked away from His enemies on several occasions because His "hour" had not yet come (John 2:4; 4:21-23; 5:25; 7:6; 7:30). Also, realize that up to this point Jesus has come to do the work of the Father, pointing all glory to the Father. But now, as explained more fully in chapter 17, the time has come for the Son to be glorified which will, in turn, bring glory to the Father. (See 17:2)
Now Jesus gives another object lesson as the Great Teacher. The seed will not reproduce until it dies. But as a single seed is placed in good soil, it loses its original identity. It decays and is no longer a seed. But by the miracle of God, a dead seed can be transformed into a living plant which can produce hundred-fold! How many apples can an apple tree produce? Hundreds. How many seeds does it take to grow an apple tree? One. But if the seed refuses to die to self, it remains a single, solitary seed, destine for extinction. Jesus said "He that loveth his life shall lose it" (12:25). Many people will refuse the gospel because they have too much invested in this worlds goods. (Such as: The rich ruler in Luke 18:18-23). But to do so is to lose all (Mark 8:36).
Contrast now the man who is willing to give up his own will to serve God. Jesus proclaims that the obedient servant will be honored by God (12:26). Another was to contrast these two types of seeds (men) is to look at their legacy. The first seed gives up his life, dies, and loses his identity. He is transformed into a root which produces a mighty tree bearing fruit. It's legacy is continued on by its fruit. The second seed remains just a seed with a net worth of less than a penny. Eventually, the second seed decays and becomes extinct.
Now we see a glimpse of the awful pain that Jesus was about to accept as the "Suffering Servant" prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. Jesus declares "My soul is troubled." We can not comprehend the burden of sin that Jesus carried when He took our place on the Cross. The Old Testament picture of the scape-goat (Lev. 16: 8-22) which was to bear the sins of the people out into the wilderness.
(Isa 53:3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
(Isa 53:4) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
(Isa 53:5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(Isa 53:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(Isa 53:7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
(2Co 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Jesus answers His own question to show that it is not a question of whether He would be willing to be our substitute. He declares "but for this cause came I unto this hour." (12:27). He then prays to His Father to "glorify thy name". The Father then answers from Heaven with an audible voice for one of the few times in the New Testament, such as Jesus' baptism in Mt. 3:17; Jesus spoke to Saul in Act 9.

[C4K]

Monday, 25th April, 2005

One of my favourite hymns is “Trust and Obey.” In our Kids Klub one of the favourite kids songs is:

“Obedience is the very best was, to show that you believe. Doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily. Action is the key, do it immediately, and joy who will receive. Obedience is, the very best way, to show that you believe. O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.”

The Bible talks about obedience many times. “Obey them that have the rule over you. “Children, obey your parents...”

I think one of the key obedience verses is this.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
-Romans 6v16

What are you going to obey today? Hopefully, each of are commited to obeying the Lord. Just as important though is the question of “how” we will obey. When we tell our children to do something we expect a certain kind of obedience. It is not really enough just to obey, they are supposed to do so with the right attitude. God expects full obedience in heart, soul, body, and spirit. This writer captures the attitudewith these words:

Render my obedience to thy will holy, natural, and delightful.*May God stengthen each of us to obey His will today with sheer delight!


*Source – The Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett

[Watchman]

Tuesday April 26, 2005

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
(John 12: 29-50)
Jesus' last public message before the cross.
The people heard Jesus' lesson of the seed, then heard the voice from heaven. Some of them just heard a noise "it thundered", while others recognized it as a voice of an angel. When God spoke to Israel on Mount Sinai (Ex. 20:18) and the description of the throne of God (Rev. 4:5) God's voice is compared to thunder. Jesus quickly explains that the voice was for their sake, as on Mount Sinai, to give credence to what was being said. Then He declares two statements.
First, judgement has come to the prince of this world. Gen. 3:15 had told of a day when Satan's head would be bruised (lethal blow) by the seed of the woman; while Satan would bruise the heal (non-lethal) of the seed of he woman.
Second is the proclamation that gives witness to His coming death. "If I be lifted up from the earth" is now said publicly of what Jesus had explained to Nicodemus in John 3:14. As the great fulfillment of the picture of the brazen serpent of Moses, Jesus would soon be lifted up on a cross that whosoever would look to Him could be saved. (See also Num. 21: 4-9) John verifies that Jesus spoke of His coming death on the Cross (12:33).
The people that are gathered pick up where the Pharisees left off in displaying their unbelief. They refuse to believe Jesus' words because they do not line up with their preconceived notions about the Christ. They were waiting for a King to rescue them from being servants to the Romans, but Jesus keeps looking at a bigger problem-their sin condemning them to hell. Jesus challenges them to see the light while He is with them. It seems to be an evasive answer, but the writer explains that Jesus saw their unbelief. The many miracles had not convinced them. The blind man (chapter 9) or the raising of Lazarus (chapter 11) were not enough to cause them to believe. As Abraham had declared to the rich man in hell, unless they are willing to believe the words of Moses (law) and the prophets, "neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31). It is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:1 and 6:10 which tell of the spiritual blindness of the Jews. They have become no better example than Pharaoh.
John also mentions the struggles of several "chief rulers" who secretly believed in Jesus, yet would not publicly worship Him. They feared the Pharisees who would excommunicate anyone who held that Jesus was the Messiah (see 9:22,34). John then declares that "they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." (12:43).
Jesus now reaffirms His message of the past. First, to believe on Jesus is to believe on the Father that sent Him (5:19-23; 6:29; 8:15-19). Second, the Father can only be seen by seeing the Son (6:46; 14:7-9). Third, Jesus is a "Light" in the world, giving light to those who believe. (1:9; 8:12) Fourth, belief in Jesus brings salvation, but unbelief brings judgment (3:18; 5:22-27; 8:16; 9:39) Fifth, the commandment given of the Father is "life everlasting." (3:16; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40)

Jesus here finishes His contending with the Jews. He would speak no more to the Jews in trying to convince them that “I Am He”. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. The fact that the Jews COULD have received Him is evident: Jesus said, in another gospel: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that stonest the prophets, and killest them that are sent to thee; how I would have loved to have drawn thee as a hen gathereth her chicks under her wings, but ye WOULD NOT.
The Jews paid a terrible price in rejecting God’s Son. I pray that such is not the case with anyone reading this.

[C4K]

Wednesday, 27th April, 2005

Our thoughts for today come from the devotional book, The Valley of Vision.

Give me such deadness to the world,
such love to the Saviour,
such attachment to his house,
such devotedness to his service,
as proves me a subject of his salvation.
May every part of my character and conduct
make a serious and amiable impression on others,
and impel the to ask the way to the Master”There are so many scriptural references here that it is difficult to know where to start. I am only to take two such references.

Philippians 2v12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The literal meaning of this passage is that we are to “out work” our salvation in “fear and trembling.” To live for the Lord is an awesome responsibility and a wonderful task, in the fullest sense of those English words. May the outworking of our salvation be such that it proves each of us “subjects of His salvation.”

1 Peter 3v15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The second part of the devotional thought deals with how others see us. As we live our lives out for Him, may we always be ready to give an answer others are “impelled to ask the way to the Master.” If we are not “out working” our salvation others will have no need to ask the way to the Master. No one asks a directionless man for directions!

Lord, help us to live in a way that our direction is clear, that we prove our selves Yours, and that others may “ask directions” to You.

[Watchman]

Thursday April 28, 2005

Chapter 13

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1)
Jesus Last Passover?
The scene changes as Jesus and His disciples are gathered for the last time. Chapters 13-17 will describe the events up to His betrayal and arrest in the Garden (Chapter 18). It is noteworthy to realize that this gospel places little emphasis upon the actual "last supper" but will magnify the Lord's last words to His disciples that night.
J. Vernon McGee said of chapters 13-17:
"When you come to chapters 13-17 you can write a sign over it, ‘For Believers Only’, and you could put under that, ‘All Others Stay Out.’ I don't think that section was ever meant for an unbeliever." (John p. xi)
He does indeed speak here in this section only to His disciples there then, but also, as we shall see, He is speaking to all of us that believe down through the Church age.
"Now before the feast of the Passover" is a problem for the harmony of the gospels as John describes it as the day before the Passover, while the other gospels declare it to be the actual day of the Passover (Mt. 26:17; Mk. 14:12; Lu. 22: 1,7,15) But remember that John's gospel was written several years later and many times clarifies details which were not focused upon in the earlier gospels. Now contrast the previous verses with Mt. 27:62; Mk. 15:42; Lu. 23:53 all of which speak of Jesus death on the Cross being the day after the "preparation" day. John 19:14 calls it "the preparation of the Passover." Matthew Henry declares:
"It was the preparation of the Passover, that is, for the Passover-Sabbath. It was when they should have been purging out the old leaven, to get ready for the Passover."
(Matthew Henry's Commentary Vol. One p. 1619)
Now in 19:31, it adds "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." Dr. John R. Rice suggests "That Sabbath was not the regular weekly Sabbath but 'an high day,' that is, an annual Sabbath. It is the Sabbath of Exodus 12:16, the day of the Passover supper and the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, a day of 'an holy convocation' and 'no manner of work shall be done in them-on the first day and the seventh day of this feast of unleavened bread. This was a high annual Sabbath." (Rice, John, p. 380)
Then 19:42 states that they had to hurriedly place the body of Jesus in the nearby tomb because it was "the Jews preparation day." The preparation day would be ending at sundown and the Passover-Sabbath would begin. Also, back in John 18:28 when the rulers brought Jesus to Pilate, we are told that the Jews did not enter Pilate's hall "lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover." If Jesus ate the "Passover" a few hours before His arrest in the garden, why are the priests and Pharisees waiting till the next evening? No, the word "Passover" used in the other gospels for the last supper of Jesus must be kept in context.
Dr. John R. Rice explains: "The Scofield Bible heads this verse: 'The Last Passover,' which is misleading. It was His last Passover season. In the accounts of the supper by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, nothing is said about a lamb. All they had was bread and wine. This was evidently a preliminary meal the night before the Passover night. From Exodus 12:19 we learn that the Jews were not allowed to have leavened bread, that is, bread made from yeast, in their houses through the entire seven days of the feast of unleavened bread, beginning with the Passover supper. In the time of Jesus, the whole period, including both the Passover supper and the feast of unleavened bread, took the name of the Passover, as you see in Luke 22:1. You see from John 11:55 that Jews were accustomed to come to Jerusalem several days ahead of time, do away with all leaven, and make themselves ceremonially clean, or purified, before the Passover supper itself. The supper which Jesus ate with His disciples was a preliminary supper the day before the Passover supper. The word 'Passover' in verse 1 seems clearly not to mean the same as the word 'supper' in verse 2. The supper was before the feast of the Passover. John 13:29 shows that the feast was still in the future." (Rice. John, p. 258)
R. A. Torrey in his sermon, "Christ's Crucifixion: Friday or Wednesday?" connects the death of Christ to the Passover lamb. Everything about the Passover lamb was a picture of Jesus: 1.) He was a lamb without blemish and without spot (Ex. 12:5) 2.) He was chosen on the 10 day of Nisan (Ex. 12:3), for it was on the 10th day of Nisan, the preceding Saturday, that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was made. 3.) Not a bone of Him was broken when He was killed (John 19:36; Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12; Psa. 34:20) 4.) And He was killed on the 14th Nisan between the evenings, just before the beginning of the 15th Nisan at sundown (Ex. 12:6) If we take just exactly what the Bible says, that Jesus was slain before the Passover Sabbath, the type is marvelously fulfilled in every detail; but if accept the traditional theory that Jesus was crucified on Friday, the type fails at many points." (Great Preaching on the Resurrection, p. 242-3)

[C4K]

Friday, 29th April, 2005

Revelation 21v4 “and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.”
Oh my my heart was stirred as I read the “no mores” of this verse. God will wipe away the tears because there are:
</font> No more death</font></font> No more mourning</font></font> No more crying</font></font> No more pain</font>
We sometimes sing a song called “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see...” and that will indeed my a wonderful day when Jesus comes for His saints. Another “wonderful day” will be the day when there is no more need for tears. Did you see why there are no more tears? Because the “first things are passed away!” Death, mourning, crying, and pain are all results of the Fall of man. They are all the result of sin, but now, finally in our minds, as the new heaven and new earth appear, all of these things are passed away! They are gone, wiped out, eliminated forever! Praise God indeed, what a day that will be!
There is another comfort here though. Since God has the power to overcome these things we can be assured that He has the power over them today. When He allows them to come into our lives we can be assured that they are there for a purpose. Praise the Lord that one day He will wipe all these things away, but praise God for the assurance that He is in control of them today.

[Watchman]

Monday May 2, 2005

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
(John 13: 2-17)
Jesus washes their feet
We will delay discussion about Judas' betrayal until later in this chapter so we can focus upon the central thought of this section. As Jesus knew it was His last meal with Hs disciples, instead of asking to be pampered with sympathy, Jesus begins to wash the disciples feet. Dr. McGee comments that "in the preceding chapter we saw that the feet of Jesus was anointed, Here, the feet of the disciples are washed" (p.450-451) The hot, dusty conditions led to the need for such. The washing of feet was not a fun chore and therefore was the job of the servants. In so doing, Jesus taught them two lessons:

1.) That saved persons still need cleansing from sin. When Jesus came to Peter, their discussion gives us an explanation for the foot washing. You see, Peter had a clean heart, but dirty feet. At first Peter refused to allow Jesus perform the duty of a slave, but then he was confused as Jesus told him the importance of being cleansed. The key phrase is "thou hast no part with me." Jesus was speaking of fellowship, not salvation. The Apostle John will later explain the importance of cleansing for fellowship in John 1:6-9. Peter then figured that if somehow the washing of his feet would help, then why not wash all the body?
But Jesus explains in 13:10: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all." Dr. McGee states that the word "washed" is the Greek word louo = bathed, while the second word "wash" is nipto = washed. Therefore, "He that is bathed needeth not except to wash his feet." Dr. McGee goes on to say that, "In those days they went to the public bath for their bathing. Then a man would put on his sandals to come home...So even though he had just come from a bath, he had to wash his feet when he entered the house." (p. 452-453)
Compare to the picture of the brazen laver in the Old Testament tabernacle - It was a place for cleansing after the priest had already offered the sacrifice. Note: The washing of the disciples feet is a better understanding of Eph. 5: 25-26.
Some try to say we are cleansed by baptism, then making baptism a requirement for salvation. But baptism is a public declaration of the decision that has already occurred.
2.) Jesus' disciples needed a good lesson in humility. In contrast is Mt. 20: 20-28; Mk. 9:34-35 where the disciples battled over who would be the greatest. If the Son of God could wash their feet, the disciples could also serve each other. Now John r. Rice explains "not a mass footwashing, but a personal service. It was not to be a church mass ceremony, and we know that the apostles did not understand it to be so, and there is no record of and New Testament church having a footwashing ceremony." (p.263) Also notice that the Lord Jesus knew Judas' intentions, yet every indication is that He washed Judas' feet as well.

Jesus knew He had come from God and was going to God (v3)-the past and the future. He also understood principles that would successfully govern the lives of those who would follow Him. When He attempted to model one of His most precious life principles (servanthood), impetuous Peter said in effect, "Never! No way will you ever wash my feet!" (v.8).

Peter had several lessons to learn that day. Jesus, ever loving and ever wise, assured him that He had a plan which was far more than just he future-it even spanned the present. Peter obviously didn't understand in the "now" but he would understand "later."
Jesus added that growth in perception hinged on one thing-submission. "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (v.8). To Peter, submission was a humiliating price to pay-but the alternative was unbearable.
It's not easy to let the Lord do something strange and seemingly untimely in our lives or in another's. Sometimes He goes against reason-sometimes we think He has lost control. Has He forgotten what time it is? But just as He paused to remind Peter, Jesus might lovingly look up from His work and say to us, "You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later. Submit to me in this one thing now, so you can continue being My disciple." Our hearts may struggle momentarily, but the yearning to be His disciple cries out a glad "Yes! Yes! I will yield! Even though it doesn't seem right just now; even if I don't understand, Lord, you haven't forgotten the time. You alone can see from the perspective of past, present, and future, and I will only understand later, as you teach me. Lord, do what you want to do in my life."

[C4K]

Tuesday, 3rd May, 2005


Just one small phrase today from Revelation 21v23 – “…for the Lamb is its light.”

The context is that of heaven where there will be no need of the sun or moon for light. Then this appears, “for the Lamb will be its Light.” Today we live in a world of such heavy darkness. All around us sin abounds for the world has chosen to reject the “Lamblight” of Christ.

Let us just think of a few parrowphrased thoughts from the gospel of John this morning:

John came to tell the world about the Light, that all men through the Light might believe.
That was the true Light, to light every man that comes into the world.
This Light shines in darkness, but the world does not understand the Light.
The Light came into the world, but men love darkness more than light because their deeds are evil. Evil men hate the light, for under their light their deeds are exposed.

How sad it is that all around men reject the Lamblight of God today. One day we will truly be able to bask in that light. But the wonderful thing is that we can choose to look to the Light today. Jesus said this – “… I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8v12).

Father, thank you for the day when we will fully enjoy your Lamblight, help us to walk in the Lamblight today!

[Watchman]

Wednesday May 4, 2005

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
(John 13:18-30)
The Betrayal by Judas
In the midst of His conversation, Jesus begins to reveal the fact of His soon betrayal by Judas. The Lord distinguishes the division of the true disciples from the false disciple. Back in John 6:70, Jesus had stated that one was "a devil." Now the Master quotes from Psa. 41:9: "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."
Also notice that Jesus proclaims this as a way to restore their belief in Him after the betrayal would come to pass. Now He plainly declares, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." (13:21) The disciple begin to look at one another and then pondered the question "Is it I?" (Mt. 26:22) Each of the disciples remembered the many times they all had been reproved for their lack of faith. None of them comprehended what transpired between Judas and the Lord that night. They assumed that he was sent on an errand for the upcoming Passover. Dr. McGee informs us that "It was the custom for the host at a banquet to take a piece of bread, dip it in the sauce, and present it to the guest of honor. The Lord makes Judas His guest of honor by this gesture. He is extending to him the token of friendship. Judas is at the crossroads. Christ keeps the door open to Judas up to the very last. Even in the garden Jesus will say, 'Friend, wherefore art thou come?...'" (p. 455). Judas would quickly make his way to the priests as being "found out" they would need to work quickly. This would force the hands of the religious leaders who wanted to wait until after the Passover was over.
As Judas passes off the scene into the night, Jesus returns His focus upon the remaining disciples disciples and begins what might be called His last night discourse. The remaining verses of this chapter contain a summary of the topics to be discussed in the next chapters; His glory will be scene in Chapter 17; His promise to return in chapter 14; and His "new commandment" to love on another in chapter 15. Notice that Jesus uses a new phrase to describe His disciples now that Judas has departed: "little children". It would be the same phrase that the Apostle John would refer to young believers 9 times in 1John. The one that caught Peter's interest was the thought that he was no better than the Jews, and he too, would be excluded from Jesus' soon journey. Peter declares his allegiance to Jesus, willing to die for Him. Yet Jesus proclaims that bold Peter, the leader would actually deny the Lord 3 times before the morning cock crows. The chapter ends with a contrast. Satan worked on both Peter and Judas, yet one was broken and the other destroyed. (Lu. 20:18; 22:31)

[C4K]

Thursday, 5th May, 2005

nai erchomai kurious Iesus

A man sat on a rocky island, exiled there for His faith in Christ, roughly 1900 years ago and penned those simple words. What are those wonderful words? In our King James Bible they are the memorable words – “even so come Lord Jesus,” from Revelation 22v20.

What do you think went through John’s mind as his quill scratched across the writing surface? The last words of Christ in the Bible had just been uttered, “Surely, I come quickly.” According to legend and tradition John had suffered greatly for his faith. We are pretty certain that he was forcefully exiled to this island of Patmos. Most church historians agree that he had been boiled alive in oil and was terribly disfigured. A young man when our Lord was alive he was now approaching the end of his life. Many may have been in despair, or full of anger at the Lord. Yet, what did John say? “nai erchomai kurious Iesus.” – “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

Our fellow Christians though the years have had the same yearning. St Patrick wrote almost 1500 years ago – “…in whom [Christ] we believe, and whose advent we expect soon to be.” And yet, here we stand, hundreds of years on, and we still have not seen our Lords return. Some have become disenchanted or discouraged. The news stories get worse and worse every day. Horrendous, unimaginable crimes are being committed. Our society at times appears to be coming apart at its very seams. Yet, we still await His coming. Whatever happened to, “Surely, I come quickly?”

The problem is that we think with our “man-mind” instead of the mind of God. Jesus ahs not broken His precious promise, He is coming quickly. We are to be ever ready, ever diligent, ever on guard as we await His appearing. Since He could say to John, “I come quickly,” and since St Patrick was eagerly awaiting His “soon advent,” how much closer is His glorious return today!

Lord, as we go about our task today, help us to do so with “one eye heavenward” as we look for your coming. Nai erchomai kurious Iesus! Even so, come Lord Jesus!

[Watchman]

What a great day indeed! Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Friday May 6, 2005

Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:31-35)
No Christian could ever question the preeminent importance of love. "God is love (1John 4:8,16), and the greatest of the Christian virtues is love (1Corinthians 13:13). The first and second commandments of the law are love for God and love for one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Christ's new commandment, however, gives us a definition of love. To love as He loved, we must observe how Christ loved.
In the first place, His love was not a temporary thing: "When Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." (John 13:1)
The Lord Jesus Himself defined love this way: "Greater love has no man than this, than a man lay down His life for His friends." (John 15:13) However, Christ died not only for them back then, but for all of us: "But God commended His love for toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8).
"In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him...Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1John 4:9,11)
The measure of love is undeserved, yet gladly offered, in the substitutionary death of Christ for our sins. Whenever we think the love commandment is demanding too much of us, we should compare our love to His. "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2Corinthians 5:14-15)
"We love Him, because He first loved us." (1John 4:19). So it is that we must live for Him.

[C4K]

Monday, 9th May, 2005

“Behold, It was very good.” Genesis 1v31

In Genesis 1v1-2 we see the earth described as:
-without form
-void
-dark.

Then I verse 3 we read some amazing words, “And God said…” Throughout the chapter we see those words repeated – “and God said, and God saw, and God made, and God called.” Towards the end of every day we read these words. “And God saw that it was good.” After six days the work is done. What was without form now has mountains and valleys, rivers, streams, and oceans. Continents have taken shape. What was void is not full of life, plants, animals, and man himself. What was darkness now has the glorious sunshine by day and the wonders of the moon and stars by night.

What does God say when it is all done? “And behold, it was very good.” That word “very” always has the picture of exceeding greatness – “and behold, it was exceeding good!”

God says later in Scriptures, “I am the Lord, I change not.” The God of exceeding goodness in Creation has not changed one iota. He is still the same. He is still the God of goodness. Our God Who observed His Creation and proclaimed it “exceeding good” in Genesis 1v31 also said, “And we know that all things work together for good, to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8v28)

Who is the true judge of what is good? The answer is clear, the God Who created goodness. May remember today, that the God Who called His divine Creation good, says that all things work together for good for His people. Remind me today Lord, that You are the One who defines goodness!

[Watchman]

Yes Roger, and when God is left out, there is no focal, or reference point as to what is good. It has led to the sad state the world is in when, "The world by wisdom knew not God."
Thank Roger.

[Watchman]

Tuesday May 10, 2005

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
(John 13:36)
Notice the big difference here compared to what the Lord Jesus said to the Jews back in 8:34: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
But He now says to Peter, one of His own, “…but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”
What it all comes down to brethren is that there are only two types of people on this planet: the saved and the lost, or, if you will, the once born and the twice born. If you have come by faith trusting the Lord Jesus, your sins were dealt with there on His cross, if not and you die in that state, you “die in your sins” and the wrath of God abides on you (John 3:36). There is nothing more important for a lost world than trying to get them to grasp this very point. There are not “many ways to God, there is only one. There is a lot of talk nowadays about being intolerant and narrow minded. But, it occurs to this writer that when you open your Bibles to the New Testament, we are introduced to the most narrow-minded Person that ever walked the earth. Thou shalt not kill? Don’t even hate. Thou shalt not commit adultery? Don’t even look at another that way. Many ways to God? No, ONLY through Him He says.
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. (John 13:37-38)
Peter declares his allegience to Jesus, willing to die for Him. Yet Jesus proclaims that bold Peter, the leader would actually deny the Lord three times before the morning cock crows. The chapter ends with this contrast between Peter and Judas, one was broken, the other destroyed.

[C4K]

Wednesday, 11th May, 2005

“…I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself…” – Genesis 3v10

Adam and Eve had fallen into sin. The subtle one had come and shown them that which was “good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and that which would make one wise.” Choosing flesh over spirit, they gave in, Eve first and then Adam. Immediately they are filled with shame and attempt to cover their newly revealed nakedness by making coverings for themselves.

Later in the day it comes time to meet with God. There hear Him coming, but hide themselves. God, of course, as seen it all. He calls out “Where are you?” God is not fooled – He is forcing them to admit that they are hiding and explain themselves. Adam responds with the words above, “I was afraid, for I was naked, and I hid myself.”

It is very easy for us to look back at Adam and Eve and condemn them for their sin, and it is deserved. Yet, I think they have a lesson for us. Sadly the world around us have no problem walking about in the nakedness of their sin, but that is not the lesson for us. How often do we walk boldly before God in out own leaf coverings? How often do we sin as children of God and never deal with it, hiding the sin in our own pride? Often we don’t even have the decency to be ashamed of our sin as Adam and Eve were, We try to hide it, thinking that maybe God can’t see it.

Of course, as children of God our sin is covered by the blood of Christ. However, when we sin as Christians we must ask forgiveness to keep our walk with God pure and right. When we try to hide our sins in our own works, we are not better than Adam and Eve. In fact, we may be worse because we are children of God and are not even ashamed of our sin!

Father, remind me today of the immensity of sin as your child. Help me to remember that I am clothed in the righteousness of Your Son through His shed blood. Give me that shame of sin that Adam and Eve had, yet the knowledge that I need not try to hide. All I need is to come into your presence, admit my sin, and accept your glorious forgiveness.

[Watchman]

Thursday May 12, 2005

Chapter 14

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14:1-3)
The world has not seen the last of Jesus Christ! He was in the world once, but the world would not have Him, even though He had created it (John 1:10). While He was on earth, He made it clear that He would be returning some day to judge the world.
But here, in the upper room, just before His arrest and crucifixion, He told His disciples, for the very first time, that He would be coming for them personally, not to judge them with the world, but to "receive you to Myself." The Apostle Paul would write of this wonderful promise: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we will always be with the Lord. (1Thessalonians 4:16-17)
When He comes again, we shall be where He is, forever. In the meantime, the "dead in Christ" are already with Him. At that time, "we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1Corinthians 15:51-53)

During this present time, He is preparing a place for us. All of this is what we might expect from such a gracious and loving Savior.
The remaining eleven disciples had just seen their worlds turned upside down. A few days ago they had watched the people cry "hosanna" and expected any day now that Jesus would begin to rule and reign. Then Jesus was anointed and He claimed that it was for His burial. Now the Master had declared that one of them would betray Him and that He would go away. Peter's call to arms was met with a prophecy of Peter's three denials. They are devastated.
Only the Lord Jesus knew of His busy night ahead, yet Jesus would take the time to comfort and challenge His friends. Chapter 14 begins this section with a word of comfort: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." (14:1) Note that 14:1-5 will describe the comfort of God and 14:16-18 will show us the source of this comfort. Jesus takes His disciples back to the foundation of their salvation: "ye believe in God, believe also in me." There is no comfort to be found beyond the foundation of salvation. Our salvation is eternally secure and compared to an anchor of the soul (Heb. 6:18,19). Yet many churches teach that we must depend upon the works of the priest or some other religious leader to be accepted by God. Also, realize that comfort is not just an emotional pat on the back, but is based on the promises of God's Word.
Notice the rebukes, the challenges, and the commands that are included in "His Comfort."
14:2 begins with a promise of a home in heaven. Some scholars say that "mansions" should be translated "dwelling places." But let's view it from that future day when we are walking the streets of gold. Do we have a big God that could make mansions for all of us? Will heaven be big enough for "many mansions"? Will we be worried about our dwelling places however big they will be? We serve a big God Who can make mansions if He chooses, but the key is that He is coming again to take us with Him to Heaven and that we will be dwelling with God!

[C4K]

Friday, 13th May, 2005

“…Enoch walked with God…for three hundred years…and he was not for God took him.” Genesis 5v22-23

Here in the midst of a series of “begats” we find an amazing testimony of an Old Testament saint. Seven generations from Adam we encounter a man named Enoch. We read very little of this man. Except for the fact that he was a prophet who told of the Saviour’s coming to vanquish sin and bring about final victory over evil (read Jude vv14-15).

What do we read about Enoch here in Genesis? We do not read that he was a famous political leader. We do not read that he was a successful businessman. We don’t even read about his spiritual work. We do know that he didn’t have to face death. God simply took him. His walk put him so close to God that God spared him a normal death. However, that is not the topic of our thoughts this morning.

Our focus is on these simple words – “Enoch walked with God.” For much of the world there is one measure of success – “He who has the most toys wins.” There is a mad rush to “make it” by having loads of money and loads of possessions. For some success comes in being famous and great accomplishments. Even preachers can mark their success by the size of their church or the number of converts. Often, if one is just that average, everyday Christian they can feel like they really are not that important.

I think we can take from today’s passage that God has a different measure of success. “Enoch walked with God.” What a blessing if, at the end of my life, the one thing that could be said of me is that “Roger walked with God.” If I indeed walk with God than everything else will fall into place. It may not be what I what, but it will be what God wants. As I walk by His side I am able to follow His plans and directions for me. We need never fear or falling short if we walk with God as Enoch did.

Lord, may it be said of each of us that “____________ walked with God.”

[Watchman]

Monday May 16, 2005

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:4-6)
Many times along life's way we face uncertainties, opposition, and even doubt; when we do, it is helpful to recognize that those who lived with Christ when He was here on Earth faced the same perplexities. His answers and assurances to them in John 14 are meant for us as well.
Let not your heart be troubled," as He said in verse one, could be rendered: "Don't continue to be troubled." The solution is given: "You believe in God, believe also in Me." (vs. 1). We believe God can supply all the answers to our troubles. But Christ is God! He is the solution. He is "...The way, the truth and the life." (vs. 6) and is the only solution, for: "No one comes to the Father except through Me."

He is the Way
"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I got to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (vs. 2-3)
Whatever else may befall us, our destiny is sure. His reputation is at stake, for He has promised a place in His Father's house.

He is the Truth
Peter had just been informed of his coming denial (13:38), that he would openly assert a lie. Jesus said He is "the truth." "The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works." (vs. 10) Words and thoughts not in accordance with His are not "truth," we can be sure of that.

He is the Life
Speaking of His imminent death, Christ said, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you shall follow Me afterward." (13:36). This indicated their own eventual persecution and martyrdom. Yet their ultimate victory, as well as comfort, were assured.

How can those things be? "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (vs. 13)
Now we have a series of questions by the disciples which lead us to on of the greatest statements in the Scriptures. As the Master rebukes their unbelief and ignorance, He stresses the simplicity of the gospel. We must also remind ourselves that the disciples had no doubt that Jesus was the Son of God; it's just that they were expecting Jesus to be a ruling King instead of a suffering "Servant" Who had come to die. Jesus answers Thomas' question by giving us a three-fold declaration of His Deity. "I am the way" is very exact and narrow. Dr. McGee states that "The article in the Greek is an adjective. Jesus said, 'I am THE way.' He is not just a person who show the way, but He, personally, is the way. No church or ceremony can bring you to God. He is the way." (p. 460).
Worldly philosophy tells us that there are "many ways to God", but Jesus has just narrowed the choices down to one way. If Jesus had walked on earth today this statement would be considered extremely intolerant of all the other religions. The second declaration is that He is the "truth.) Again, He is not just stating that He tells the truth, rather He is the definition of truth. As stated in the introduction, "truth" is one of the key words in the Gospel of John. Notice that Jesus is the source of truth (1:17); "the truth shall make you free." (8:32); The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of truth" (14:17); Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified or set apart by His truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (17:17) Listen to His witness to the pagan ruler, Pilate (notice that He doesn't refer to His relationship to His Father, but to Pilate, He refers to "truth": "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (18:37) Realize that it is the "truth" of the Word of God that has given our country stability over the years. Now as America spurns the "truth" and openly rejects God, we are seeing the foundations of this country crumble.

The third declaration of Jesus is that He is "the life." Again He is not only alive, but it is declaring that He is the source of life.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 17th May, 2005

“…and the Lord shut Him in…and only Noah remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” – Genesis 7v16,23

I am so glad to read these words – “And the Lord shut him in.” It is one of those phrases that we can just pass over as part of a very familiar historical event. There are many great lessons in the account of the flood, but today we are going to focus on this one thing – “and the Lord shut Him in.”

Why is this little phrase so important? I think it puts God’s role of deliverance in perspective. In 1 Peter 3v20 the ark is used to illustrate salvation. Noah and his family had faith in God, they acted upon their faith by building and boarding the ark as their only hope of deliverance. The way out of destruction was there, but only eight people trusted it enough to act. When they boarded the ark their role in deliverance was done. Then, God shut the door and they were the only ones to survive.

God does the same thing in salvation. He calls us to allow others to know they way if deliverance – in essence we “build an ark” when we share the gospel with others. Noah spent 120 years building an ark. At the end of that time only he and his family accepted God’s way of salvation. Today we know that strait is the gate and narrow is the path that leads to salvation and there are few that follow it.

The great comfort comes in the knowledge that those who enter in are sealed as assuredly as Noah and his family were when God shut the door. When God shuts the door it is shut, deliverance has been made. When I got saved God “shut the door” behind me. Praise God that He shut me in! The closing of the door was His work, not mine. Therefore I can be assured that His work was final – there can be no undoing on my part. That is why Jesus can say “I will never leave thee or forsake thee.”

Thank you Lord that you closed the door of my salvation. No matter what comes across my path that is not going to change!

[following-Him]

Thank you. A great message.

God Bless

Sheila

[Watchman]

Such a great message in that story Roger, thank you. It is not only true that those outside were shut OUT, but that also those inside were shut IN.
The judgment of God was in the water, and those inside did not so much as get a toe wet.
Likewise, there is coming a great time of judgment and I believe with all my heart that those that are His will be spared this also. Those that have kept the faith, and has not denied his name will be taken from this time of trial and God's wrath (Revelation 3:10).
Many see it differently, and that's alright, they too, if are in Christ Jesus, will be pleasantly surprised!

[Watchman]

Wednesday, May 18,2005

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:6-12)
Jesus concludes this declaration (14:6) with an emphatic negative statement. He declares "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Can it be any clearer? He's the only way and there is no other way to God! In Mt. 7:13 Jesus explained "for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in threrat." There are many ways to hell, but only one way to heaven. Modern philosophy, sincerity, good works, and even religion itself will not lead you to God.
The disciples were still troubled by His words of His death, so again Jesus starts back at the basics of Who He was and His relationship with His Father. Jesus' message in the upper room was a summary of the truths He had shared since the beginning. (Earlier lessons about His relationship with His Father: John 5:17-47; 6:37; 6:44-46; 6:57; 6:65; 8:16-19; 8:28,29; 10:15-18; 10:30)
Then He pleads with them to remember His works and the miracles they had seen. The blind given sight, lepers cleansed, the lame walking again, demons cast out and even the dead raised to life! Now He challenges them (14:12) that their works in the future will be greater than His own! As the Lord Jesus spent only three and a half years in ministry and would soon be at the Father's side in heaven. His followers would be able to actually do more collectively as they would fan out in all directions with the power of God! "The one limitation is the measurement of our faith" declares Dr. Rice (p.279). He goes on to say that D.L. Moody preached to greater crowds and saw more saved then Jesus. Not to mention R.A. Torrey, Charles Spurgeon and George Whitfield. But look also at the apostles: Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost saw 3000 saved, then 5000 (4:4) then "multitudes" (5:14); Later we see Philip's revival in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8); followed by Paul reaching out to new nations (Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, Spain). Christ said "Ye are the light of the world." (Mt. 5:14)

[C4K]

Thursday, 19th May, 2005

Love in a rainbow

“I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a token of a covenant between me and the earth.” – Genesis 9v13

I am grateful for all of creation. I love all times of terrain. I love to see the seasons change. In this country we have all kinds of beauty. Because of the mixture of rain and sun we get to see rainbows on a regular basis. We even have driven into the very base of a rainbows a couple of times. It is an eerie feeling to see the mixture of colours in the air all around you, almost mystical. (Sadly, there was no pot of gold there, maybe it was as the other end.) We’ve seen many double rainbows, a few triple rainbows, and even a quadruple rainbow.

We all know that rainbows have a perfectly logical scientific explanation, but they are so more than just a natural phenomena. God meant them for a purpose as He tells us here. They are a sign of a promise that God made to man.

We can read over that and miss something of vital importance. God makes promises to men!! The eternal, perfect, holy, omnipotent God made, in this case, an unconditional promise to sinful man. He would never again destroy the earth with water. In it itself that is a great promise, but the very fact that God would make a promise is astounding in itself!

Why would an all-powerful God make a promise to man. The answer is simple – out of His live for us. We deserve nothing from God, but because He loves us He chooses to make promises to us. In this case he chose to remind us of that love with a wonderful token – the rainbow! Next time you have the joy of seeing a rainbow remember it as a token of God’s love for us!

In fact, all of God’s creation should remind us of His love. Look at these words from “The Valley of Vision.”

“When I feel the warmth of the sun may I praise the who art the Sun of righteousness with healing power.
When I feel the tender rain may I think of the gospel showers that water my soul.
When I walk by the riverside may I praise thee for the stream that makes the eternal city glad, and washes white the robes that I may have the right to the tree of life.”

Thank you Father, for the token of your covenant!

http://images.google.ie/images?q=tbn:XDPGqdxeuA4J:www.brayerhill.com/rainbow.jpg

[Watchman]

Thank you Roger.
My apologies to you and everyone. I intended to make a post for Friday, but, due to a shortage of help, I was called in to work on 3 hours rest, and when I finally got back home I didn't know anything until the alarm went off to come back in for another 12 hours!

Which does bring up a good point.
While we can have shortages of this or that down here, there are no shortages with God:

No shortage of His love for us, as He has demonstrated in giving His Son.
No shortage of His patience with us. (I sure speak for myself here.)
And defineately, no shortage of His mercy as the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, (continuously) cleanses us from all sin.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus our Lord."

[C4K]

Amen - no shortages in heaven! Wow - what a blssed thought. No shortgaes of fellowship, no shortages of time with familym amen and amen!

[C4K]

Monday, 23rd May, 2005

Following God
“Now the Lord had said to Abram, Get thee out of thy country…so Abram departed…” – Genesis 12v1,4

Can you imagine what it would be like for God to appear and tell you that He wants you pick up house and move, and tell you only that He will tell you where to go? This is exactly what happened to Abram. God told him to leave his country and his family and just go. We read just a couple of verse later that Abram departed, as God has told him to do.

Abram showed tremendous faith here. He simply chose to follow God’s way instead of the convenient way. This sounds great for Abram, but what about us? Nothing is more dear to most of us that our home and our family. We hate the thought of giving them up, or doing anything to rock the boat of our comfort zone.

Following God is not always an easy thing to do. It does not always (although it very well may) involve a physical departure from home and family. Sometimes it simply means that as we follow God we may be called upon to depart from the ways of our family. Sometimes we must absent ourselves from their way of life to follow Christ. Abram knew the concept which Jesus would later relate in Luke 9v23 – “…if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me…”

In the midst of God’s instructions to Abram we read these words, “…and I will bless you…” We know from the history of Israel that the nation did not always appear humanly speaking to be blessed. In fact, we find the first trouble in the end of this very chapter. A great famine came upon the people. This reminds me that sometimes we must endure the famines to see the blessing of God. However, we can be assured that God fulfils His promise and we know that the blessing of God was on Abram and his family. God blesses obedience in His way and His timing. We must rest assured in that.

Lord, help me to be like Abram. Help me to place more importance on following you than on ANYTHING else!

[Watchman]

Abraham believed God!
Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Tuesday May 24, 2005

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:13-15)
Another great truth recorded in 14:13,14 is that of prayer Jesus challenged them to pray in His name. Many of us will end our prayer, "In Jesus name, Amen." But what does that really mean? Dr. John R. Rice was known as a man of prayer. His classic book entitled, "Prayer, Asking and Receiving" is filled with many examples when he put that phrase into practice in his life. He explains "that when I come to pray in His name I am simply signing His name a authority. I am saying, 'Jesus wants this and I am simply asking it for Jesus'" (p. 282). When our Church: First Baptist Church of Mission, needs to pay the gas bill, we don't pass the plate and then as a large group walk into the gas company office and pay the bill. No, we authorize our treasurer to represent us and he signs a check in the name of the Church. He is authorized to carry out the desire of the Church, not to do as he pleases. So Jesus sends us out to do greater works (14:12) and then authorizes and provides the means to do His work.
We (the saved) are called "ambassadors" (2Cor. 5:20) and "stewards" (1Cor 4:1,2) of Christ. We need to be reminded often that it's His possessions in which we have been given. We need to be careful to carry out His wishes, not our own. Also notice that He follows this statement about prayer with the words: "If ye love Me, keep My commandments" (14:15). Again He is not endorsing some open-ended license to do or to get anything. (James 4:3 "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." 1John 3:22 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.")
Now 14:15 is a connection between the thought of prayer and the source of our comfort and strength, the "Comforter". As Jesus is preparing to go to the Father, He introduces them to His replacement. He distinguishes the Comforter, which He identifies later as the Holy Ghost, as "another" (Greek allos = "of the same sort" rather than heteros = "different"). Thus we have here another passage that speaks of the Trinity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all “of the same sort.”

[C4K]

Wednesday, 25th May, 2005

Dealing with Sodom

“And they took Lot, Abram's son, who dwelt in Sodom...” - Genesis 14v12
“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto the Lord, the most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth ... I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, 'I have made Abram rich.” - Genesis 22-24

Isn't it sad to see how quickly sin has an impact? In chapter 13 of Genesis Lot “pitched his tent towards Sodom.” Now he lives in Sodom. He knew this was wrong, he knew what kid of city it was, but he chose to live amongst the wickedness.

Next thing you know Lot finds himself the captive of an alliance of kings. We must note that sin has its consequences. If Lot had stayed out of Sodom he would never have been made a prisoner. Sadly though, sin affects more than just the sinner. In order to rescue Lot Abram was forced to put himself and 318 warriors at risk in order to rescue him. Abram and his men were successful in their effort. They rescued Lot, along with all of the war booty, along with the women who were captured and bring them all back to Abram's camp.

Later, after an encounter with the mysterious Melchizedek, Abram encountered the new king of Sodom who offered to allow Abram to keep all of the goods of the city if he would only return to people of the city.

We now see the proper response to wickedness. Abram boldly proclaimed - “I serve the Most High God. He possesses heaven and earth. I won't take anything from you for I don't want you to ever be able to say that you made me rich. God is the only One who could do that!”

We notice to the two attitudes toward the world. Lot was quick to accept all the world had to offer. Abram would not even take that which he could fairly have laid claim to. Lot was still focused on the temporal, Abram the eternal. “Look not on the things that are seen, but the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4v18).

May the Lord remind us and strengthen us to reject the fleshly eyes of Lot and have the spiritual eyes of Abram.

[Watchman]

Thursday May 26, 2004

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
(John 14:16-23)
Not only will He be similar to Jesus, but the Greek word parakletos = "called to one's side" is used here for Comforter and in 1John 2:1 it is translated "advocate." (Vine's Exp. Dict. P.111). The "Comforter" which is described as the "Spirit of Truth" will continue as God's presence on earth when Jesus ascends to the Father. As Jesus is "the Truth", the Holy Spirit will be the "Spirit of Truth" and therefore the Spirit of Jesus. He will represent us the Advocate. His ministry will be described later in 14:26; 15:26 and 16:7-15.
Notice the duration of time in 14:16 is "forever". During the Old Testament dispensation, the Holy Spirit worked temporarily in the lives of Gideon (Judges 6:34); Samson (Judges 15:14); King Saul (1Samuel 10:6; 16:14); King David (1Samuel 16:13) and Elijah (1Kings 18:12). In David's prayer of confession, he pleaded to God that the Holy Spirit wouldn't depart from him (Psa. 51:11). Today, during the time of the New Testament Church age, the Holy Spirit indwells a believer and will never depart. The teaching of 2Thes. 2: 2-8 refers to the Holy Spirit as the One Who "witholdeth" (or restrains) the work of the devil until that restraining power is "taken out of the way." This removal of the Holy Spirit will occur at the Rapture of the saints as He accompanies the believers to Heaven. The Holy Spirit will abide with us forever.
As Jesus again reminds them of His departure and return, the Lord begins to differentiate between the discouraged disciples and the world around them. Jesus declares that His disciples will have spiritual insight contrasted to the blindness of the world. The other disciple named Judas, the brother of James (Luke 6:16) asked the Master how will it be that the disciples will see Jesus, but the world can't? (14:22). But we see the patience of Jesus as He had just explained to them in 14:15,17&21. He continues by associating their "love" with their obedience. He will reveal Himself to those who love and follow Him. "If a man love Me, he will keep My words..(14:23)

[C4K]

Friday, 27th May, 2005

Abram believed God

“And he believed in the LORD; and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” - Genesis 15v6

Abram was still not too sure about things after the situation in Sodom and after God assurance that He would protect and provide for him. - “Lord, what are you going to give me ... Lord, you have given me nothing...” At this stage we don't see any great example of faith! Abram was human, just like us. He had doubts and fears about trusting God. Other times we see him act similarly.

Yet, in spite of those fears we see Abram make the most important choice of all. In verse 6 we read a statement which is repeated five times in the New Testament - “Abram believed in the LORD; and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

These are simple words, but they are of profound importance. Notice that it does not say, “Abram did the best he could...” or, “Abram was very religious in all his ways...” or, “Abram did all that the Lord asked of Him.” No, very simply we read - “Abram believed God...” This simple statement should solve the majority of the theological debates. Most religions are based on what man must “do.” True faith is based on believing what God has done.

What was the result? Was Abram made righteous? The Bible says that God accounted him as righteous. No one s righteous apart from Jesus Christ, but in salvation we can be accounted as righteous in Christ. God's very righteousness is imputed to sinful man. I no longer am trying to please God in my own feeble attempts at righteousness, for now God counts me as righteous.

Thank you Father, for accounting me as righteousness through the precious blood of Your Son! Remind me of that daily and help to believe you in EVERY situation.

[Watchman]

Monday May 30, 2005

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
(John 14:24-25)

Before the crucifixion our Lord gave a great amount of instruction to His disciples here in John 13-17. He repeats the phrase "These thing I have spoken" (or, "commanded") a number of times. Certainly the spoken word of Christ was of utmost importance, not only to the disciples at that time, but to us at the present time. When Christ speaks, God speaks, for He is God.
In this discourse the Lord Jesus Christ promises the following spiritual blessings to those who will, without wavering, obey His spoken word.

1. Fullness of joy. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (15:11) Joy results from a deep settled trust in what Christ has said.

2. True brotherly love. "These things I command you, that you love one another...as I have loved you." (15:17,12). The standard is Christ. We are to follow in his steps.

3. Stability in the face of persecution. "These things have I spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." (16:1-2) The true Christian does not stumble and fall away when tribulation comes, but stands strong in Christ.

4. Perfect peace. "These things have I spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 16:33)
The Lord has promised. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the word gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (14:27)

5. True spiritual understanding through the Holy Spirit. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you. (14:26)
May we earnestly trust and obey what Christ has spoken.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 31st May, 2005

Beer-la-hai-roi

“...thou shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction ... and she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me ... the well was called Beer-la hai-roi.”

Imagine poor Hagar. A simple servant, doing what was in her day one of the generally accepted jobs of a servant. Nine months of pregnancy knowing that the child she was carrying would not be hers. In the midst of her pregnancy she begins to “look down on Sarai” for some reason and as a result is finds herself in the wilderness. An emotional pregnant woman is, in her mind, alone and undone.

Suddenly an Angel appears to her – in the case God in the form of an angel. He gives her the promise of a great people through her son and then gives her a reminder. “Call your son Ishmael, because God has heard you in your affliction.” The name Ishmael means “God hears” so Hagar had a constant reminder of the truth that God does hear in affliction.

Next she gives her perspective on the situation. She calls the Lord “El-roi” - “God sees me”. Then she names the place where this happens “Beer-la-hai-roi” - “God lives and sees me.”

After this difficult situation Hagar leaves with a new picture of God in her heart. This servant, who was used as a tool for Abram and Sarai to try and accomplish God's work, is reminded that God hears her, sees her, and is alive.

How often do we forget those simple truths. Affliction comes and we think that God is deaf to our pleas, blind to our troubles, and dead and powerless to help.

May we be ever mindful of these marvellous truths.
Ishmael – God hears me
El-roi – God sees me
Beer-la-hai-roi – The God Who is alive sees

Praise the Lord that the He is alive and that He sees me and hears me!

[Watchman]

So much has been said of these two women, and these two sons. Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Wednesday June 1, 2005

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)
At the moment we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through faith, we are sealed "with the Holy Sprit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13, as God the Father sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts The Holy Spirit then testifies of Christ (John 15:26), so that we are energized with boldness and power to proclaim Jesus to a lost world.
In fact, "no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit is sent to us in Christ's name (John 14:26). glorifying Christ (16:14), and teaching us all things (14:26) The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, as He brings Christ's word into our remembrance (v.26) and reveals the things of God (1Corinthians 2:11).
As believers we must realize that our bodies are not or own, but rather temples of the Holy Spirit. (1Corinthians 6:19). We are thus exhorted to "be filed with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), which essentially means that our mind, will, and emotions are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word is pleroo, which means, "filled to he full," denoting that we are to make no room for the flesh. Instead, we are to "Walk in the Spirit and...not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).
Perhaps the greatest blessing of having the Holy Spirit indwelling us is having God's love poured out into our hearts (Romans 5:5). It is only by His Holy Spirit that we can possibly "comprehend with al the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:18-19)

[C4K]

Is anything to hard for the Lord?

“Is anything to hard for the Lord? At the appointed time...” Genesis 18v14

Abraham is now at least one hundred years old and Sarah at least ninety. They have been waiting and waiting for the promised son. They have tried everything to try and see their prayers answered. Abraham even suggested to God that God let Ishmael be permitted to be his heir. Yet, still no son, still no answer to prayer. Circumcision has been added as sign of God's covenant, but still no son.

One day Abraham sees three men approaching his tent. Being a gracious host he invited them into dinner and Sarah prepares a great meal for them. While Sarah is in another part of the tent the men tell Abraham that Sarah is indeed going to have a child. This old woman, far past the years of child bearing hears the comment and does the natural thing – she laughs!

We now discover that the visitor is the LORD Himself. He says, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything to hard for the LORD? At the appointed time ... Sarah shall have a son.”

The rhetorical question is obvious and the answer is clear. “Is anything to hard for the Lord?” Is giving a ninety year old woman a son too hard for the Lord? Is meeting our financial needs to hard for the Lord?” Is seeing souls saved in a seemingly hopeless situation too hard for the Lord? Is your present trial too hard for the Lord?

The answer is clear – nothing is too hard for the Lord.

We must look what comes next though, “In the appointed time...” Nothing is too hard for the Lord, clearly, but He will work “in the appointed time.” God always does His work in the appointed time. He doesn't work in the time I appoint but in the time that he appoints.

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Not in the appointed time!!

[Watchman]

One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience. God help us all to have it as we wait on the Lord!
Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Friday June 3, 2005

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
(Joh 14:26-31)
Now Jesus speaks again of the Comforter in 14:26 which He clearly identifies as God, the Holy Ghost. He reveals part of the Spirit's coming ministry to be our Teacher. Anything we learn about God is the result of His guidance in our minds. He also brings to remembrance those thoughts of past days.
The apostle John would refer to the words of Jesus that were remembered after His resurrection (John 2:22; 12:16).
The fourteenth chapter is concluded with Jesus words of peace. The world considers "peace" as a time without wars, but the peace which God gives far exceeds a cessation of strife. "Peace, be still" spoken by Jesus caused the sea to be calm. "Go in peace" was said to the woman who washed His feet. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) Paul also tells us "to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6) Romans 0:15 tells us to "peach the gospel of peace." Gal. 5:22 declares "peace" as one of the fruits of the Spirit and Eph. 2 speaks of how Christ reconciled a Holy God and sinful man by becoming "our peace" (2:14-18) Phil. 4:6-9 tells us that if we have the right mind and think on godly and virtuous things, then He will guard ("keep") our minds with the peace of God.
He ends the chapter as He began: "Let not your heart be troubled." The next words are hard for the grieving to understand, yet they are very true. The disciples were grieving His soon departure, yet He reproves them for not being glad as He returns unto His Father. With these words they depart from the upper room and begin the journey to the garden.

[C4K]

Vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked

“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat at the gate of Sodom.” -
Genesis 19v1

We see the tragic result of where compromise leads. The first time we read of Lot's relationship to Sodom we saw that he “pitched his tent” in that direction. Next, we saw that he dwelt in Sodom. Now, he is sitting at the gates of the city with the city leaders. What a vicious cycle of sin begins we we allow our sights to be set on wickedness. Lot's sin goes so far that when the Sodomites come after his visitors he offers them his virgin daughters instead. His family's sin is so deeply engrained that his wife can't help turning around for one last look. It is so bad that his daughters try to solve the problem of no heir by getting Lot drunk and committing incest with him.

How did things get this bad? How does a just man (2 Peter 2v7) get to the point that he will offer his children to the wickedness of the world? It all began when he pitched his tent in that direction. Lot was a saved man, 2 Peter 2v6-7 makes that clear. Yet those verse also say that he was “vexed,” or worn down by the sins of the city. They vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their wickedness. Although Lot was delivered he lost his wife, and his daughters fell into deep sin.

That is the very nature of wickedness. If we pitch our tents in its direction we are asking for trouble. We must do all we can to avoid looking in the wrong direction.

Yet today we are surrounded by wickedness. Sodom is amongst us. What do we do know as we find ourselves vexed by the filthy conversation of the world. We do well to heed the words of Philippians 2v15 - “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” In order to spare our families we must, by the grace of God live lives that are blameless and harmless, shining as lights in this world of great darkness.

[Watchman]

Tuesday June 7, 2005

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
(John 15:1-8)
The Lesson of the Vine (Part One)
On their journey to the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus teaches them an object lesson about vines and branches. Possibly they passed by a vineyard on that last night's journey. Now they were all familiar with vines, and vines were used in the Old Testament as a picture of Israel (Psa. 80:8-16; Isa.5:1-13; Jer. 2:21; Ez. 17:2-10)
As we begin to study this passage, let's first look at what it does not teach. It does not refer to a person's salvation and any risk of losing it. Rather, it is a lesson that is sandwiched between truths about the promised Comforter, the Holy Spirit. It is a lesson about the source of their spiritual power. Their dependency upon the power of God would determine whether or not any fruit would abound from their "branches."
Now Jesus begins this object lesson with the declaration, "I am the True Vine." As previously stated, Israel was symbolized as God's vine, but by their rebellion and wickedness, they were cast off. Hosea 10:1: "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself." H.A. Ironside comments: "He (Israel) had gone all to wood and leaves, but there was no real fruit for God." (Gospel of John, p. 646) Israel was not bringing other nations to God, but was becoming just like the other nations in their wickedness. Therefore, Jesus has come as the "True Vine" that will bring forth spiritual fruit to God's glory. Fruit-bearing is the theme and abiding is the key. Jesus said "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." (15:4) It becomes a choice of dependency upon God and being independent of God's help.
Now we don't think of a branch deciding to break away from the vine, but spiritually we do have that option. Compare it to Jesus words of the Shepherd and His sheep. The Shepherd leads the sheep, but it is the choice of the sheep to follow. The Shepherd will discipline the sheep; He will search for the wanderers; He will try to protect them from the wolves; yet the sheep must choose to follow the Shepherd. Are you independent, supplying your own needs or are you living by faith, asking God to supply your needs? Are you too busy to pray or are you determining to stay until God answers your prayer? You may ask "How do we abide in Him?" Abiding in the vine is like the blood which carries our nourishment to our body. To think that we can be independent from God and do it ourselves would be similar to severing a limb from our body. We depend upon God for our breadth, our food, water, and so forth. Yet mankind thinks that they are so smart that we don't need God! No, we need to be like a newborn babe who finds all their needs met by a loving parent. We are able to abide in God by the knowledge and application of His Word. Verse 15:7 tells us "and my words abide in you". But it is hard to abide in Christ when we never study what he told us.

[C4K]

Wednesday, 8th June, 2005

As He had said

“And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to unto Sarah as he had spoken” - Genesis 21v1

What wonderful words! After twenty-five years of waiting, plotting,and human scheming by Abraham and Sarah the entire perspective changes. Now we hear from God!

I notice a couple of major points here.

1 – The Lord visited Sarah as He had said
2 – The Lord did unto Sarah as He had spoken

Several times Abraham and Sarah and tried to sort things out their way. Every human effort failed and only made things worse. Now – God acts according to what He says.

Isn't it a great comfort to know that God does what He says he will do for us? If God says it we can trust that it is true and that He will do it. It may not be according to my plan, or the way I want to see it done, or according to my time frame, but God will act as He has spoken.

Why is it that we fail to grasp this? Why do we want God to act as we say instead of as He says? Because our ways our not His ways, our thoughts are not His thoughts. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are His ways than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.

God says that His word will not return void.
God says that we will reap if we faint not.
God says that all things work together for good, them those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.

Do we believe that? Can we trust God to do as “He had said?” Did God love Sarah any more than me?

May we trust God in every situation to do “as He had said.”

[Watchman]

What can we say Roger, God is faithful!

[Watchman]

Thursday June 9, 2005

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
(John 15:1-8)
The Lesson of the Vine (Part Two)

Another truth we find in this picture of the vine is that the keeper will prune some branches and others will be purged so that the vine as a whole will bear more fruit. Pruning will help a branch concentrate on fruit-bearing instead of just putting on more leaves. Many Christians want to have fellowship, but refuse to work in the fields.
Another problem fruit-bearing trees have is that too many branches growing in a small area will cause the fruit to be injured or its growth stunted. Purging conflicting branches allows the remaining branches to produce more fruit. Also the clearing of dead branches will make room for the remaining healthy branches. Many Christians have stopped abiding in the True Vine and have withered up to nothing. They are not useful except for kindling. Many pastors have been cast away and are unfit for the ministry. Again it is not talking of their salvation, but their fruit-bearing. Their sin has corrupted their testimony to where they are detrimental to the cause of Christ. The Bible speaks of Demas, a faithful servant with Paul of whom later it was written: "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." (2Timothy 4:10) We need to be careful to be "clean through the word" (15:3) lest we also become withered up and cast away.
Abiding does not speak of age or maturity for the aged grandparent still needs to eat as a newborn babe. Do not think that you can survive off the blessings of past victories of years ago. Abide in the vine and continue to bear fruit till Jesus comes! It is the old, majestic, living tree, not the little seed that brings glory to God. (Psa. 92:12-14)
Let's return back to the problem of too many good branches. As a fruit tree or vine concentrates on its growth, many branches will sprout in the same area.
The wise keeper will prune away some of the good branches so that the remaining branches will have room for their fruit. We also need to be constantly pruning back good things that keep us from doing the best things of God's will. Your pruning will be different than others, but it will involve things that hinder your spiritual growth. Do you have a passion to serve God or is your life filled with stuff that keeps you from God? If you are a child of God, He will be trying to prune some of the extra branches. Let's look at the example of sports: The Bible tells us to take care of the temple of our body and sports is a fun way to achieve that goal. But when people are singed up for events that take them away from serving God, it can become their "god." Soon they are "worshipping" their recreation and amusements (sporting events, leagues, camping and boating, etc.) on a regular basis, yet they can't come to Church! We all need vacations, but some have to take breaks from their recreation!
Realize that the pain of God's pruning away extra stuff in our life is essentially the same. Yet think of two people in an emergency room: one is awaiting an antidote for a poisonous snake bite; while the other is having a needle draw a sample of a cancerous tumor. Which one will hurt the most? We need to trust God as He wisely prunes both the good and the bad in our lives.
Furthermore, God sometimes will prune us in the form of testing and trials to increase our faith. The wise keeper of the vine knows "The vine's ability to produce growth increases each year, but with intensive pruning the plant weakens and the crop diminishes. Mature branches must be pruned hard to achieve maximum yields." (Wilkinson, The Secrets of the Vine, p. 71) Some times we think that we have arrived spiritually, being able to coast the rest of the way to heaven. But the Bible is full of examples of God's testing in the lives of older, mature believers. Abraham was serving God when he was challenged to offer his only son, Isaac. Job was not only concerned with his own spiritual life, but that of his children when God allowed him to suffer. Paul was even told when he started how much he would suffer for God, yet we are indebted to him today. In his later years, Daniel was praying to God when they threw him into a den of lions.
Before we move on, let's look at the phrase to "abide in Him." Again with the words of J.C. Ryle: "To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him-to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best Friend. - To have His words abiding in us, is to keep His sayings and precepts continually before our memories and minds, and to make them the guide of our actions, and the rule of our daily conduct and behavior." (Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Vol. IV, p. 338) It is easy to understand how the person who abides in Christ will have their prayers answered, having assurance that their discipleship is real and alive.

[C4K]

Friday, 10th June, 2005

We Will Come Again to You

“And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you.” Genesis 22v6

It appears the Abraham has finally learned to trust God. After all of the mistakes, fears, doubts, lies, and manipulations he came to a supreme test. We saw yesterday how quickly he responded to God's call on him to sacrifice Isaac, he moved immediately. Now we are given a bit more insight into Abraham's heart.

As he and Isaac prepare to go up to the mountain Abraham tell the servants to mind the donkey, and that he and Isaac are going up to worship and that THEY will return. Abraham finally had absolute confidence that God was going to fulfil His promises. According to Hebrews 11v19 Abraham fully believed that God was going to allow him to sacrifice Isaac and that God would then raise him back to life. Abraham had learned that even death could not stop God achieving His purpose.


What did Abraham choose to do during this test of his faith? “We will go and worship...” It is not often that we associate worship with testings. Abraham had learn to trust and worship his God even when God called on Him to sacrifice his son.

May we trust god enough to give Him our worship, knowing, like Abraham, that God always does right.

[Watchman]

Monday June 13, 2005

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5)
The lesson of the Vine (Part 3: Abiding)
The great theme of abiding in Christ finds its fullest expression here in the 15th chapter of John, where the word occurs at least ten times (it is also translated "continue" or "remain"). Abiding in Christ is not a sort of pious spirituality, as some have said, but one that produces godly, practical living. If we consciously abide (or "continue") in Him, it will make a great difference in our lives.
"He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk as He walked."
(1John 2:6) If we are truly living in Christ, and He in us, we would be living as He would live.
"Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." (1John 3:24)
When one is abiding in Christ, he will produce much spiritual fruit, and will experience many answers to prayer. Furthermore, that fruit which is borne will "remain." (John 15:16).

To "abide in Christ" is simply to "walk, even as He walked," for He has left us an "example, that (we) should follow His steps" (1Peter 2:21). But this requires that His words must abide in us. "Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father." (1John 2:24)
And now, as His return is near, it is more important then ever that we
"abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." (1John 2:28)
All of this can be, and is, so easily misunderstood. Many would use this, and other passages as proof that one can be saved, and subsequently, lose their salvation, because they didn't "abide". But we must grasp the fact brethren that we do not deserve to be saved, nor do we deserve to stay saved. Also, it is the Good Shepherd that does the keeping, He is faithful.
A careful read here shows that the Lord was speaking of bearing fruit, fruit that produces rewards that the Lord Jesus will give at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Sheep can never go astray if they stay close to the Shepherd, that goes without saying.
Now those who show no interest in the things of God at all, and you cannot tell them apart from anyone else in the world-have they been born again?

[C4K]

Tuesday, 14th June, , 2005

Jehovah-jireh

“..Abraham said, God will provide Himself an lamb for the burnt offering ... And Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah-jireh...” _ Genesis 22v8, 14

Throughout the Word of God we find many many names referring to God. “Jehovah-jireh is one such name. It means, “The Lord will be seen,” or, “The Lord will provide.” The two meanings fit together will for the Lord is clearly seen in His provision here for His people.

Over and over again in the lives of God's people we have been able to boldy proclaim - “Jehovah-jireh, the Lord is my provider.” He provides life and health and manifold blessings. He provides us with His precious Word. He provides for our material and spiritual needs. Indeed, we can praise God that He is our Jehovah-jireh!

However, let us look just a little deeper here. Isaac was on the altar and Abraham was ready to sacrifice his only son. At the last minute God intervened and provided a sacrifice to take Isaac's place. In this we see the ultimate example of God as our Jehovah-jireh. By all rights each one of us should have been laid on the altar to vainly attempt to pay the penalty for our sins. Yet, because of His love for us, God provided a sacrifice in our place! Here we are introduced the a concept the theologians call “substitutionary atonement.” The ram went to the altar in the place of Isaac just as Christ went to the cross in our place!

Praise the Lord that He provided Himself a sacrifice for our sins and that His Son took our place on the cross!

[Watchman]

He was treated like we deserve, so we could live with Him forever.
Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Wednesday June 15, 2005

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
(John 15:9-11)
Jesus speaks of joy on this night of suffering.
Now the Lord Jesus combines the two previous concepts, our keeping His commandments and our abiding in Him. The result is that our "joy might be full." Yet many people want joy without obedience; joy without abiding. Also realize that Jesus speaks of real joy which comes from the heart, not just an emotional happiness that is based upon our conditions. This joy in our heart is the best testimony to the world around us as we look beyond our temporary conditions and struggles to see our eternal future in the presence of God.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
(John 15: 12-17)
A New Commandment and a New Name
Continuing His application of the object lesson of the vine, Jesus connects abiding in Him with our obedience which is shown by our love for others. Earlier that night Jesus had declared to them: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (13:34,35). Later the apostle John would refer to this as the "New Commandment" (1John 2:3-10). Notice that the context in 1John 2 speaks of both obedience and abiding. See also 1John 3:23,24 as the Christian life in a nutshell.
Now Jesus tells them of the great example of His sacrificial love for His friends. Then in 15:14 the Master declares: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." You see our love is shown by our actions. There is a saying that "our walk talks louder than our talk talks." You can say that you love Jesus, but if you do not obey Him, it is just talk. You can say that you obey Him, but if you do not love your Christian brother, it's just talk.
H.A. Ironside gives an example of the Christian's talk vs. His walk. He said, "Long years ago a missionary over in China was engaged in the work of translating the New Testament into Chinese. He had an imminent scholar assist him, a Confucianist who had never heard of Christianity until the missionary had engaged him to help in the translation. He sat with him day after day, and together they went over the New Testament page by page and verse by verse. The Chinese scholar would suggest the proper Chinese word in order to make the meaning plain. The missionary was a painstaking person and anxious to produce a splendid translation. One thing he thought he had better not do was to talk religion with his helper. So he was very careful, and never said a word to the man about his need for Christ and the salvation of his own soul. But finally when they had finished, he thought he ought to say something. He said. 'You have been a great help to me. I could not have gotten along without you, and now I would like to ask, as we come along through the New Testament, has not the beauty of Christianity appealed to you? Would you not like to be a Christian.' The scholar looked at him and said, 'Yes it does appeal to me. It is the most wonderful system of ethics and philosophy I have ever known I think that if I could once see a Christian I might become interested.'
"But," said the missionary, "I am a Christian.' 'You,' said the Chinese scholar, 'are you a Christian? Oh, no, pardon me, I don't want to offend you, but I have observed you and listened to you all the way along. You are not a Christian. If I understand aright, a Christian is a follower of Jesus, and Jesus says, 'A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.' But I have listened to you talk about others who were not present, saying unkind things about them. You are not a Christian. And then I have noticed that Christianity teaches perfect trust, and I translated for you a passage that says, 'My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,' and you are told to trust and not be afraid, but you don't do that. If your check is a little late in reaching you, you are dreadfully worried and you wonder what you are going to do.' And he went on with a number of things like that, ending with, 'I have had to conclude that you are not a Christian. I think if I could see a Christian, I would like to be one.'" (Ironside, Gospel of John, p. 666-667)
"Henceforth" (15:15) gives us a summary of the roadside teachings that night. Because of their obedience to His commands and their dependence in Him as their source of life (abiding), they could become friends. A servant has no right to question a command, nor the reason for it, but a friend is given the explanation for why some things occur. To a stranger on the street you say in answer that you are "fine", but to your friend you explain all the fears and joys. It is a great thing to be able to be the friend of God!
(15:16) He also reminds them of their calling. They had not volunteered for service, but were all chosen and called by God to do a work. To Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, Jesus asked them to be "fishers of men". To Matthew Jesus simply said, "Follow Me." All of them were chosen by God for a special work; they will later be called Apostles. Dr. Oliver B. Greene ties the work of these Apostles to Christians today by referring to Heb. 2:3,4: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His will?" (Greene, John Vol. III p. 59) We are not the Apostles which God used to write the Bible, but now that we have the Word of God; how can we neglect it?

[C4K]

Thursday, 16th June, 2005

Don't take my son back there!

“But Abraham said to him, 'Beware that you do not take my son back there' ... 'only do not take my son back there'...” - Genesis 24v6,8 NKJV

The time has come for Isaac to take a wife. Knowing that God did not want him to marry into the paganism of Canaan, Abraham prepares to send a servant back “home” to find a wife. The servant ask the obvious question, “What if she won't come? Should I take Isaac back there to her?”

Abraham's reply leaves not doubts, “Beware that you do not take my son back there!” and a couple of verse later, “Only do not take my son back there!”

Why such a strong response? Why was he so dogmatic? The answer is in between the two comments. Abraham said that God had taken him out of that land and put him in the new land, promising to give it to him.

In following God there is “no turning back” Part of the song goes, “I have decided to follow Jesus ... no turning back.” Jesus said in Luke 9v62, “...no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” If we want to be disciple we are told to take up our cross and follow Him.

From all of this I think there is a very clear lesson. Following God is a one way decision. There is no going back to the old way of life. When God leads and directs us to a specific service for Him we need to be very careful before quitting before the task is done.

Abraham would not hear of “going back home” to his family for God had directed him otherwise. May we not look back after putting our hand to the plough!

[Watchman]

Friday June 17, 2005

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
(John 15:18-25)
Now Jesus follows these words of challenge with a reminder of their standing in this corrupt world. They need to follow His commandments summarized by the great commandments to love God and to love one another. Yet at the same time they need to realize that the world around them will "hate" them. Those that follow Christ will be misunderstood and mistreated by those who do not know God. You see it isn't something you say or do, but the problem really is a family thing. The world around you is of their "father, the devil" (John 8:44), and saints are of their heavenly Father. Jesus declares, "But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me." (15:21) He goes on to say that Bible preaching reveals sin which the world tries to cover up as did Adam and Eve. When the first couple knew that they had sinned, the first thing they did was to make clothes of fig leaves.
Remember they were the only people on earth, so they were only hiding from God! Jesus had told Nicodemus that "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19,20) One thing on the positive side of persecution is that though they may hate us, they will listen to us. Jesus said, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (15:20)

[C4K]

Monday, 20th June, 2005

Good or Bad?

“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee good or bad.”

The time has come for Eliezer to come to Rebekah's family about taking her back to Isaac. He properly goes to the family first instead of her. After he lays out exactly what has happened he asks them for permission to take her back.

Let us put ourselves in their shoes. A total stranger has come to take Rebekah away forever. He claims to be the servant of a distant relative, but there is no “proof,” only the testimony of a servant who explains what has happened. Eliezer's argument must have been persuasive for they were convinced that this was indeed from the Lord.

They reply of Laban and Bethuel is telling. “This is God's doing, who are we to judge if it is bad or good?”

What a wonderful, trusting perspective! To often we base goodness on our human perspective of it. If something is the will of God we cannot judge if it is bad or good. God is good and He always does what is good for His people. Rebekah's family surely did not want to see her leave, that is clear later in the chapter. However, they had enough faith to know that man is no position to judge if something that God brought into their lives was bad or good.

Father, give us the heart of Laban and Bethuel today. May we never have the audacity to try and decide if what you do is good or bad.

[Watchman]

Tuesday June 21, 2005

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
(John 15:26)

15:26 - 16:15 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We have a great God! As He shows us the battle lines drawn in the sand; as we need to win to Christ an enemy that hates us, He also quickly remind us of our secret weapon - God the Holy Spirit indwelling us! Back in 14:16,17, He was introduced as "the Comforter." Then in 14:26, Jesus reveals that He is the Holy Ghost which was promised earlier by John the Baptist (Mt. 3:11) Jesus had also previously taught them to realize that "blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." (Mt. 12:31,32). Now the Master reveals the eternal nature and personality of the Holy Spirit. He is the "Spirit of truth" as stated back in 14:17, but then Jesus reveals that He "proceedeth from the Father" which speaks of Him being more than just an influence or feeling. Dr. J.C. Ryle declares, "Reason and fairness require us to understand that it is a personal Being who is here mentioned." (p. 360) Many religions reduce or remove the ministry of God, the Holy Spirit; but to do so is to ignore the most active person of the Trinity in the world today. Romans 8:9 declares "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
The next few words are very important. They state: "He shall testify of Me." (15:26). The Greek word for spirit is pneuma, which is neuter gender, normally requiring "it" as the pronoun. But when referring to the Holy Spirit, the masculine forms are used, showing Him as the third person of the Godhead. Now it says, "He shall testify of Me." And 16:14 states: "He shall glorify Me." The chief work of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Christ and point sinners to the work of Christ on the cross.
Any form of religious service that brings undo attention to the Spirit is not of God, the Holy Spirit! Many things are done today in the name of the Spirit in charismatic churches that do not honor Christ. He is truly God, yet His ministry is one of quietly working in the hearts of men and women.
We need to be careful not to follow those who misuse the power of the Holy Ghost as a tool for selfish motives, yet many times we as Baptists are scared to get excited for God, thinking that someone might think we have become Charismatic!

[C4K]

Wednesday, 22nd June, 2005

Asking God

“...and she [Rebekah] said, “If all be well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.” - Genesis 25v22 (NKJV)

Abraham has died. All of his possessions have been passed on to Isaac and he and Rebekah settled in the wonderfully named area of Beer Lahai Roi (You are the God Who sees). How important it is that we remember the lessons of Beer Lahai Roi in our homes. “Unless the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it,” we read in the Scriptures. Let's make sure that we set up our lives and our homes on the basis of Beer Lahai Roi.

That is not our thought for today though. Like her mother-in-law, Rebekah had difficulty conceiving. Isaac may very well have thought, “Here we go again. I don't want to wait until I am 100 to have a son.” When Isaac prayed for his wife she conceived. What joy must have filled their hearts!

Rebekah's pregnancy was difficult. The Bible tells us that the “children struggled together within her.” Unable to get a scan, Rebekah was apparently unaware that she was carrying twins. She didn't understand what was going on. Why was this pregnancy so difficult. “If everything is okay,” she asks, “why am I having all this trouble?”

We don't always understand our own difficulties of life. Why does everything end up being a struggle? Why does it seem that everything we attempt for God seems so difficult?

Rebekah set a pattern for us all. The dear lady of God did the right thing - “...she went to inquire of the Lord.” Rebekah had the right focus. Instead of whining and complaining she simply went to inquire to the Lord. She took her burden to the Lord. She knew the principle of Philippians 4v6-7; “Be careful [full of cares] for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

When we feel those struggles in our own lives, may we follow the example of Rebekah and simply “inquire of the Lord.”

[Watchman]

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Thanks Roger

[Watchman]

Thursday June 23, 2005

Chapter 16

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
(John 16:1-11)
Chapter 16 continues the thought of the ministry of the Holy Spirit as Jesus reminds them of His soon departure. He gives some details that these disciples don't want to hear. They will be persecuted and killed by those who consider themselves be religious. He realizes their sorrow as this night has been a night that has turned from celebration to sorrow. A few hours ago they were ready to usher in the kingdom and now they are needing to prepare their wills! So Jesus comes back to the promise of the comforter, God, the Holy Spirit.
In 16:7-11 Jesus now explains more of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As the Master reminds them of the need for His soon departure, He again reveals that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit will be sent to them. Notice that in 14:16 and in 14:26 Jesus makes reference to the Father sending the Spirit, while in 15:26 and now in 16:7 it is clarified that Jesus will send the Spirit from the Father. Here is another example of Christ's own understanding of His Deity as no mortal man could make that claim. Bishop Ryle remarks, "It seems clearly laid down that the Holy Ghost's coming down into the world with influence and grace, was a thing dependent on our Lord's dying, rising again, and ascending into heaven." (Ryle, vol. IV p. 376)
Now we see the reason for the change as the Son of God becomes our High Priest and goes to Heaven as our Mediator and advocate while the Holy Ghost begins an active ministry in the lives of the saints. Jesus Christ, confined by the restraints of a physical body, could not be in more than one place at a time, but now the Holy Spirit can work everywhere simultaneously.
In 16:8-11, the Holy Spirit's first ministry mentioned is that of reproving the world. He convicts the world in three ways:
1. Of sin - the sin that condemns a soul to hell is not murder, abuse or adultery. It is unbelief in the work of Christ.
2. Of righteousness - as Jesus lived a perfect life and was returning to the Father with His mission accomplished and set the plum-line for any who would try to gain entrance to Heaven by their own works. The Holy Spirit reveals our faults as "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We (the saved) have been made righteous or justified by the finished work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary. Romans 5:18: "Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
3. Of judgement - This is not speaking of the coming day of judgement, but that Satan, the "prince" or god of this world has already been judged and found guilty. Way back in Gen. 3:15 God had promised that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of Satan and now in the Cross we see that death blow.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee continues this thought saying, "We live in a world that has already been judged and is like the man waiting in death row for his execution. The judgement against all of us is 'Guilty' because all our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags in the sight of God. If we had to stand before God in our own filthy rags, we would not only be ashamed of ourselves, but we would see how guilty we are." (McGee, vol. IV p. 473)
The second work of God, the Holy Ghost is that of guiding the believers. (Mk. 13:11; Lu. 12:12). Jesus declared that they were not ready to bear al the things that would soon be revealed. After the resurrection many things would be clearer to these disciples. The Holy Spirit would begin to teach and guide them "into all truth." Back in 14:17 and 15:26 He is called the "Spirit of truth." One of the greatest threats to the soon to form Churches (and today, for that matter) would be the false prophets. (2Tim. 3:1-8; 2Pet. 2: 1-3; 2John 9,10)
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, as stated earlier "shall not speak of Himself" (16:13), but will take His place in the Triune chain of command. He will reveal the will of God to us and Jesus again notes that the Holy Ghost will "glorify Me." We need to remember that the focus of this dispensation of grace is to glorify the Son and His work of salvation. Dr. J. Vernon McGee said: "I listened to a man on a radio program saying, 'We are having a Holy Ghost revival; the Holy Ghost is working; the Holy Ghost is doing this and that.' The minute he said all those things, I knew the Holy Ghost was not working. Why? Because the Lord Jesus made it very clear that the Holy Ghost will not speak of Himself. Then how can you tell when the Holy Spirit is working? He will glorify Christ. My friend, when in a meeting or Bible study you suddenly get a glimpse of the Lord Jesus and He becomes wonderful, very real and meaningful to you, that is the working of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, 'He will glorify Me'." (McGee, vol 4. P.474)
Let's summarize the work of the Holy Spirit in today's world.
First, He indwells the believers, living in their hearts. He will never leave us as He is our "earnest" and "seal" (Eph. 1:13,14). Now, since He has taken up permanent residence in us, He will be in the world as the One who is withholding (restraining) the power of Satan at bay until the saints are raptured to Heaven (2Thes. 2:6-8).
Secondly, He reproves the world (John 16:8-11)
Third, He is the great Teacher of the saints. The very Word of God would be completed by the work of the Holy Ghost (2Peter 1:21). As the Author, He is our great Teacher, Encourager as He will help us pray, interceding for us (Romans 8:26,27). Our whole life as a Christian is under His direction as He leads us and provides gifts for each believer (Romans 12:4-8; 1Cor. 12: 1-11).

[C4K]

She is my sister

“And the men of the place asked him of his wife: and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife...” Genesis 26v7

Isaac and Rebekah are have returned to Gerar. The men of the place came to him and asked him about his wife. He is immediately struck with fear that they might kill him to take his beautiful wife.
Si he did the first thing that came to his mind – he lied. “She is my sister” he boldly proclaimed. Of course he was found out and Abimelech looked out the window and saw his, As the KJV says, sporting with her. Abimelech immediately called him to account for his deception and he admitted what he had done.

Does the story sound familiar? It ought to, it is almost an exact replay of what Isaac's father had done. Lying, of course, is a sin that God hates. The sin goes deeper though. Abraham had passed on his doubts about God's ability to his own son. This character flaw in the man of God was continued into the next generation. Even after all that he had seen, including his near sacrifice Isaac did not really trust God completely.

They are a couple of things to note. First, we are reminded again of the practical difficulty of trusting God in every situation. It just made sense to Isaac to lie about Rebekah. He was thinking about himself, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice his own wife to the desires of the men of Gerar. God had to step in and use a lost man to protect Rebekah. How sad it is when the world has more regard for the things of God that God's people do.

There is another lesson here for us. In this one area at least Abraham had failed his son. Abraham's flaws had now been revealed in Isaac. Isn't it hard when we see our flaws and spiritual weaknesses reflected in our children? Teaching and training our children properly is an awesome task. May we realise just how important it is that we set the proper example and teach them, even through our mistakes and flaws. Isaac had not even seen his father's identical sin, but the character flaw was still there. There is more to living our Christian life that just us, we must consider how our walk with the Lord affects our children.

[Watchman]

Monday June 26, 2005

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
(John 16:12-33)
The Holy Spirit would begin to teach and guide them "into all truth." Back in 14:17 and 15:26 He is called the "Spirit of truth." One of the greatest threats to the soon to form Churches (and today, for that matter) would be the false prophets. (2Tim. 3:1-8; 2Pet. 2: 1-3; 2John 9,10)
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, as stated earlier "shall not speak of Himself" (16:13), but will take His place in the Triune chain of command. He will reveal the will of God to us and Jesus again notes that the Holy Ghost will "glorify Me." We need to remember that the focus of this dispensation of grace is to glorify the Son and His work of salvation. Dr. J. Vernon McGee said: "I listened to a man on a radio program saying, 'We are having a Holy Ghost revival; the Holy Ghost is working; the Holy Ghost is doing this and that.' The minute he said all those things, I knew the Holy Ghost was not working. Why? Because the Lord Jesus made it very clear that the Holy Ghost will not speak of Himself. Then how can you tell when the Holy Spirit is working? He will glorify Christ. My friend, when in a meeting or Bible study you suddenly get a glimpse of the Lord Jesus and He becomes wonderful, very real and meaningful to you, that is the working of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, 'He will glorify Me'." (McGee, vol 4. P.474)
Let's summarize the work of the Holy Spirit in today's world.
First, He indwells the believers, living in their hearts. He will never leave us as He is our "earnest" and "seal" (Eph. 1:13,14). Now, since He has taken up permanent residence in us, He will be in the world as the One who is withholding (restraining) the power of Satan at bay until the saints are raptured to Heaven (2Thes. 2:6-8).
Secondly, He reproves the world (John 16:8-11)
Third, He is the great Teacher of the saints. The very Word of God would be completed by the work of the Holy Ghost (2Peter 1:21). As the Author, He is our great Teacher, Encourager as He will help us pray, interceding for us (Romans 8:26,27). Our whole life as a Christian is under His direction as He leads us and provides gifts for each believer (Romans 12:4-8; 1Cor. 12: 1-11).
Now the Lord Jesus reminds them of His soon departure, but His speech is still confusing unto the disciples. They question His words of going away and coming again. So the Master explains that His departure will bring them sorrow, much like a woman travails in childbirth. It is not a happy time. But when the child is delivered, the pain is replaced by joy! When Jesus returns their sorrow will be replaced with a joy that would last the rest of their lives. Take the example of Peter, who, when he heard the cock crow, wept bitterly. Yet when Jesus rose from the grave, He especially went to see Peter. Jesus then forgave him and encouraged Peter to preach and "feed His lambs." Then Peter had a joy that no one could take away. Look at the words of the new Peter: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." (1Peter 1:7,8)
Now Jesus reminds them in 16:23,24 that they will soon be able to take their petitions directly to God the Father. This is a new thing as during the Old Testament dispensation, the people were required to bring their offerings unto the priest to make intercession for them, but know the saints of God have the privilege to come directly to God. Hebrews 4:14: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
16:26,26 reveals that after His soon return, the need for speaking in mysterious proverbs will be no more. In that day, He will be able to speak "plainly." Now He again speaks of the love shared between He and the Father for those "sheep" followed by the most clear statement and His future in 16:28. The disciples respond that they finally got it, yet Jesus
questions their limited knowledge. He proclaims that soon they all will be scattered, yet He will not be alone, that is until the time will come when He will cry out: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mt. 27:46) He concludes with a great statement in 16:33. He has shared this dark coming hour with them now that they might understand it clearly after His soon day of resurrection. In that day they will have "peace". Yet at the same time they will have "tribulation" because they are still living in this old sinful world, but Jesus encourages them to "be of good cheer" or, as we would say, "cheer up."
"I have overcome the world." Whatever will soon be causing the Lord Jesus excruciating pain in the garden it is definitely not a question of whether He will be able to endure the cross. He already fully knows the outcome; it was never in doubt!

[C4K]

Bethel – the House of God

“...Surely, the Lord is in the place and I knew it not ... this is none other than the house of God ... and he called the name of the place Bethel.” - Genesis 28v15

Jacob has shown nothing but a weak, flawed, deceitful, selfish nature up until this point in his life and His mother has been aiding and abetting him in his selfish actions. As he tricked Esau out of his birthright, with his mother's help he trick Isaac into blessing him with Esau's blessing. There is no excuse for this kind of action.

At Rebekah's suggestion Jacob left to give Esau a chance to cool off. While he slept one night God appeared to Him in a vision, promising him that he would inherit the blessing given to Abraham and then Isaac. Jacob appears to wake out of his spiritual blindness. “Surely, God is here and I didn't know it! This is the house of God!” Next he named the place Beth-el, the House of God.”

The problem is that even though now Jacob has a perception of God he still does not trust him completely, Later he lays out some conditions before the Lord will be his God. “If God will be with me, if He will keep me, if He will give me food to eat and clothes to put on, if He will let me return in peace – then He will be my God.”

Jacob still doesn't get it. While all this is a part of his spiritual growth and development it still shows a tremendous lack of faith. He was basing his relationship on God on what God did.

This might be expected of a young Christian today. Our trials come to teach us to wait on God. What is unfortunate is when those of us who have lived in Bethel for many years STILL must see God work before we trust Him. Jesus told Thomas that those who could believe without seeing were more blessed than those who had to see in order to believe.

Lord, remind us today that as your children we live in Bethel. May our faith be based on more than sight.

[Watchman]

Wednesday June 28, 2005

Chapter 17
17: 1-26 The Lord's Prayer
Before they enter the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus offers a prayer of intercession for His disciples. As our High Priest, He intercedes on our behalf before the Father's throne today. This prayer is not to be confused with the model prayer of Jesus found in Mt. 6:9-15 and Luke 11:1-4, or the prayer of Jesus in the garden described in Mt. 26: 39-44. Remember this prayer immediately follows 16:31-33 where the Master had just foretold of the scattering of the disciples at His arrest. Now He stops His journey to the Cross to allow them to listen as He intercedes on their behalf. The prayer can be divided into three parts: His prayer for Himself 1-5; His prayer for His disciples 6-19; and His prayer for the future believers 20-26.

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
(John 17:1-5)
His prayer for Himself
He begins this section with the simple name of "Father". It is interesting to hear the august public prayers that use great elegant word, yet Jesus simply says "Father." The model prayer leads us to "hallow" His name and to praise God for Who He is, but we can also enjoy the privilege to say "Abba, Father" (or "My Daddy" Romans 8:15.) Now we see the phrase "the hour is come" (compare notes John 12:23 and 13:1) The cross is only a few hours away. His first request is that the Father would "glorify thy Son." Dr. Ironside makes the following observation: "We have here the glory of our Lord presented in two very distinct ways - His essential glory and His acquired glory. When He says in the verse, 'Glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may also glorify Thee,' we have His acquired glory. In verse five He says, 'O Father, glorify Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.' He speaks here of His essential glory. He was one with the Father from all eternity. Yet in infinite grace He laid aside the outward signs of glory and came into this world and trod the path as a stranger and a pilgrim. Now He is going back whence He came, and all that has been hidden will be fully manifested, His essential glory as one with the Father." (Ironside, p.732)
Dr. Ironside goes on to say that the acquired glory in 17:1 speaks of the glory He received as He did the work as Savior of the world. Hebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." He goes on to distinguish these two glories in relation to the believer. We too will one day acquire glory (John 17:22; Hebrews 2:10), yet we will never attain to His essential glory. The Apostle Paul declared his acquired glory in Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (See also 2Cor. 11:30 - 12:9)
17:2-3 is a great proclamation of our eternal security in Christ; but first, let's deal with another issue - election. Some will look at this passage and declare that God is orchestrating men like puppets and therefore men are selected by God to be saved and to be lost. But the Bible clearly tells us that though God foreknows who will be saved, the decision is open to all people and it is by free-will that man makes the choice of salvation.
With that in mind, we see that all that come to God are given eternal life.
The key to eternal security is understanding who is involved in keeping the person saved. No one doubts the power of Christ as our High Priest to offer His precious blood to pay our sin debt. The choice is whether man is in charge of getting himself to heaven once he has been forgiven or if God not only saves us, but keeps us till we are taken to heaven. John 10:28 tells us that "they shall never perish." 1Peter 1:4 speaks of our inheritance in eternal terms ("incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you"). Then he states in verse 5: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

[C4K]

Thursday, 30th June, 2005

Am I in the place of God?

“...Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?” - Genesis 30v2

There can be no doubt that Jacob's words were not spoken in the best spirit here. He had confused things by marrying the sisters Leah and Rachel. God had given Leah sons, but the wife who Jacob really loved had none. Rachel came to Jacob complaining and in anger he responded the words recorded above.

It is unfortunate that he did not heed his own words. Jacob's words might well be translated, “Can I act as if I am God?” There will be times when he will do just that, trying to do God's work for Him.

Sadly enough, at times we all do the same thing Jacob did. We may reflect on the past and say and think that things would have done better if we had done so and so. We may look at our present and think how things could be better “if.” We may contemplate the future and think that our plan is surely the best plan. In each of these situations, in a sense at least, we are putting ourselves in the place of God. God knows what is best for us, He is sovereign, He is love itself, and He loves us. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts because His ways and His thoughts are far above our ways and our thoughts.

When we say, “Can I act like God?” may our hearts and minds reflect that truth. In every situation may we let God be God and may we follow His perfect plan.

[Watchman]

Well, when she did finally have a child, she had a good one-one of my favorite personalities in the Old Testament. Joseph was a man of faith and integrity.
No, I cannot be like God, but God help me (and us all) to reflect His Son Jesus to the world.
Thanks Roger.

[Watchman]

Friday July 1, 2005

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
(John 17:6-19)
The second part of His prayer deals with His intercession for His disciples (17: 6-19). He establishes their position in Christ, then He prays for them as their great High Priest. It is interesting to note that if you could lose your salvation, then Peter and the rest of these followers would soon be lost when they fled the garden at Jesus' arrest. But Jesus speaks of them in 17:6 as ones who were saved ("kept", "known", "received", "believed"). Jesus has already spoken of their denial in 16:32, yet He still speaks of them as being His own. It is based upon their adoption into God's family, not their works. 17:8 shows us the basis which Jesus speaks of their position in Him:
1. The disciples were given God's Word;
2. They received God’s Word into their hearts;
3. They accepted Jesus' testimony of being the Christ, sent from God. Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
With that said, there are several other truths found in these verses. Dr. Ironside sees the phrase, "I have manifested thy name unto the men" as a change from the Old Testament period when Israel looked at Abraham as their "father." Now Jesus has revealed God, the Father unto them. (pg 743) Remember what Philip said in 14:8 "Lord, show us the Father." Soon they would grasp this new concept. Next we see in 17:9 that as Jesus prays, He makes a distinction between the "world" and His own. This becomes a hard verse to explain for those who believe that everyone will wind up in Heaven. Jesus died for all the world, and His offer is open to "whosoever will" yet He recognizes that not all will accept His gift of eternal life. Notice that 17:10 reveals the Lord is "glorified" by those who accept His plan of salvation. As we give testimony to His great love and we live as though we believe it, we are giving glory to God! To worship Him means more than singing a song or listening to a message; we honor Him as we walk as a child of the King!
Also in 17:12 He again claims to be the party responsible for the safe keeping of the saints. Jesus goes on to say that "none" were lost on His watch. Why should we think that God the Holy Ghost will do any less, when He is spoken of as our "Seal" and our "Earnest"?
17:13-19 speaks of His mission for the disciples and later the Church. First, He looks at their relationship to the world as a whole. These believers are in the world, but not of the world. We are not to live in isolation, hiding away from the world. But we also need to realize that we are not of the world and shouldn't try to act like the world. Before salvation we were considered "aliens" of God, so now that we have Christ we are aliens of the world.
Ephesians 2:12: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Hebrews 11:13 calls us "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (See also 1Peter 2:11) The Lord Jesus only asks for believers to be protected from evil. 1Cor. 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye be able to bear it."
17:17 then gives us a foundation to stand upon - the truth of the Word of God. The thing that sets us apart from the world is our standing upon the truth of God's Word. If we don't have the Bible as a plumline, we have no salvation and no hope! The Word of God is the difference between the two houses of Matthew 7: 24-27. The one believes the Word is founded upon a rock, while those who reject the Bible build upon the sand. That's why Genesis 1-11 is so important because it is the foundation of the doctrines of the Bible.
How can we know God apart from His work as Creator? We don't fully understand sin until we look at Genesis 3 and see the perfect life in the garden of Eden before sin and then the consequences afterwards. We are first introduced to the promise of the coming Savior in Genesis 3:15. Please realize that a Bible teacher who doesn't accept the literal teaching of Genesis 1-11 (creation, the fall of man into sin, the flood, the dispersing of nations at Babel) is like the drowning man giving swimming lessons! He is trying to teach others, yet he is sinking under the waves. "Thy Word is truth" (17:17). Whenever scholars or scientists disagree with God's Word it will be just a matter of time till they are shown to be in error.
Because the Word of God is "Truth", we can be sanctified by it. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus when we get saved, but we also need to be sanctified "by the washing of the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26) To be sanctified is to be set apart for God, so when we follow the teachings of God's Word it sets us apart from the lifestyle of the World.
Then as we are set apart by God's truth, we are then sent out into the world (17:18) Here we have the first revealing of the great commission of Christ.

[C4K]

I am not worthy

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant...” - Genesis 32v10

Jacob continues to grow in his relationship with the Lord. He has not “arrived” yet, but is making great strides. Here Jacob has been told that Esau is looking for him and he knows the feelings that are there. He is afraid and begins all kinds of machinations to sort things out with Esau. Yet, in the midst of his schemings he stops and acknowledges some things to God.

“I am not worthy,” he says;
1) of the least of your mercies
2) of all the truth which thou hast shown to thy servant.

In spite of his problem Jacob knew some things that we miss sometimes. They is a movement in Christian circles that that says we can demand anything we want from God and that He is bound to give it to us. Whether we go that far or not we can often think about how “bad” we have it and that God should do better for us.

The truth is that God owes us nothing. Because of our sin we were the enemies of God before salvation. Yet, God showed His love for us through the fact that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. We are not even worthy of salvation, yet God in His mercy provides it for us. It is only of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning! Great is His faithfulness! We are not worthy to receive the great truths of His Word, yet He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

We have so much to be thankful for simply in the mercy He shows and the truth He provides. That is why God can tell us in Philippians, “Be careful (full of cares) for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let you request be made known unto God.”

May we thank God today for His mercy and His truth, of which none of us are worthy!

[Watchman]

Tuesday July 5, 2005

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
(Joh 17:20-26)
We find the third section of the Lord's prayer in 17: 20-26. It looks beyond those disciples close beside the Savior and sees the future believers. Even though it has been 2,000 years since our Lord Jesus died on the cross, the promises of God's Word includes believers today! Within our inclusion into God's family, we see two things. First we see the unity of God's family. Jesus prayed three times that "they all may be one." This is explained later in the New Testament that all the saints of God will make up the body of Christ. The unity spoken of in 17: 21,22 is not an ecumenical, watered down version of Christianity that is based on man's popular opinions of that day. No, we need to be unified on the basis of God's Word. The Bible will divide truth from error and will also unify those who follow the truth. Many groups have joined together; yet to do so they have refrained from teaching some of the main doctrines of the Bible. That is why we should not get involved in city-wide crusades that have a mixture of Churches with varied beliefs. Now we might have some fellowship with others who claim to be saved, yet should we invite them to speak in our Church?
One day the saved will be unified together as the body of Christ. We will be one as He and the Father "are one."
Also in this third section we see the basis of our standing before God is that we have recognized that Jesus was the One sent from the Father, the Christ, the chosen One of God. Our salvation is based on our acceptance of the fact that Jesus is the Savior, Who died for our sins and rose again (Romans 10:9; 1Cor. 15:1-4) He ends His prayer with a reminder of His name and the sacrificial love for us that He shares with the Father (John 3:16).
What is it that He prays for us?

Preservation
"Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are."
(John 17:11)
Perhaps some of the confusion concerning eternal security has to do with the fact that we don't keep ourselves, but are kept by God.

Sanctification
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17)
Our sanctification will come, therefore, not through some special experience, but through God's word.

Unification
"That they may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you sent me."
(John 17:21)
Here He prays for true unity among His true disciples.

Glorification
"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with me where I am, that they may behold My glory which you have given Me; for you loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24)
We can be assured that the Father will grant these requests of His beloved Son.

[C4K]

Wednesday, 6th July, 2005

I have enough

“...Esau said 'I have enough' ... Jacob said, 'I have enough...'” Genesis 33v9,11

In this chapter we have a reunion of two long lost brothers after a 21 year separation. They had departed with less than brotherly love and Jacob was petrified to meet the brother he had wronged so horribly. All Jacob could see what retribution, which he knew he deserved.

How surprised Jacob must have been when his brother ran to him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.” Family introductions were made and a truly wonderful family reunion ensued.

Obviously, it was the work of God in these men's heart that made this all possible. Yet there is something else which is key here. How could all of the differences of the past be so easily forgotten? Both men speak three very rare words to each other. “I have enough” they both say while involved in something of a giving contest.

Why are these words so rare? They whole relationship with God and each other is based on the concept of contentment. I Hebrews lack of contentment is equated with idolatry. Discontentment always puts something else ahead of God. Contentment is able to say “I have enough” no matter what the situation. Discontentment never says, “I have enough.”

Their division was resolved when both men accepted that they had enough. May we strive to resolve our differences with the same spirit.

[Watchman]

Thursday July 7, 2005

Chapter 18

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
(John 18:1-11)
As Judas leads a group of men to betray the Master, we now see the true nature of Jesus' friend. Judas had seen all of the miracles; heard the words that had changed the lives of others, yet his heart was hardened as a stone. J.C. Ryle of England declared: "The same fire that melts wax will harden clay." (p.456) As we hear the Word of God, it will either melt our heart or it will hardened it as Pharaohs heart was cold before Moses. We need to pray that God will break up our "fallow ground."
18:4 also gives reference to His Deity as "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him." It was not a shock to Jesus as He saw Judas leading the mob to arrest Him. Jesus, as God, knew every step in His future, yet He still came to the garden and made a free-will choice to suffer for us. Then in 18:6 we see His Deity displayed in the power of His voice. Then He stated the phrase, "I am He" John makes record of the mob as they "went backward, and fell to the ground." It was the same voice that spoke in the beginning and the world was brought into existence. It was the same voice that had cleansed lepers, and caused the blind to see. It was the same voice that had cried "Lazarus, come forth." The amazing thing is that after this display of His power, the mob was still willing to do the religious leaders bidding. Realize that they had just seen two miracles. The first was the power of the words of Christ which literally had knocked them backwards to the ground. While Jesus is requesting the release of the disciples, Peter springs forth and smote the ear of a man named Malchus. John focuses upon Jesus rebuke to Peter, but, according to Luke's account, Jesus healed the ear of the injured man (Luke 22:51). Yet this crowd is unchanged in its attitude toward Jesus and bound Him and led Him away. Truly unsaved man is "dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1)
Finally, before we leave the scene of the arrest in the garden, we see the Deity of Christ in His willingness to take the cup of suffering. Dr. John R. Rice refers to the following poem. (p.348)

Death and the curse were in our cup, O Christ, 'twas full for thee!
But thou hast drained the last dark drop; 'Tis empty now for me:
That bitter cup - love drank it up;
Now blessing's draught for me!

Notice that this cup of suffering was from the Father, not a temptation from Satan. Isa. 53:10: "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him..."
2Cor. 5:21: "For He hath made Him sin to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

[C4K]

Friday, 8th July, 2005

God has been with me

“...I will make an altar unto God, who answered me in the say of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.” - Genesis 35v3

It appears that Jacob finally has thing sorted out properly. The focus of Genesis is about the switch to one of his sons. We are going to see that he is not yet perfect, but he does finally have some major things sorted out in his life.

After all of his trickery and deception Jacob returned to Bethel, the house of God. When he got there he did a few things that let us know where he stands.


He acknowledged that God was worthy of worship.
He acknowledged that God had answered his prayers.
He acknowledged that God had been with him.

He built an altar at Bethel as an act of worship to God. An altar always required a sacrifice and This was no different. Jacob had learned that there truly was One who was worthy of his worship.

He knew that God had answered him. There could be no questioning that he had what he had because God had heard his prayer and listened to him.

He knew that God had been with him. I think this became clear in his encounter with Esau. He knew what he deserved, but God intervened for him and was with him the whole time. Jacob's Bethel prayer had been this, “If God will be with me, if He will keep me, if He will give me food to eat and clothes to put on, if He will let me return in peace – then He will be my God.” In Jacob's mind God had kept His end of the bargain. Now, to Jacob's credit, he kept his end of the bargain.

While we should never put ourselves in the position of bargaining with God, we should have a heart which acknowledges when God is working in our lives. Jacob's view is finally God focused.

May we today acknowledge that God is truly worthy of our worship, that He has answered our prayers, and that He has always been with us.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 12th July, 2005

And the Lord was with Joseph

“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar bought him ... and the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man...” - Genesis 39v1-2

In the midst of all of the sin and depravity in these chapters we are returned to the life of Joseph. The last record of him was being sold to a bunch of slave traders as they passed by. In the minds of his brothers, as they went on in their own wicked ways Joseph was surely off the scene. Joseph was rejected and alone, sold as a slave in a foreign land.

Yet, we read some amazing words here - “The Lord was with Joseph!” This looks like a great oxymoron. Bought as a slave, but the Lord was with Him? How could this possibly be true?

The great truth is that God has purposes for us that we don't always understand. James makes it clear that we are to count it all joy when we fall into trials. As Joseph looked around he must have wondered what was going to happen to him. How could this be a good situation? Circumstances indicated that he was all alone, a slave in a foreign land. Humanly speaking he was all of this, but he had a greater Presence that he could have hoped for - the Lord was with Him!

When Jesus was born one of the titles given to Him was Emmanuel, God with us. When he left the earth He said, “Lo, I am with you always...” When we are going through struggles let us remember the wonderful truth that God is with us. In our prosperous times may we be reminded that God is with us. May our attitude bypass circumstances and dwell on the wonderful truth that as Christians God is with us as we face another day!

[Watchman]

From prisoner to Prime Minister, what a story!
My apologies for missing my turn on Monday, I had worked Sunday night, into Monday morning. I cannot leave until relieved and, well, I was never relieved! When I finally did get off, I could do nothing but crash when I got home!
The Gospel according to John resumes Wednesday. It will be a rather difficult time for me, this 18th and 19th chapters of John; it speaks of the Lord's suffering and death. I have This Gospel on audio CD's, and I like to skip over the 18th and 19th chapters when it comes to these chapters. It is not that the "Old rugged cross" does NOT, "hold a wondrous attaction to me," but it is the fact that I deserve to suffer and die like He did, He did not. He took mine, and your place.
There is the saying, "Only Nixon could go to China." One could also say that only Joseph could go to Egypt, and only Jesus could go to the cross and pay our sin debt. Joseph suffered, but was elevated to a place to where he could save Israel. Jesus suffered, but is now elevated to a place where He can intercede for us as our Great High Priest. To Him be glory and honor!

[Watchman]

Wednesday July 13, 2005

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
(John 18:12-27)
The trials of Jesus and of Peter
Two trials are beginning to happen. Inside the palace of the high priest, the first questioning of Jesus occurs while outside the house Peter is being challenged by those in the crowd.
Annas, we are told, is the Father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Dr. Oliver B. Greene reminds us that the office of the high pries was a life-long position (See Ex. 29; 40:15; Num. 35:25) He goes on to say that "But in the days just preceding our Lord's ministry the high priest was elected sometimes for a year, sometimes for a longer period. At the time of his allotted term he was removed from office and another priest was elected. Lightfoot tells us that the second temple stood only four hundred twenty years, and during that time there were 300 different high priests." (Greene, p.217) Luke 3:2, which occurs at the beginning of Jesus' ministry speaks of "Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests" and after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, Acts 4:6 lists Annas being the high priest, while all of the kin-folk being involved in the process. These religious leaders thought it was all right make changes in the Old Testament law (many volumes were written explaining all their additions and interpretations), yet they wanted to hold others to their interpretation of the law.
Today we have judges who are supposed to make decisions based upon our constitution, yet many are making their own laws based upon their own social agendas. Pray that America will be able to get godly leaders who will be able to nominate judges who will abide by and protect the constitution as they have sworn to follow.
The mockery of a midnight trial was completely unlawful for the Sanhedrin, but that didn't stop them as the writer John reminds us that Caiaphas had already given the command to condemn Jesus to death (see John 11:49-53). Furthermore, no man could be condemned to death unless there be two witnesses that agreed in their testimony. John's gospel will not focus on Jesus trial, only recording the opening questioning of the Savior. The other gospels record the only question the Master is willing to answer, "Art Thou the Christ?"
John's gospel gives us more insight into Peter's struggle. We are told that "another disciple" (probably John) also followed Jesus to the palace and "went in with Jesus into the palace." (18:15) Peter was not willing to go inside and be identified with Jesus so once mighty Peter is hiding outside the door. When the other disciple (John) came to encourage Peter to come inside, it was the young girl who kept the door who questioned Peter. Not a Roman soldier, but a young girl it was who causes Peter to deny the Lord. Peter then turns back to the open courtyard outside and mingles with the crowd around a fire. He wanted to be close to Jesus, yet he chose to mingle with the world.
Soon Peter would deny the Lord again and again, until he heard the cock crow and realized that even in the darkest hour, Jesus knew exactly what would happen! In a few short hours mighty Peter had fallen. Jesus had warned Peter of Satan's attack, yet Peter had neglected to pray in the garden, now he had denied and deserted his Lord! But before we get too upset at Peter, remember the words of 1Cor. 10:12: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Let us also remember 1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and His word is not in us."
This dark night for Peter would be the beginning of his greatest days yet!. In the same way, God can take our defeat and turn it to victory when we are willing to repent and trust God to help us and empower us.

[C4K]

Thursday, 14th July, 2005

Running Shoes

“...he ...fled, and got him out” - Genesis 39v12

There is a children's song that says “When sin comes knocking at your door ... put on your running shoes.” Surely Joseph is our best example of fulfilling that axiom.

Mrs Potiphar still persisted in pursuing Joseph. Day after day she enticed him. Finally, a day came when there was no one else in the house. She must have though, “now is my chance.” As Joseph passed by she grabbed him by his cloak and drew him to herself - “Lie with me” she calls.

Now, what would the average man do in a situation like that? But we are not dealing with an average man. The Bible says that Joseph's response was simple and swift. He twisted out of his cloak, ran, and got out of the house.

Although there is not of theological depth there when it comes to sin we don't need much theological depth. Joseph did not debate the rights and wrongs, the implications of offending Mrs Potiphar, or anything else. He simply got out of the situation as fast as he could. He “put on his running shoes.”

What is our normal response to temptation? Is it a few moments of indecision? Is it a lingering, longing look considering what we might have? It doesn't have to be sex. It can be any situation where temptation to sin comes. May we have the kind of character that Joseph. The allure of sin is there, don’t even think, just run!!

[Watchman]

Friday July 15, 2005

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
(John 18:28-40)
Jesus before Pilate
Now we find that the scene has changed as it is now early morning as they bring Jesus to Pilate's judgement hall. John's gospel doesn't mention Jesus' declaration of being the Son of God. Nor does it mention the beating of Jesus at Caiaphas' home. But only John will give more details about the encounter of Jesus and Pilate. The Jews enter not into the hall of a gentile as it would soon be the Passover and they did not want to be defiled before the Passover (see the discussion about the time of the Passover on the noes on John 13:1).
Pilate, the Roman governor for the region containing Jerusalem, comes out to meet with the Jewish leaders outside the judgement hall. Here he hears that the penalty of death is requested, yet the crime for which so severe a charge is not given. John reminds us that the Jews are fulfilling the prophecy of how Jesus said He would die. Even more amazing is that it will fulfill Psalms 22:1, 6-8, 13-18) which describes the Roman crucifixion before it was invented! It even speaks of the words which will be spoken by those mocking Him.
Now the governor comes inside to speak to Jesus. Notice the question of Pilate (Art thou the king of the Jews?") is different than the charge of "blasphemy" by the Jewish leaders. Notice that the Lord Jesus does not answer Pilate's question yet, but He questions its sincerity. Jesus question could be stated as "Are you asking this question because of a sincere desire to know the truth, or is it simply a rumor that has come to you and you want to trace it down?" (Ironside, p.809)
Pilate brings the discussion back to determining Jesus' "crime". He know asks, "What hast thou done?" Jesus though, steers the conversation back to the original question of His kingdom. In doing so, Jesus infers that He is a king, though he has no desire to lead a rebellion against Rome. It is a spiritual kingdom, not of this world. Then Pilate clarifies this statement by asking again "Art thou a king then?" to which the Lord affirms "Thou sayest that I am a king." But this second question of Jesus being king is different than the first. The first asked if Jesus was king of the Jews, to which presently Jesus was not. The Jews had rejected Him and declared that He had a devil. And Jesus had not come the first time to be King, but to fulfil Isa. 53 as the suffering servant. So now Pilate asks "Art thou a king then?" Jesus can now respond that He is a King. Jesus goes on to say that it has been the plan of God that He should be "born" and "bear witness unto the truth." This is too much for middle-of-the-road Pilate and he responds "What is truth?" Notice that as Pilate asks this question he immediately leaves not waiting for a response. Little did Pilate realize that he has stated one of the greatest questions of all time. The fact that this conversation concludes at this point infers that Pilate was not sincere in knowing truth. No one who has ever been sincere before God has been turned away. He was so close to salvation, standing before the Savior, yet he is blind.
Pilate, during this time he was dealing with Jesus, asks another question that is not mentioned in John. Matthew 27:22 quotes him as asking: "What shall I do then with Jesus Who is called Christ?" Every individual must ask and answer that question to themselves. How each person answers that has eternal implications.
This was probably Pilate's first personal encounter with Jesus, though he assuredly had heard testimony from soldiers (the Centurion Mt. 8:5-13; officers john 7:32-46) as well as reports of the great miracles. He had dismissed the accusations of the Jews (Luke 23:2) and had gotten down to the heart of the matter. Bu as Pilate returns outside to the waiting mob, he declares unto the Jews, "I find in him no fault at all." Jesus was not guilty, but not released. Now we begin to see the vacillating character of the governor. It was clear to Pilate that Jesus was not a political threat to Rome. Whether or not the governor comprehended Jesus kingdom could be debated, but it's interesting to contrast his personal statements with his official declarations. Later Pilate will strongly insist on identifying Jesus as the king of the Jews, yet the governor never understood his need for a Savior! Pilate seemed to understand that Jesus was a king, but he wasn't willing to submit. Oliver B. Greene comments on Pilate: "He examined Jesus as a king, he sentenced Him as a king, and he crucified Him as a king." (p. 243-244)
Now Pilate begins to focus upon ways to release Jesus, yet keep political favor with the people. He first appeals to a custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover feast. He sets Jesus against Barabbas, "a notable prisoner." (Mt. 27:16) one who had led a rebellion and "who had committed murder in the insurrection." (Mk. 15:7). John tells us he was also a "robber" (18:40). But the mob, led by the chief priests, cried for the release of Barabbas.

[C4K]

Monday, 18th July, 2005

Trusting God from the prison to the palace

“And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” – Genesis 41v51-52

Joseph is a perfect example of trusting God no matter what his circumstances. Some people forget all about God when their times are tough. Others forget him when things are going well because they feel like they don’t need Him. Joseph had gone from favoured son, to slave, to prisoner, to prime minister and his faith in the Lord never wavered.

He gives the best evidence of that when he named his sons. It can be argued that Joseph was now the second most powerful man on earth. Nothing got by him. It appears that even Pharaoh took a back seat in the day to day administration of the kingdom. Too many men in this situation would have begun to “think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. Yet Joseph shows our relationship to God in the naming of his sons. His firstborn he named Manasseh, meaning, “making forget.” His reason was that God had delivered him from his mistreatment and captivity so he could forget about his past. His second son was named Ephraim. This names means “fruitful” for Joseph knew that all he had gained was from the Lord.

What a wonderful example for us. Living like a prisoner today? Trust God. Living like a prince today? Don’t forget about God. May we always maintain a “God focus” in our lives.

[Watchman]

Thursday July 21, 2005

Chapter 19

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
(John 19:1-16)
Pilate stands before Christ
Now Pilate tries a second trick to appease the crowd. He orders Jesus to be scourged. Remember, the governor had just declared Jesus to be innocent! Surely the scourging at the hands of Roman soldiers would satisfy the mob. But it was foretold by Jesus back when they began their journey to Jerusalem (Mt. 20:18,19).
Scourging was a terrible torture as they tied a person down, then beat him with a whip tipped with sharp objects (metal, glass, etc.). The whip was brought over the same area time and time again ripping the flesh. This also was predicted years before in Psa. 129:3: "The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows."
A crown of thorns was placed upon His head causing swelling and excruciating pain. Then the soldiers placed on His bloody back a purple robe.
They mocked Him and beat Him.
As Pilate brought Him forth to the crowd, the governor again states his verdict: "I find no fault in Him." Pilate wants to bring attention to how Jesus had suffered. He cries out "Behold, the man!" But the crowd, led by the chief priests, cries "Crucify Him, crucify Him." Pilate is now ready to deliver Jesus over to the Jews as he states Jesus' innocence for the third time. But as Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, Pilate became "more" fearful. (Mt. 27:19)
He examines Jesus again, but the question isn't of kingdoms or rebellions, but "Whence art thou?" To this Jesus question Jesus is silent. As Jesus stands before Pilate, He is fulfilling the picture of the lamb led to the slaughter, as He speaks no word in His own defense. This silence seems to irritate Pilate as he tries to rebuke our Lord Jesus. He speaks of his power to crucify or release Jesus, yet the Lord responds that Pilate would have "no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above." Then Jesus adds, "therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." Notice who is now on trial! It is Jesus as Judge stating that Pilate was an accomplice to the crime of the Jewish leaders, and that he therefore, would then have a lesser penalty than they. (Here's another text, 19:11, showing that there will be degrees of punishment. Se also Mt. 23:14; Mk. 12:40; Jas. 3;1; Rev. 20:12-15)
After hearing this, Pilate is more determined than ever to release Jesus, but his political future is at stake. The Jews hit a nerve when they reply: "If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar." Pilate must make a choice. (Compare Pilate to many a modern politician - he in one sense knows that Jesus is not worthy of death, and maybe he perceives that there is something to the words and miracles of Jesus, yet he follows the will of the mob and goes against everything he knows to be true.) Will Pilate stand for what is right, or will he succumb to the pressure? Realize that by his appointment as governor Pilate enjoyed all the pleasures the world could offer. He only stayed in Jerusalem occasionally as he spent most of his time on the seacoast in Caesarea. Would it be Christ or Caesar? Dr. Rice identifies the "pavement" in 19:13 as the fortress of Antonia. "It has the ruts made by chariot wheel; the stones are scored by horses that pulled the chariots; and it seems to be one of the few authentic remnants of the Old Jerusalem of Christ's time." (Rice, p. 353, 367) After one more futile attempt when Pilate presents Jesus unto the Jews, "Behold, your King!, he delivers Jesus to be crucified.
Ryle: The suffering of "the Just for the unjust (1Peter 3:18)
"To suffer for those whom we love, and who in some sense worthy of our affections, is suffering that we can understand. To submit to ill-treatment quietly, when we have no power to resist, is submission that is both graceful and wise. But to suffer voluntarily, when we have the power to prevent it, and to suffer for a world of unbelieving and ungodly sinners, unasked and unthanked - this is a line of conduct which passes man's understanding. He was led away captive, and dragged before the high priest's bar, not because He could not help Himself, but because He had set His whole heart on saving sinners - by bearing their sins, by being treated as a sinner, and by being punished in their stead. (Ryle, p. 475-6)

[C4K]

Friday, 22nd July, 2005

Holy Ground

“…draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet., for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” – Genesis 3v5

As Moses tended sheep he saw an unusual sight. He noticed a bush that was burning, but not being consumed by the fire. Of course that attracted his attention and he drew near to see what was happening. He heard God’s voice, and replied “Here I am.”

God’s next words remind of a vital aspect of His nature. “Put off your shoes, for you are on holy ground.” The presence of God is a holy place. The ground was so holy that Moses could not defile it by even entering with his shoes on. Holiness is not a matter to be trifled with.

Sadly, true holiness is seemingly a forgotten concept. As Christians we live our lives constantly in His holy presence. Yet too often we ignore the fact that we live in the presence of our holy God. Our actions more often resemble the vile world than our holy God.

Remember today that we are living our lives before a God of absolute holiness. May our lives, are actions, our dress, our attitudes, and our speech reflect His holiness.

We are indeed on holy ground. Let us live accordingly.

[C4K]

The people bowed down and worshipped

“And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.” – Exodus 4v31

Moses and family travelled back to Egypt along with Aaron. The first thing they did was to go to the Israelites. Aaron spoke the words and God to the people letting them know that they had come back to deliver them from the Egyptians.

The Bible says next that they believed, bowed their heads, and worshipped God. They remembered their cries to God back in chapter two and knew that God had heard and answered their prayers. They did the right thing my immediately giving God the worship He was due.

It is easy enough to cry out to God when things are tough or when we are in affliction. Sometimes we do no do near as well when God responds, almost acting like that is just what He is supposed to do. These folks were still slaves; they had not seen any indication of their coming freedom other than the signs that they had seen.

Even more trustworthy than those signs is the written word of God. God has promised that He will be with us, meet our needs, and carry us through our afflictions. Is He not worthy of us believing, bowing down our heads, and worshipping Him? And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

[C4K]

Who is the Lord?

“And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” – Exodus 5v2

Moses and Aaron were admitted into Pharaoh’s court. There request to let the people of Israel go was pretty simple, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?

What else would we really expect from Pharaoh? He had plenty of gods in his kingdom. People worshipped frogs, cats, the Nile, and any number of things. The god above all gods in Egypt was considered to be Pharaoh himself, so why would he consider listening to this God of the Hebrews? He would soon find out just who Yahweh was.

What happens, however, when God’s people act like Pharaoh? We might think, “I would never say what Pharaoh said. That was awful!” However, there are times when we may very well act like Pharaoh while not saying those same words. We read our Bibles, do our devotions, and listen to preaching or teaching. The Holy Spirit deals with our heart, and yet we walk away and choose to ignore His leadership. In essence we are saying the same thing that Pharaoh did – “Who is God that I should obey Him?” God says to walk by faith, nit by sight, yet we too often are guided by what we see. God tells us not to be full of cares, yet we choose to worry. God says to keep our hearts, yet we devour the filth of the world.

Who are the gods that we obey instead of the LORD? The god of convenience and expediency? The god of the flesh? The god of self? May we live our lives so that we never reflect Pharaoh’s attitude. May we recognise Who the Lord is and obey Him. – Exodus 5v2

Moses and Aaron were admitted into Pharaoh’s court. There request to let the people of Israel go was pretty simple, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?

What else would we really expect from Pharaoh? He had plenty of gods in his kingdom. People worshipped frogs, cats, the Nile, and any number of things. The god above all gods in Egypt was considered to be Pharaoh himself, so why would he consider listening to this God of the Hebrews? He would soon find out just who Yahweh was.

What happens, however, when God’s people act like Pharaoh? We might think, “I would never say what Pharaoh said. That was awful!” However, there are times when we may very well act like Pharaoh while not saying those same words. We read our Bibles, do our devotions, and listen to preaching or teaching. The Holy Spirit deals with our heart, and yet we walk away and choose to ignore His leadership. In essence we are saying the same thing that Pharaoh did – “Who is God that I should obey Him?” God says to walk by faith, nit by sight, yet we too often are guided by what we see. God tells us not to be full of cares, yet we choose to worry. God says to keep our hearts, yet we devour the filth of the world.

Who are the gods that we obey instead of the LORD? The god of convenience and expediency? The god of the flesh? The god of self? May we live our lives so that we never reflect Pharaoh’s attitude. May we recognise Who the Lord is and obey Him.

[C4K]

Now you will see

“Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” – Exodus 6v1

The ever-present problem of walking by sight instead of by faith is not a new one. Men have always found it much easier to look at the seen instead of the unseen instead of looking at the unseen. Obviously it is much easier to look at what you can see than what you can’t see.

Moses had two chooses as to what he could look at. He could look at God’s promises (the unseen) or he could look at the seen (Israel’s affliction). It was hard to miss Israel’s affliction. Things went from bad to worse. After Moses and Aaron’s demand to let the people go Pharaoh increased the workload by removing the required straw from their brick making and did not reduce the quota of bricks. Of course they could not keep up and were punished. The Hebrews chose to blame Moses and Aaron for their problems.

When Moses took the matter back to God he blamed God for sending the evil. “What are you doing such evil God? Why did you send me here?” We can find ourselves in the same dilemma at times. We can look at our efforts to serve God and wonder why God is doing the things He is doing, because we tend to look at only what we can see.

God had an answer though – “Now you will see what I will do.” God knew exactly when to work, something Moses and us do not always see. God always has a purpose in what He does. We may not see it until we get to heaven, but one day it will be all clear, one day we will see what God is doing. May we have the faith Jesus talked to Peter about that does not require seeing to believe.

[C4K]

Friday, 29th July, 2005

I am the LORD

“And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:” – Exodus 6v2
When Moses came to god perplexed about his situation and the increased burden on his people God began his words to Moses with a simple statement. This reminder, standing alone, should be enough to make us forget about our own perception of a situation. In His words to Moses God repeats these words several time. They are simple in their profundity.

“I am the Lord”

These words ought to be in some mega-sized font and in flashing lights. If we would ever grasp the impact of these words we could never doubt Him again. Our personal views would fall aside and we could learn to rest only in Him. These words are packed with meaning. In them are these thoughts – “I am the eternal, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent One. Nothing escapes My view for I AM. No matter where you are or what you are experiencing, one thing has not changed – I AM.”

How sad that we so easily forget that. No matter what comes across our path today we can be assured that one thing has not changed. God still is the great I AM. May we grasp just a glimmer of that amazing truth – we serve the great I AM and therefore we never need fear or doubt.

Whenever doubts or fears come our way let us remember God’s words to Moses.

“I am the Lord!”

[C4K]

I have raised you up

“And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth”. - Exodus 9v16

Surely by the time of the sixth or seventh plague Pharaoh knew that something was going wrong. He was powerless against Moses and his God, the same God of whom he had said, “Who is this Yahweh that I should obey Him?” His economy was in ruins. Moses seemed to be able to call down plagues and stop them at a whim, and all this while he, the “Great Pharaoh” was supposed to be the greatest god of all.

In today’s selection Moses spells it out clearly for Pharaoh. God told Pharaoh, through Moses, that He had raised Pharaoh up as leader of Egypt to do two things. 1) To show the power of Yahweh, and 2) to have His name declared throughout all the earth.

Pharaoh had just been told that he was no more than a puppet is God’s hands and that God would use him to do His own will! What a bow to Pharaoh’s pride.

God does indeed raise up powers to work out His divine purpose. Daniel tells us the “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” Paul write in Romans that the powers that be are ordained of God. We may not always understand all that is going on, but we can be assured that God is always in control, even when governments do and allow terrible things. They are there for an ultimate purpose, that God might show His power and have His name proclaimed!

[C4K]

Tuesday, 2nd August, 2005

When I see the blood

“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” - Exodus 12v13

Pharaoh still would not be broken. His economy was wrecked, all crops and livestock were destroyed, and the god Ra had been humiliated by the plague of darkness. Still, due to a combination of hardening his own heart and God hardening his heart he would not yield. There was one plague left which would cause him to relent.
When God came to Moses and Aaron this last time he gave very clear instructions. Even those in the camp of Israel had to act this time to be spared God’s wrath. The first-born son of every family was about to die. The only way to escape God’s wrath was to sacrifice a perfect lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts. Only those homes where the blood was spread would be spared God’s judgement. The faith of Israel had to be proven by an act of faith, a simple application of the blood.

What a blessing to know that when God’s final day of wrath comes we also have escape. In our case however all of the work is done. God Himself provided and Lamb and provided for His blood to be spilt for our sins. The blood can cover us simply by accepting God’s wonderful gift. Praise God that when His day of judgement comes He will see the blood of Christ covering my sins and will pass over me!

[C4K]

Wednesday, 3rd August, 2005

Because of what God has done for me

“And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.” - Exodus 13v8 13:8

As God delivered the people from Egypt He gave them specific instructions to commemorate the event. The annual Passover was to be observed forever by the people of Israel. God even told the people why they were to do this. In generations to come people would say, “Why do we do these things?” The answer was, “Because of what the Lord did for us when He delivered us from Egypt.”

We would do well to commemorate what God did for us as well. At salvation, God delivered us from the captivity of sin. What are we doing to commemorate that? Are there things in our lives that cause others to ask the question, “Why do you do that?” This is what Peter was talking about in 1Peter 3v15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” As we sanctify the Lord in our hearts we set up a memorial to show what He has done. When the question is asked we should be able to answer, “I do the things I do because of what the Lord did for me when I came forth from the captivity of sin.”

The Passover observance was clear for all to see. Our testimony and commemoration of our deliverance should be just as obvious and should entice people to say, “Why do you do these things?” May we always be able to give the answer to that question!

[C4K]

Thursday, 4th August, 2005

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” - Exodus 14v13-14

Finally, Israel was on their way! Joyously they marched out of Egypt. Conservatively, there were two million people walking out of captivity. From all appearances the victory was surely won!

All went well for a few days until they found themselves camped on the Red Sea. Most scholars tell us that they were camped with mountains on either side. Things were going fine. Israel was free.

However, back in Egypt Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he sent out 600,000 choice charioteers to bring the people back. When the people saw the approaching army they were in despair. They had the Red Sea before them and the most powerful army in the world behind them. The situation surely seemed hopeless, so, they did what they would do best, they complained to Moses.

Moses was unwavering – “Don’t be afraid. Stand still and watch God work. He will fight your battle for you and you will have nothing to complain about.

God doesn’t change. Many times in our lives we find ourselves trapped between the Red Seas and Pharaoh’s armies of our own lives. We must not lose confidence that God will work. When we cannot fight the battle, He will. When we don’t know where to go or what to do next He will lead us. What joy to know that we too are able to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!”.

[C4K]

Friday, 5th August, 2005

Bread from heaven

“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” – Exodus 16v4

I never cease to be amazed at God’s grace and mercy. After only a month of travel the food supply began to run low. One might think that the people would trust God to meet their needs. One might expect them to simply ask the Lord to meet their needs. However, the people did what they did best, the complained about their condition. Their moaning is almost beyond belief. “Oh that we were still slaves in Egypt. It would have been better to die there than to be killed by God here.” These were the same people who had begged God for deliverance, who now were whinging because He did it!

Yet, once again, God shows His mercy and supplies bread from heaven for them. This is a marvellous picture of God’s mercy and grace. These folks deserved nothing from God. They were due His wrath. Gives them what they don’t deserve, their manna, and does not give them what they do deserve, His punishment.

Why does God do this? Verse twelve has the answer – so that they might know that He is the Lord their God. Over and over God shows this and over and over the people forget. It is sad that we can by just like those people. God shows us His mercy and grace and the next time trouble comes we start complaining. Contentment with what God gives us must come first. Just like Israel, we base our view of Him on Him doing things our way, not His way.

Praise Him for His mercy and grace to such undeserving people.

[C4K]

Monday, 8th August, 2005

Aaron and Hur

“So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” - Exodus 17v10-12

Israel was about to learn that their journey through the wilderness was not only going to have times of huger and thirst, but there were battles to be fought as well.

The first battles was to be against the Amalekites, descendants of Esau, at Rephidim Moses set Joshua out as the military commander and then he went up on the hill to intercede with God for the nation. Moses lifted up his arm in prayer with the rod of God in his hands. As the battle wore on Moses, Aaron, and Hur noticed the success of the troops in battle depended on whether Moses had his hands raised or not. When Moses got tired and his arms drooped the Amalekites were winning. When he had his hands raised Israel was winning. Moses could not keep his arms raised all day.

Aaron and Hur noticed this and acted. First they found a stone for Moses to sit on to allow him to alleviate some of the weariness. Then Moses and Aaron sat down next to Moses, one on his right and one on His left. Every time Moses allowed his arms to drop Aaron and Hur would hold up his arms for him. As a result Moses arms were held steady all day and the battle was won!

Spiritual warfare was never intended to be fought alone. Only Moses could hold up His arms before God in this case. Aaron and Hur could not actually take the rod and hold it up for Moses. There was something they could do however. They could assist Moses and uplift his arms for him when he grew weary.

Do you know a Moses today who is weary in a spiritual battle? He or she may be worn out and their arms may be getting heavy. You may not be able to fight their battle for them, but you can uplift them in prayer. May we dedicate ourselves today to be like Aaron and Hur for those like Moses, who grow weary in their battles.

[C4K]

Tuesday, 9th August, 2005

My banner of victory!

“And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:” – Exodus 17v15

One notable feature after a great victory in a war, or even in sports, is that waving of national or team banners. Think of the great VE or VJ parades or the last Super Bowl or World Cup match that you saw. One very noticeable features of Gaelic sports is county flags and banners. Flags and anything that resembles the county colours wave like crazy at the sporting events. After a victorious match those standards swamp the pitch. The waving of the banners inspires a sense of pride and county identity.

After God gave the victory over the Amalekites Moses built an altar to the Lord and called the altar “YHWH-Nissi.” The translation of this name is “The LORD is My Banner.” Moses wanted the people to understand that God had given them their victory and that He was the standard they were to follow. Victory banners have always been a part of celebrations. Moses instead wanted to focus to be on the Lord and not on their nation.

When we consider our lives today we must consider what kind of victory stirs up a celebratory spirit within us. Patriots are always stirred when they see their national standard being waved. After 9/11 a Hollywood actor proudly stated that Old Glory was still waving. All over the world television cameras showed the flag in scene after scene dealing with the tragedy. A flag was raised on the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Sports fans love it when their team wins. People wear their team colours and even paint their bodies in those colours. Team supporters are called “fans,” short for fanatics.

How often do we get fanatic about our Lord? I am not suggesting body paint and a wild, uncontrolled fanaticism, but do we ever get excited about our victory in Christ? The LORD is our banner of victory. May we wave His banner high in our daily lives.

YHWH-Nissi! The Lord is indeed my banner!

[C4K]

Wednesday, 10th August, 2005

And the Lord came down

“And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.”
- Exodus 19v20

These are absolutely astounding words. “The Lord came down.” In Isaiah 57 we read that God is the “High and Lofty One, Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy.” The Lord Who “came down” is One Who is so holy that He cannot tolerate sin. He is the One whose ways are not our ways and whose thoughts are not our thoughts. Who ways are high above our ways and whose thoughts are far above our thoughts. He is the One who created us as perfect and the One against Whom we rebel every time we sin.

God had told Moses to prepare the people for this event. Moses had told them to cleanse themselves and he has sanctified them. The stage was set for a climactic event. God said that He would come to Sinai. The day came when God came down to meet Moses. We note that the Lord did not come all the way down, but He stopped and called Moses to come to Him, and Moses did so.

What a wonderful picture of how God works, even today. The perfect holy God in the Person on His Son Jesus Christ came to earth to dwell amongst men. He called out for men to come to Him. To meet with God all one has to do is accept His invitation and come to Him.

Praise God that He took the first step to come to man. We could never be worthy to take the step up to Him. He indeed could not go to the high and lofty place. I am grateful that He took the step to allow me to come to Him.

[C4K]

Thursday, 11th August, 2005

The Ten Commandments

In Exodus chapter 20 we find what are commonly called the Ten Commandments or the Decalogue. Here God lays the basis for the detailed law which is to follow. In these commandments God tells His people some basic rules for dealing with Him, His Sabbath, family, and other people. There is much worthy of note in them. The holiness of God, the importance of worshipping only Him, the Sabbath as a reminder of His creation, and proper dealings with other people are all covered in these few statements.

Some people view God’s commandments as a basis for living, and in a sense they are that. However, the main purpose for giving the law, beginning with the Ten Commandments, is to teach us that no man can keep all the law. Even keeping the Ten Commandments completely is impossible, especially with Jesus’ new application of the Law. Having a lustful thought makes one an adulterer. Hating your brother makes one a murderer. No one can make it though life without violating one aspect of the law and to violate one aspect of it is to break all of it.

Why then would God give the Law? The New Testament tells us why. Without it we would not know what sin was. Without it we would never be aware of our need of a Saviour. Without it we may think that we can be good enough to earn our way to heaven. God gives us the Law as our schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ. Only Christ is perfect. No one can hope to keep God’s law, so Christ came to die for us and fulfil the Law for us. Only He could do so.

Praise God for His Law, for only it can point out to us our need of a Saviour.

[C4K]

Friday, 12th August, 2005

[b]Ye shall be holy men[b]

“And ye shall be holy men unto me:” - Exodus 22v31

As God began to spell out certain requirements for the people He specified that one of the key requirements for them is that they be “holy men.” Holiness is a main attribute of God and He requires it for His people.

Holiness involves separation. The Hebrew word is the main OT word, Qadesh, and it has the idea of separation, like a knife cutting something apart. From day one God has required that His people be separate from the world.

Even today God expects His people to be holy. “Be ye holy for I am holy, saith the Lord.” When we were born again we were declared holy by the blood of Christ. Yet today we are to be striving to live that holy life.

How are we doing today? Are we living as holy men and women unto Him?