Out With The Old

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah43:18NIV

Putting the past behind us is easier said than done. We have a tendency to beat ourselves up over some of the daft things we did during the past year and so we become our own worst enemy. I have found that our true friends have already excused and forgiven us, but in the meantime we sulk in our own self pity. Do you recognise this characteristic? I think we all share it to some degree.

I like the thought that God is already doing a new thing in our lives. That’s a good reason to let go of the past. When God is at work on our behalf, He doesn’t do anything in half measures. He is complete, and thorough. I fully know and understand that we can’t always forget, but we don’t have to rake it up and sift through the rubble, do we? Being a God of Love, He will replace all the negative things in our heart with good, positive improvements.

You have heard the old phrase, “Let go and let God”, well here it is, all clean, shiney and sparkling for the new year. Why not take God at His Word, accept and apply this promise, and I include myself in this resolution too. Paul says it in Romans in a slightly different way. All those difficulties and hard times of the past year(s) will work together to complete His purpose and plan for your life (and mine too). You see, that is a promise for the faithful believers, and that’s us. Let’s go into 2019 with these verses in our hearts and minds!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans8:28NIV

Christmas

What is Christmas to you? Does it have the deeper meaning that goes beyond the white fur lined red suit worn by a cheery, red faced,white bearded portly man? I hope so. This post was started on Christmas day, and already I have seen Christmas in action.

While out at the local cemetery to think and reflect, I couldn’t help but notice the number of people coming out of cars into the cold foggy morning air to do the same. It’s a time to look back on our loved ones who are not here now to enjoy this happy time. For some, this is a very sad time, and a ‘Happy Christmas’ is nowhere to be heard. But among the still grieving, there were the children running around in the happy spirit of the day, grasping one of their gifts that appeared under the tree earlier this morning. Children have a very simple view of Christmas, and at times I envy them.

As I drove home, there was the well dressed teenager, very carefully carrying a few gifts in his arms, looking worried that he might drop one. Let me speculate. He was too young to be married, and too old to be the simple child we spoke about earlier. My thinking is that he was on his way to the love of his young life, bearing presents that he hopes she will like. To top his appearance off (literally) he was sporting a white fur trimmed red hat with a white bauble on top. He didn’t care who saw him, because his mind (and possibly heart) was already taken elsewhere with thoughts of love. A carer was making her way from a house where she would have tended to the needs of someone who would not get through the day without her. There was a group of working men in and around a big hole in the ground, I suspect trying to fix a problem which affected the community. And then small groups of families walking to meet, greet, and give gifts to their own, perhaps to enjoy Christmas dinner.

A happy tradition carried on in my daughters, is the Christmas family dinner where mums, dads, children, grandparents and friends are all invited to sit round the big table to enjoy the food lovingly prepared for this particular occasion. When the normal seating is all used, out come the stools and the odd chairs, so that everyone is included and welcome. This doesn’t happen at any other time of year, so everybody joins in the fun, wearing those funny hats from the Christmas cracker and telling the jokes printed on the slip of paper for your enjoyment. If you are fortunate, you might even get a little plastic toy or puzzle to show around.

Eventually, there comes the time to push back from the table having eaten more than you should have, and after loosening your now too tight belt a few notches for comfort, the clearing up begins. The presents stacked under the tree and wrapped so carefully, are ripped open to reveal the needed, wanted, and funny gifts we love. There is coloured wrapping paper strewn everywhere that also needs to be gathered up by the host and/or hostess. After weeks of preparation and planning this lovely slap up meal, it is over so quickly for another year. Chances are we'll do it all again, because it brings us closer together!

It’s a good idea to use the ‘why’ question often asked by young children who want to understand something. They keep on asking ‘why’ until they are satisfied, and only then do they stop asking. Why the gifts? Why sing those same Carols every year? Why the decorated tree? Why the celebration? Why santa, and where does he fit in? Why was all this started in the first place? Asking the searching ‘why’ questions always brings you back to the baby Jesus born into the poverty of an occupied land. To many, His chances of survival would seem slim, but survive He did, and more than that! This helpless baby born to poor parents would grow up into a miracle working, death defying, life changing Saviour. In the space of some 33 years this Jesus would do no wrong, but ironically be murdered in cold blood for His selfless, pure life. But the story doesn’t end there. The God-man defeated death, rose from the grave, and only after being seen by multitudes of people, went back to God His Father where He is now interceding on our behalf. This life is well documented in the Gospels and secular writings so there is no doubt in the sure foundation of our salvation.

Let’s live as though every day is Christmas Day!

But You'll Love It

I have a friend who seems to have many irons in many fires, and never stops for a rest. In some ways I envy his energy and enthusiasm, but not totally. When a few of our friends get together, he will always have something or some place we should visit or attend. It can be anything from a conference to a light business affair, and everything in between. Hardly a time goes by without him bringing up his thoughts of what he ’knows’ we would all like.

In most instances, everyone declines gently, but sometimes we have to be more emphatic and say, NO! This is always followed up with a repeat invitation as though no one had heard the first time. These things are not everybody’s cup of tea, but then he brings out the big guns, and with some excitement in his voice will raise his voice and say, “But You’ll Love It!”

I was thinking about this in respect of the Christmas celebrations and holidays we all ‘enjoy’. Or do we? The big assumption is that we will love it, in the same way that others enjoy the time which surrounds the Christmas season. But we don’t, do we? Not everyone looks forward to Christmas. Because of the generally expected hype, some will join in as much as they can, but their whole heart isn’t in it. So why doesn’t everyone love Christmas?

Think about the recently bereaved and the empty chair. The wayward child who doesn’t want to be home for Christmas because they are hurting too. The young couple who recently lost their hope for a baby, through no fault of their own. The destitute and homeless. The wife, whose husband just walked out on her and their children. The unhappy list could go on.

Please don’t miss the message when someone talks about a Christmas activity, and seeing the silent response, they say, “But You’ll Love It”. Be sensitive. Be a friend, and try to understand the heart behind the reluctant smile. Chances are they would love to be able to love this time of year as much as you, but they may not be ready. Not yet. Maybe sometime soon, but then again, maybe never in this life.

The Day After

Right now,almost everyone is rushing about in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush, trying to make sure they get the right gift for those special people in their lives. We do push out the boat, and sometimes pay the price of not being able to enjoy Christmas as much as you once did when you were younger and had no responsibilities. How times change.

By the time Christmas day dawns (and even before that!) you are truly frazzled in the preparation for the family bursting through your door, and that much anticipated big Christmas dinner around a full table. Who can blame the ones who come bearing gifts, but they are not the ones who have been preparing right up to the last minute to get all the gifts, as well as the big turkey, or salmon, or vegetarian dinner with all the trimmings.

By Boxing Day, the hostess and host get a chance to relax a little, kick back, have the house to themselves, and eat the leftovers from a plate on their knee in the living room watching the TV movie they missed. Oh the joy. There are so many left overs of starters, main courses, and desserts, they will last for the coming days in the run up to New Year. Oh no, that’s when it all starts again for some others in the family to return the favour, this time with the traditional steak pie (or vegetarian) dinner. I suggest the time to really relax is around the end of the first week of the new year and a subscription to Weight Watchers!

As believers, we are blessed above others because we do not lose sight of the reason for the season, and for us whether it’s the baby Jesus in the manger, the Saviour on the cross, or the resurrected King, these can always be in our heart and mind. After all, the God-Man is now at the right hand of His Father praying and interceding for us in all our days. After all, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews13:8NIV

In Situ

She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’(which means ‘God with us’). Matthew1:21-23NIV

Many sermons and talks are contained within these short verses, but I will only mention one. Well, actually two, because they are inseparable.

We must never forget that the whole purpose of the Christmas story is to show that Jesus saves us from our sins. That is an amazing claim and if we stopped there, it would be enough to satisfy the needy sinner. That’s you and me! Jesus came, and took on the form of a helpless, vulnerable baby, all to take us out of our state of sin if we let Him. Sadly, not everyone takes up the offer, but why? Maybe part of the reason is that the first Christmas happened so very long ago, and what relevance does it have to us now?

I love the positive theme of the next verse. Yes, the virgin did conceive and bear a son named Jesus, but it didn’t stop there. Jesus was known by another name, ‘Immanuel’ which simply means ‘God with us’. He is right beside us. Not distant. Not unapproachable. Not only with the church leaders, but WITH US! God WITH us. We must let that sink in. God made it personal to all people of all nations and all generations, and all we have to do is take Him up on His offer. Our God becomes ‘in situ’ and what could be better?

No longer can we hide behind the manger scene some 2,000+ years ago, because Jesus is also Immanuel. He is right here with us in our tough times, our bad decisions, our wrong choices. Jesus stays with us at all times, and all we have to do is recognise that He cares enough for us, choose Him, and as His follower He will stay there. Now, I ask again. Why do so many not accept the offer of a personal God who is with us day in, and day out, every day of the year?

Perhaps we are so advanced that we don’t need a God? Perhaps we have been convinced by the TV and Film industry that there is no God, and we have swallowed that lie hook, line and sinker? We are shaking our fist at God, and where do you think that will lead? Jesus, God with us, offers eternal life in heaven, but sadly some will still choose a lost eternity because they know better. Do they? Do they really?? What do you think???  

Giving

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts20:35NIV

What a difference a few years makes. It doesn’t seem so long ago that I was the one waiting for the gifts under the tree at Christmas. I can almost taste the excitement it was so palpable. The early morning start, even though I wasn’t a morning person, the festive music playing which was the signal that Christmas Day had started, and Santa had been.

There always were gifts, so I guess I must have been good. Never a disappointment, and I thought things could never get better. Ever! When you are in Primary School your world revolves around getting presents, and comparing them to the ones your friends got. No one was ever unhappy with theirs because, somehow, this magical Santa knew what you needed, and what you wanted. The best part was that he knew the difference!

I can clearly remember my mum and dad, just sitting and watching the excitement. Getting very little, but soaking in the joy of their family as they ripped their way through the wrapping paper. When I was blessed to be a dad myself, I found some of that inner joy while looking on, but I also had my own presents too.

Then, the day of the biggest and best surprise arrived. I had turned into my parents and all I wanted to see was the joy of my now grown children, and grandchildren as they tore off the Christmas wrapping paper to reveal the Christmas surprises. Just as it was with me, they were never bad so they got a year’s worth of goodness in gift form.

Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it should come as no surprise to finally realise, and accept that it really is more blessed to give than to receive. Getting a special gift from that special person is good, but it is supremely better to be the giver of that special gift! Unfortunately, to get to this place, you have to grow up. Happy Christmas everyone!!

Pride, Prejudice, and Independence

It won’t make any sense to the younger readers, but as you get older you might encounter the problem of role reversal with your family. God has been good to me, and blessed me with a family who would do anything for me. This is ok as long as it isn’t necessary to ask, but… BIG BUT, the time comes when you have to give in to your prideful independence, and the prejudice of the only person who can and should do things, is me!!

In a few weeks I will be going into hospital for a significant knee operation to remove one implant, and replace it with another fuller and better one. The result is a while to recover, the physiotherapy, and all the while trying to keep house. Having lost my wee wife some years ago, I miss her and that everything would have been done and covered properly. My pride gets in the way. My two lovely daughters are straight from their mum as far as being Godly, and a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen and home. But ask them to step in and help me? That is a step to far, isn’t it??

There has come a time when events overtake you, and such is the case now, but without a hesitation, they have stood in the gap for me when it was needed, and I didn’t have to ask. Take note, all you lonely dads with daughters, you don’t have to tell then when you need help. They are way ahead of you there, and have already figured it out. You see each side doesn’t want to step in and take away a level of independence, until it is absolutely necessary.

So, my failings are out in the open. My pride, prejudice and independence have taken a much needed knock, but for the best. I have always loved my girls, but I have a new respect and appreciation for them both. They truly are a Godsend, and I don’t use that term lightly. I wasn’t happy with God when He decided that heaven needed the presence of my wife, and although there can never be a substitute, in His infinite wisdom, He gave me two mini-mums who are heaven’s treasures to me. A simple thank you is not enough.

N.B.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm51:17NIV

Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. Psalm69:20NLT

These verses show a stark contrast to the happiness of the Christmas Season. The story of the baby Jesus coming as Immanuel is a tonic to dwell on, and it is important, especially as believers, that we do. However, is everyone happy at this time of year?

Make a mental note. Very many people, and some you know, will hide their broken heart behind a smile, and all I am suggesting is that we recognise that struggle, and be that one who ‘would turn and comfort’. Isn’t it good to know that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart?

It has been brought to my notice very forcefully more recently, that humanly speaking some of my friends struggle especially at this time of year, and there are many valid reasons. It makes it worse because their broken heart is polar opposite to the Christmas theme of joy and happiness, but because of that same atmosphere of laughter and fun, it makes it more difficult to express their sadness. The result is that they withdraw (behind their smile).

So, I urge you to be that desperately needed one who takes note and comes alongside to put your arm around a shoulder and say that you care. You care enough to notice, and care enough to pray to a God who came to earth to become the God-Man who understands our weaknesses, flaws and broken hearts. Have a Happier Christmas my friends!

Clurch?

definition: A Church stresses the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, personal conversion experiences, Scripture as the sole basis for faith, and active evangelism.

definition: A social club may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation, or activity.

I found myself asking this question recently. What is the real difference between a well run club, and an evangelical church? In a sense there is little difference. Each have a group of people who are interested in being together, united in a common subject or belief. Members, for the most part, will get along nicely with each other and will even meet up outwith the confines of the weekly gathering.

But note the BIG difference that the church has, and no other club can have and that’s the importance of preaching, teaching, telling the way of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Some clubs are indeed good organisations, eg slimming clubs, keep fit clubs, camera clubs, lunch clubs, drama clubs, book clubs, and even glee clubs. However there is no way that a club will try to become a church. It wouldn’t fit or work, and clubs know this, because they’re savvy.

Why then, should a church want to become, or act like a club? I know some of the arguments for being inclusive in the community, and that we (the church) must try to be more relevant to get interest aroused, and increase attendance. Yes, numbers. I suppose that’s what it is mostly about. Which begs the question: What do you think is the church’s purpose? It’s a very good question, and one that brings different answers. The following verses are true at a personal, as well as a corporate church level.

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; it is thrown out. Luke14:34,35NIV

Immanuel

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew1:23NLT

It’s not Christmas yet, but December has started and already the festive jumpers are out, trees are up, shops are busy taking our money to the tune of “Jingle Bells”, and the kids are getting excited. The advertising and marketing people are in full swing making jingles to sing, and ‘meaningful advertisements’ to watch. In case you didn’t get the message, TV is filled with afternoon Christmas movies to tug at your heartstrings, and make some of us reach for the tissues.

You can’t fault the children. After all, Christmas has been neatly wrapped up in all the feel good trappings, including the cute and cuddly garden centre santa. I wonder how many know the full story of the baby Jesus coming to earth to save us from the very things we now celebrate. Well meaning mums and dads find themselves in serious debt as they try to stay ahead of the next ‘must have’ toys, games, clothes, perfumes, gadgets, and the list goes on. How can the average parent keep up with the demands of the marketing gurus?

Keep in mind the many children and adults who can’t have, and don’t want, elaborate and expensive gifts under the tree, wrapped in foil and tied in a bow. That is the last thing on their minds. Food, warm clothing, physical safety, and a real comfy bed are uppermost in their minds, probably along with the weight of the loss of a dear family member.

The Christian is in a privileged position because they know the real reason for the season, and it’s not ‘things’ but a person in the form of a helpless baby. That tiny boy grew up to be vilified, abused, wrongly accused, and eventually crucified as an innocent 33 year old. But, we praise God that it didn’t end there because he rose from the tomb, ascended into heaven, and is now with His Father God. The best part to all Christians is that Jesus is now here with us in the form of His Holy Spirit. IMMANUEL GOD WITH US.

While you are enjoying the gifts, food, family, tree and tinsel, remember the reason for the season is God with us, IMMANUEL! It is worth noting that the name was given before Jesus was even born. God’s plan of salvation was already in place. Thank you Lord.

Frontage

When checking out a property to buy, you can’t always depend on the frontage. The house can look good, and actually be good on the outside but it’s only when you put the key in the lock, open the door, and look inside that you get the full picture. The homeowners that I know, all make sure the garden is neat, grass trimmed, flower beds weeded regularly, and window frames painted etc.. The reason is simple. It sends the message that the interior will be as well cared for as the exterior, and that is normally true.

There are certain times of the year when we like to make sure everybody sees a good exterior, and that is as true for us, as for any property. Christmas is one of those times. While the world’s picture of ‘sweetness and light’ conveyed through our TV and other media is nice, it is not the full picture either. To get that, you must have a key to the front door and be inside to have a look around.

In the darker corners you will find a mixture of tears, regrets, grief, sorrows, sadness, and a fear of letting anyone else into your secret life. As long as you can keep eyes looking at the outside smile, you can hide behind the real you. And anyway, who apart from direct family, really knows, notices or cares? This is the time when our greatest comfort comes from the knowledge that God, the only one who really matters, sees the heart and knows the real you. The truth is, that’s more important than all the others who look from a safe distance, don’t get to the front door, or ask for a key. Isn’t it a comfort to know not only that God has a key, but also has free access to the hidden secrets of your heart?

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1Samuel17:7NIV

Doomsday

The problems of climate change, its causes and effects as understood by scientists has been accepted by the majority of citizens across the world, with the exception of a few very vocal and politically prominent dissenters. If we do nothing, and go on living and behaving as we have been these recent decades, the outlook is dire. It’s dire for the planet we live on, and the populations both rich and poor who inhabit it. Some have called it the ‘Doomsday Scenario’.

There are groups of campaigners and scientists leading the charge against fossil fuels, plastics, greenhouse gasses, air and sea pollution, melting icecaps, CO2 emissions, etc etc.. These are not cranks, but good people who want to do something to halt or reverse the current trends which take us down the slippery slope to doomsday. The people at the vanguard of these groups of campaigners are passionate about their cause, and rightly so.

I will be having knee surgery soon. Imagine my horror when I am wheeled into the theatre, ready for the anaesthesia when I recognise the man holding the scalpel as my friend the supermarket customer services manager. Don’t worry about this David, I am passionate about surgery and have read up on the intricacies of this operation, so you are safe and in good hands. Google is an amazing source of information he assures me before I drop off to sleep. Would I be happy? You bet your life I’m not happy. He is a really nice guy, but he is not qualified or trained for medical surgery. His training is in customer satisfaction.

The point is this. There are many well qualified scientists leading the fight against climate change. If anyone wants to trust them and follow, that’s great, but please don’t lead anyone to believe your passion makes you qualified to speak with authority on any subject other than the area of expertise you hold that certificate or qualification you studied hard for. Otherwise you dilute the significance and importance of your real area of knowledge and wisdom. Instead of shouting from the touchline, or behaving like a armchair critic, please stick to your own subject. In the case of Paul’s advice to Timothy, if you are a minister of the Gospel, then ‘Preach the Word...with careful instruction’. That’s your strength, no other! Each to their own!

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2Timothy4:2NIV

The Pendulum

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James1:5-8NIV

A double-minded person is unreliable, unhelpful, or as James puts it, ‘unstable’. Jesus’ half brother links that unstable mind to doubt, and warns that they should not expect God to work on their behalf. It would be a sad curse indeed if we could not expect to receive anything from the Lord because we doubted that He was capable of help.

In the same way, a pendulum will swing from one side to the other, never finding the truth in the middle, or rest long enough to sense or feel it. When the pendulum in my living room clock stops swinging, the clock stops too and becomes useless. Who needs a clock that doesn’t tell the time?

I am old enough to remember society having a set of moral and ethical values which were considered as ‘normal’. It wasn’t that we walked around with a set of rules in our pockets, we seemed to be wise enough to know right from wrong. Fast forward a short two generations, and that pendulum has swung to the other extreme. We are double-minded and unstable, but the leadership of our western civilised nations don’t, or can’t, see it. Surely we have been here before though?

It has been said, correctly I think, that “the one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history”. Cast your mind back to your high school history lessons and ask yourself what came just before the fall of every great nation, country, or civilisation? In every case, the moral compass of the people collapsed into a level of evil and debased living which was not accepted or practiced previously. The pendulum had indeed swung, and the populations in general had become double-minded and unstable.

I hope, trust, and pray that the pendulum of our nation’s sinful practices has reached its extreme, and will soon start the return swing back towards the God fearing country we once knew. As christians we know that God hates double minded people, but loves it when we follow His law. Lord, help us to be single minded with our focus on You.

I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. Psalms119:113NIV

Heavy Hearted?

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Proverbs14:13NLT

How do you conceal your heavy heart? Solomon suggests that laughter can do it. Others hide their heaviness in different ways, eg immerse yourself in family, study, sport, hobby, and the list could go on. In other words, we hide from the pain of our heavy heart and don’t face up to it. But why would we want to do that?

Before we jump to any conclusions, there will always be good reasons for hiding away from the source of the heaviness. The only reason you might not agree or see it, is because you haven’t had to face that particular heartache. I would also suggest that the root of the heaviness may not be a ‘thing’, but a person. It’s true that the one most likely to hurt, is the one that’s closest. Relationships from friendships to spouse testify to that truth.

Once we recognise the source of our emotional distress, for that is what it is, what then? What do we do? If I use my head, the answer is clear. Face the situation or person directly and have the difficult conversation to try to clear the air. Even then the end result might not be good. But then, if we approach this kind of issue from our heart, that hurts too, after all it is called heartache for good reason. The heart does not want that risky confrontation because you may be the catalyst or instrument to make things worse instead of better. Whatever we decide to do, we can’t win, so it remains a heartache, and we continue to be heavy hearted because the needed source of change can’t see it, or is not interested, because they don’t see the distress they are responsible for. In fact, sometimes their ‘answer’ will be uttered or voiced before the question is asked, or aired.

To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. Proverbs18:13NIV

Stone or Flesh?

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel36:26NIV

“Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it”. Then what? Allow me the liberty of taking my dad’s words and changing them a little to say, “Be careful what you pray for, you might just get it”. Our prayers can be shallow, and all about us, our needs, and wants. Much of the time we pray, and we know fine well it won’t be answered so we start to let doubt creep in.

It is out of our hands and control when we pray for the friend who has cancer. We kind of believe it, or more likely we hope for an answer that agrees with ours. The disease has to go. It must be healed or God isn’t listening to our petition prayed in tears. It’s out of our control and we don’t like that. But what about those prayers for our own spiritual well-being? Those prayers for an extra portion of kindness, patience,love, peace, joy that we need so much. An answer to those would mean a change in our own life. Are we ready for that?

I am on very close terms with a friend of many years who has been a Christian for as long as I can remember. He lost his wife to cancer at a relatively young age, and he changed. His heart became like stone. Lifeless and without feeling. You see he was angry with God, because He didn’t answer his many prayers through tears. Slowly, all too slowly, he started to recognise what was happening. His once soft heart had turned to stone, almost at the instant that God let him down (or so he thought). One day there was a turning point, because he prayed the prayer in this verse. He didn’t like carrying this heavy, stone heart around, so he simply prayed that it be replaced by a heart of flesh. Almost as fast as the words of the prayer had ended, he felt different. The stone was rolled away, and he felt lighter. The joy of his salvation had returned and that was the price. That’s the best way he could describe it.

So, be careful what you pray for. You may just be surprised by the answer.

Plexit

In the UK we have been suffering through two years of Brexit, and the arguments why we should stay or leave the EU, depending on which side of the debate fence you sit on. Whichever way you look at it, at least we are talking about it ad nauseum (literally!).

At the same time, there is another referendum which is more serious, but few talk about it. Let me introduce you to Plexit, the vote we all have but few cast, on what we do to prepare for the sure and certain event called ‘Planet Exit’. I suggest that we don’t have to give it much thought, because we have been convinced that everybody goes to heaven anyway. We will make a few exceptions for some murderers and peopophiles, but other than a few exceptions heaven is a cert! Really?

If you think we are here on this earth as a result of chance, an accident of nature, or a mutation of evolution, then you should have no worry about leaving this earth, because it then stands to reason that there can be no heaven or hell. But most people agree that there is a God, whether they go to church or not. In the same manner, they have convinced themselves that this loving God would never send any of His creation to hell. Ergo, it’s heaven!! How convenient.

On the other side of the debate are the Christians who believe by faith in a glorious heaven, and know it in their heart.They are also very aware of the real existence of the devil and his hell. The Bible talks a great deal about both heaven and hell and leaves the decision to us. This is a choice we make in the here and now. We can’t change our mind when we get to the wrong place in eternity. What are we doing to prepare, because the Bible is clear?

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2Corinthians6:2NKJV

Decisions

We make dozens of decisions every day. Some are important, and some are not. Some are known to others, and some are not. Some may be costly, and some are not. Good decisions which affect others will make you look good to your friends. Bad decisions make you look bad in the eyes of just about everybody. Of all these decisions, which will be remembered clearly by everyone? It isn’t fair, but the good decisions are easily forgotten, but the bad decisions are remembered for ever, or so it seems.

There is another problem with decisions. I think we will all agree that we make good and bad ones on a regular basis, but hopefully there will be a balance and not all one sided. However, you will probably know some folks who consistently make good decisions. They are in the minority, but are looked up to because that’s what makes for integrity. However, on the other hand, we all will know those ones who mostly seem to be making bad decisions, but even more importantly there are those who will suffer directly because of these decisions.

One swallow might not make a summer, but a wrong decision can have a serious and lasting impact on those on the receiving end. In a few weeks, I will be having knee surgery, and I hope the surgeon has a day of good decisions. Just one bad decision in an operating theatre can hold the outcome of life in the balance. But then we do trust the professionals, right? Surgeons, doctors, lawyers, professors get there by making good decisions and maintaining their integrity.

What about us? You and me? Have we made bad decisions? Absolutely we have, and some we would not want to be reminded of because they shame us. In among the many bad ones, there could be one that sticks, and the devil reminds us of it now and again, to keep us away from God. We are too bad. We don’t come up to the grade for a Holy God, and you are right if it was all up to what we did and didn’t do. Thanks to Jesus, our salvation is not earned by default, but it’s the free gift of Grace from a forgiving Saviour. The next time the devil reminds you of your past bad decisions, remind him of God’s grace. He has no answer to that because God is not only forgiving, but patient and His desire is for all to see heaven. There is a catch, because we have to accept the gift because it’s not forced on us. That’s all. It’s down to us to accept or reject! Our choice.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Peter3:9NIV

Remain

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John15:5,6

The word ‘if’ is very small, but has an enormous meaning. The dictionary defines ‘if’ as: on condition, provided, providing, presuming, supposing, and you can replace the word ‘if’ with any of these and keep the meaning and context the same. The verses are clear. We must stay close to Jesus in order to be able to bear fruit, or be productive. If we stray from Him, and these verses say that we can, we are in danger of hell fire. That is a loss of salvation, and I can see no other way to interpret or read these words of Jesus.

I don’t want to get into a theological argument, but instead want to emphasise the need for us as Christians to keep short accounts with our Saviour. Stay close. Be like Him. Remain in Him. To do otherwise opens us up to the dangers of a lost eternity, and let’s face it, none of us want that because we have the promise of heaven.

Jesus wasn’t talking to the unconvinced around Him, He was talking to those believers who were already committed to His ways, ie the disciples, and if they had to be counselled to remain in Him, then how much more we need to be careful how we treat our salvation. The prospect of heaven fills us with delight, but the very thought of hell is a serious matter. Jesus said it was serious, and I trust we don’t downplay the thought of hell as a bad joke or in a light and flippant manner.

Wasn't There

"As I was going up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there!
He wasn't there again today,
Oh how I wish he'd go away!"
By William Hughes Mearns (1875–1965)

You must have heard the nonsense poem made famous by Mearns. It makes us smile when we hear it, because we know it makes no sense and we don’t have to think too much about any deeper meaning. But, I ask you, is it really nonsense?

I think we can get so used to something, or someone, being there and yet one day we turn around and it or they are not there anymore. Next day, or next month, or even next year we look again and still nothing. Did we take that special memory for granted? Probably, but that might mean we didn’t do all we could to savour and keep the importance of that memory alive, which was a once treasured possession.

Instead of taking the line “Oh how I wish he’d go away” at face value, is it possible that the writer is haunted by their unexpected loss, and now needs some peace from the haunting memory and that’s what he wants to go away? I suggest what is true of people, can also be true about things. Or to be more accurate, things which are made up of people. A club, a community, and yes, possibly even a church! At one time not so long ago, it was there but when we turn around some time later we notice it isn’t there now. Or at least not in the way we remember it, and the thought of that memory haunts us.

As with people who have died, churches close and die too, in which case the poem might read:

As I was going up to prayer,
I saw a church that wasn't there!
It wasn't there again today,
Oh how I wish it’d go away!
(My apologies to Mearns!)

Alone? But When?

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis2:18NIV

I was wondering if God had a time scale in mind in this verse. If it is not good for ‘the man’ to be alone because he needs a helper, does the promise or need of that helper run out in his lifetime? This refers to life in general, but does it apply right up to death too? Does it equally apply to a bereaved widower? Or a man whose wife has left him alone? So many questions, and none of them insignificant in their own right.

There is a world wide move to show that woman (I use the word ‘woman’ deliberately, as opposed to ‘women’) is an equal entity to man, but this verse would clearly show this not to be true. I know some men who live on their own, and they obviously need and want the helper that God speaks of. Men may be stronger in the brawn department, but they do lack a lot in the softer, thoughtful, emotional side. God knew right from the start that the combination of a man and woman rightly defined by Him would be an unbeatable combination, and it surely is!

Is it wrong then to believe that a man left on his own, is incomplete? Without the other part which would make him whole? The woman who would be the heart to his head. The sensitive nature to his stubborn outlook? The understanding to his closed mind?

Take a look around your men friends who are living life on their own and ask yourself this. As a general rule, would they be happier and more complete, living as God declared in His Word? I am not saying that every single man should be on the lookout for a wife, but I am thinking from this verse, it would appear to be part of God’s master plan for a balanced life, society, and world, and so some or even many, could be missing out on one of God’s, and life’s, earliest and greatest pleasures and Blessings.

A final thought. If all that applies to men, would it not also apply equally to women? After all, God’s plan from the beginning is for pairs of men and women as a complete union?

Help?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2Cor1:3,4NIV

No one goes through this life without needing some help in the form of comfort, and let’s face it we can’t always depend on the ‘usual suspects’ to give that support. Sometimes it comes from the unlikely, or to be more accurate, the likely but from a different group or even good friends from another church.

Isn’t it good that the source of ALL comfort is God Himself, and although we may receive that Blessing from an unexpected or unlikely source, it originated directly from God.

I suppose my concern is this. If or when someone in any church fellowship is ill, or feeling overwhelmed and down, shouldn’t their church folks be the ones to step in first? I believe that our God is omniscient and when He sees one of His children in need, that comfort will be given when it is needed most, and by the best person or group. That may be from our own church, but on the other hand, it may not, and God will use the willing and available.

When you know your friend is absent from their place in church, are we first of all able, and secondly willing to step in to provide that Godly comfort? After all, God will supply that need one way or another. Another thought. What does it say about our own fellowship if we so often are not the ones stepping up to be either willing or able, because you will always hear our call? Lord, help me to be an extension of your comfort. After all…...

Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. Isaiah59:1NLT

Sheer Silence

...and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 1Kings19:12NRSV

Do you ever crave silence? Perhaps a silence where you can think straight, and avoid the daily distractions? We know the story where Elijah the strong and powerful prophet of God came up against an evil woman called Jezebel who promised to make his life a misery, to the point of death. The great Elijah ran scared for his life. We smile at this sometimes, but which of us has never run from a test or temptation instead of facing it down? So let’s not be too hasty in judgement.

God used the elements of nature to get his attention. An earthquake, but no success. A fire, and still Elijah wasn’t able to hear God. But when it was ‘sheer silence’, and there were no other distractions, Elijah heard the voice of God, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”. Elijah was faced with the same question by God in v9 and v13, almost as though it didn’t get through the first time, or it needed to be emphasised. God certainly wanted his attention, and only then Elijah got the message.

God doesn’t always get through to us in the big things either. The Crusades, or the Campaigns (Revivals to our American cousins), or the Gospel Music Concerts, all with their noisy Biblical content (all good of course!). However, many times God needs us to be quiet before Him, without the distractions that noise can bring. Very recently, a close friend suffered a particularly bad couple of days in his health, but in that time there wasn’t much conversation or prayer going on between him and God. He was too busy trying to find a way to feel better as each passing hour seemed more painful than the last. When the ‘noise’ of the pain reduced and eased, that was when God spoke. But not only that, it was when my friend was in a place to listen.

Where and when would be the best place and time for God to speak clearly to you, and more importantly, for you to be able to listen?

Small Talk

I wasn’t feeling too well at all, and I was worried that the pain in my abdomen could have been something serious, so I went to A&E, gave my details and waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually the nurse showed me into a cubicle and told me to wait for the doctor on duty, who would be with me shortly. In all this time the pain was getting more acute, and my mind was turning somersaults. I was even more convinced something serious was wrong, but at least I was in the right place for treatment. They might even admit me to an acute ward.

Sure enough, this nice young doctor breezed in, sat down, and looked at me but was silent for what felt like ages. He asked me what my hobbies were, and what kind of family I came from. Then he asked my favourite colour, and football team. All the while he was smiling a big broad, friendly smile. Right, he said let’s get down to it, and I thought my problem was in the caring hands of the right person. Did you see the TV last night? What about the game? Did you see the second goal? That should never have been allowed, but these referees don’t always see everything, do they? They can’t possibly have eyes in the back of their heads.

Now I was getting panic stricken and the pain was unbearable. Fearing the worst, I blurted out, but what about my pain doctor? Can you help me? The young doctor looked puzzled and answered slowly, so that I could get the full import of his words. I am not long out of medical school, and the most important thing they taught us was to make the patient feel at ease. Strike up a conversation. Find a common subject to discuss. Ask about their family. Do you not see? That’s what I have been doing. It is essential that we make the patient feel comfortable in our company, and be able to think they can trust us.

But, but, what about my stomach pain I asked in irritation? Oh, he said, you’ll have to come back another time because we haven’t really got to know each other well enough just yet. Maybe then, we will be at a point where you can feel easier with me, and I can feel able to help you. Goodbye, please make another appointment on the way out. NEXT! (Ok, it’s a story, but you get my drift!)

The point? Don’t we want the doctor to do his job? And the Lawyer? And the Policeman or Policewoman? Right to the Plumber and Electrician in your home to fix a problem. You don’t want the small, friendly chit chat when your sink is backed up. You don’t want the tradesman to come back another time when he gets to know us better, do we? Stupid question. Why then is it wrong for us to expect our Pastors and church leaders to get down to their calling and point out our Spiritual areas of weakness as soon as they can? It isn’t really necessary to get alongside us with long small talk when we grieve and mourn. Or when we are facing a lost eternity. Doctor, Lawyer, or Minister, especially Pastors, please focus on the job at hand, or to be more exact, your vocation and calling. We respect you for that alone.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew10:28NIV

Music

Music is a universal language, and a tool which needs no translation of words sometimes. “If music be the food of love, play on”, is the first line of the play “Twelfth Night”, by William Shakespeare, and he was a man who knew a bit about drama and the human need to be calm.

We have music all around us 24 hours a day, every day. It’s playing in the supermarkets, shopping malls, radio stations dedicated to various genre, clubs, elevators, and you can’t have missed the masses of people walking around with headphones or earbuds in place listening to their favourite singers and bands. These people, whatever their taste in music, and whether you like their taste or not, are good at expressing their thoughts and inner feelings through the medium of music. Yes, it is universal.

Churches make the most of the gifts of music too, and the singing voices of the congregation, lifting their hearts and voices in praise to the Creator is a good example. We know that He is the creator of all things, and that includes music. The uniting fellowship of singing together is special and unique to the family of God. It can lift your spirits, or move you to tears, and we have to thank our musicians for using their talents in this way to foster a spirit of worship.

Good musicians don’t just happen. They didn’t decide one day to pick up an instrument and hey presto, they turned out a melody. A player of any musical instrument will tell you it is hard work, especially at the beginning, because they have to keep at it. Our faith is a bit like that. We don’t reach the fullness of our faith quickly, and in fact we have to practice it daily. There may be times when we don’t feel that God is close, or that he is listening to our prayers, but we have the assurance that He is near, and He knows our frame that we are frail. Don’t give up or lose hope. God is faithful and He will never let us down. I like the way the Good News Bible translates 1 Thessalonians 1:3 when it says…..

For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm.

Needs or Wants?

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians4:19NLT

Like you, I have many things on my list of wants. Our culture is driven by the marketing industry who convince us that we can’t live at our best without their products. It can be anything from a sultry perfume to a high performance car, and everything in between. They throw the line and we bite, hook, line and sinker. We are a fickle people.

The best part is when they convince us that these are not luxuries, they are needs to keep pace with everyone around you who probably have these things already. There’s nothing worse they suggest than being left behind. There are so many Jones’s to keep up with, we can’t possibly catch up unless you start now, they say.

We only really know what we need when hit with some kind of serious problem. It could be a health issue, or a financial debt, or a wayward child, or the decision to ask a Nursing Home what they could do for an ailing parent. At the head of all, there is the death of a loved one. At any of these points we are able to tell the difference between the things we need, and the things we want. We can live without the luxuries and we don’t need a marketing guru to tell us otherwise.

The Bible is so true when it tells us clearly, so why is it the last place we look for help?

Caution

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews4:12NIV

When that word ‘Caution’ is posted on a sign, and placed at any location, we ignore it at peril of our lives. There is always good reason for the sign being there because danger is close by and we don’t want to become a statistic. Sadly, it can become like an attraction to the few who want to see and know what all the fuss is about, so they throw caution to the winds (literally) and barge in unprotected and vulnerable.

Sometimes I think it would be a good thing to have a ‘Caution - Read at Your Own Risk’ sticker placed on every Bible in the land because then we might take more notice of the personal dangers within its pages. Sure, the Bible is a story of God’s love, and our redemption story runs through it like a gold thread, but the Scriptures also come with warnings.

You will find out who you are as you read. You will see the things you did in a new light, and this will make you uneasy. You will become aware of just how serious a repeat offender of God’s laws you are, and most of all it will become evident how much your salvation cost the Son of God, to make you and me free. It will convict of sin through the work of the Holy Spirit so beware.

A personal story will illustrate this clearly. My late wife had one Bible as a teenager which she was presented with for perfect attendance at Sunday School. Not long after we started to go out together, she proudly showed me her Bible. It was her treasure she said. But I noticed water marks on one of the pages, and foolishly suggested that she had let it drop in a rain puddle. With a smile and a tear, she told me that the chapter she had been reading opened her eyes to her sin, and her Saviour. The water marks were her tears, falling onto the pages of her little Bible as she read and couldn’t stop. For her, it was the power of John chapter 14. Did you have a turnaround Bible passage or life experience?

The message is simple. Read the Bible and prepare to be changed!

Vitamin Deficiency

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke18:1NIV

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Psalm34:1NIV

Are you a good patient? Or do you do your own thing when it comes to your health? Let me guess. You go to the health shop and after a lot of thought you buy some vitamins because your body needs some help. You could have an underlying condition, or you are maybe just getting older and you need these vitamins to balance your body’s needs.

More than that, you go to the doctor and she gives you a wee pill on prescription for an ongoing condition, and when you ask how long you will need to take them, she says you will always need to control your cholesterol or blood pressure.

Let me guess, when you get the vitamins and the prescription, as soon as you get home, you take them. But then you stop. Well, you think, I took the pills but now you are surprised to be feeling as bad as ever during the days and weeks ahead. I am joking. Of course you are not that stupid because you wouldn’t be so short sighted. To get the benefit, you need to keep taking the medicine, right?

So, what makes us think we should have a part-time relationship with talking to God, praising Him, or reading His Word? We wouldn’t be so silly with our bodily health, so it makes sense that we need to look after our spiritual health, and we do that in the best way possible. There are no shortcuts in dealing with temptation or those sinful desires. We must keep on taking the spiritual medicine! During my Sunday School days we would sing “Read your Bible, Pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow”. In case you still haven’t got the message, let me leave you with this verse which says it best.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians5:16-18NKJV

Renewal

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30,31NLT

You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, “It is hopeless.” You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. Isaiah57:10

We are all subject to the troubles and worries of the day as we work our way through this life.

The words of an old Gospel song come to mind:
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation so
Now won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord

As we get that little bit older, these verses become more pointed, and important. Energy and stamina are the bywords of youth when you can take on the world. But now, you are left with little energy and lots of memories. What was once a dreaded time of life, has now become welcome to say the least.

The renewal the prophet speaks about is not to take us back to the strength of our youth, although that would be good, it talks about having a renewal of energy to take us through each and every day without flagging or falling. Whether you are a younger person, or an older, more mature believer, we will all have enough strength for the needs of the day. When you are having a hard time and your faith is being tested, whether young or old, Philippians 4:19 assures us that our “God will supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.” His strength can never be exhausted! Amen to that thought.

Easy Grace?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians2:8,9NIV

...if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans10:9,10NIV

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1John1:8-10NIV

We know that grace is the free and unmerited gift from God which secures our salvation. We equally know that there is nothing we can do to earn that salvation. Our “good works are as filthy rags” it says in Isaiah 64:6. So, our salvation is both free and we can’t earn it. In fact we can’t even put a deposit on it to help out. Yet that same free gift to us, cost the Son of God dear. The cost was His life on the cross, but then we also know that He rose from the grave, defeating death forever, and for us His followers. What great Grace!

Ok, I hear you say, you are saying things we already know. True, but I fear we are falling into a trap which is so easy to do as regular church goers. I fear we may become guilty of accepting this amazing free gift of God’s grace, and then….that’s it. Nothing. No change. No difference in our life or lifestyle. We certainly don’t try to earn our salvation, but neither do we expect, or even allow, God to do a work of change in our lives. So we are effectively no different after salvation than we were before. Is that what our Saviour wants from us? Nothing? I think not.

Our verses talk about confessing our sins, and professing our salvation. You can’t confess or profess if you are still unchanged and holding on to the old ways. Our salvation is then on a ‘shoogly peg’ to use an old Scottish phrase. In fact, our salvation is really in doubt. Make certain you confess and profess, and only then is salvation sure and the heart pure. Any and all good works from this point on are given from a heart of love. Not trying to earn salvation, but because of the certainty of our salvation. Amen and Amen.

The Mighty Fallen

How the mighty have fallen! ‘Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice. 2Samuel1:19,20NIV

All state schools in Scotland will be supported to teach LGBTI equality and inclusion across different age groups and subjects, according to the Scottish government. This includes an understanding of LGBTI terminology and identities and recognising and understanding homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. BBC News 10 Nov 2018

At one time, not so very long ago, Scotland was known as a country of the Bible. A Bible believing nation built and sustained by the precepts as laid down in the Holy Scriptures. Of course there were exceptions, but in general, the church held the people to a high standard as understood by the Bible. Now, some decades later the words of 2nd Samuel ring so true. “How the mighty have fallen” says it so well, and I believe we are in the death throes to extinction and oblivion. Strong words you think? Tell me how.

Just as it was in the Old Testament, so it is today. The prophet didn’t want the neighbouring districts of Gath and Ashkelon to know how far Israel had fallen, why? Because they were embarrassed at the depth of the fall. It was true then, and it is true again today. Read the BBC report and quietly weep.

Scotland has pulled off a first, because no other country in the world does this, or has gone so far to appease the Stonewall gay community. Your children and grandchildren in Primary School will be introduced in word and graphic image of the LGBTI life and lifestyle. This is to make it easier for your 6 to 11 year olds to decide if they really are a boy or a girl, or indeed anything else in between. Instead of playing games in the park or street, or running around with your pals, these young minds and bodies will instead be grappling with the insane and unnatural world of homosexuality, and whether or not their birth certificate has the correct gender recorded.

This once proud Scot is now ashamed of the nation of his birth, and just like the days of old, instead of Gath and Ashkelon, I don’t want my neighbouring nations to know what our own government has done. Sadly, it may be more true to say that we, the people, are responsible for not standing up against it when we saw it coming. Our grandchildren will not thank us, and they will rightly wonder why we did nothing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a good answer for that question. Lord, help me, and my nation!

Fake News

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John14:6

“Fake news” is sometimes also referred to as “alternative truth” although any similarity between them is non existent. President Trump brought the phrases to the fore as he tries to generate his own version of news and truth. It boils down to this: If President Trump says something, you can trust it as the pure truth. This alarms me because of the verse above.

No one likes bad things to be said about them, even if they are true, and the most powerful man in the free world is no exception. So when the media runs any article that he doesn’t like or agree with, he calls it fake or untrue. It then boils down to this: Who do you believe? If you say something long enough and loud enough, it will be trusted as truth. Donald J Trump knows this, and let’s be honest, this is a man who doesn’t like to be wrong. He made his empire by hard business negotiations with similarly hard businessmen. Can the same rules be used when governing a nation?

Here’s what my problem boils down to. If someone claims to be a ‘born again’ Christian, but links truth to things like the media, instead of a person like Jesus, there is something far wrong. Truth is found in the person of the Son of God, and this most basic of all truths has been missed. So my ability to trust that same someone with anything else is reduced to say the least, and it doesn’t matter who that someone is. Jesus knows all about fake news because He suffered from His own fake news and trial before His unjust crucifixion. So, I think He is well placed to judge what truth and justice are, and it will never come under the fake category. Another thought. If you profess to be a Christian, and use or peddle fake and misleading news to your own ends and benefit, God’s perfect justice will take care of it ultimately and eternally. That’s a lot longer than any 4 or 8 year term of office, and worth a long hard look in the mirror.

Our Own Good

Sometimes we do things for no other reason than for our own good. We don’t have to justify it to anyone because we think it’s the right and best thing to do. We don’t expect someone else to know better, and in a sense we don’t really care what they think.

Have you ever gone on a diet? Not because you were advised by a doctor, but because you thought you needed to shed a few pounds? What about giving up some sweet things, or bread, or starch, or fat? Something that you would benefit from and could see the difference in your waistline? What about cigarettes? We now know that nicotine is highly addictive, so what if we decide to do ourselves some good and cut down or even take all the help available to quit? It even has a spin off to our children and grandchildren who now don’t have to inhale our second hand smoke. Then there’s alcohol. Do you know, or have you ever been close to an alcoholic? One who will spend his or her last penny in the pub, while the kids at home go hungry? Do you think it’s a good thing for that person to do something for their own good? Ask anyone who has lived in a home alongside an alcoholic husband, wife, son or even daughter.

There are fifty two weeks in the year, but some would suggest that you can only do these good things within forty six of those weeks. The other six are out of bounds. Why? Because they are the Lenten weeks in the run up to Resurrection Sunday. If we do anything for our own good and those near to us in these six weeks, and you are a Protestant Christian who believes in the Reformation, somehow we are seen as having sold out to Catholicism by taking part in one of their rituals of giving something up.

I would suggest any of these actions taken for our own good, even during Lent, should be seen as a benefit, and certainly would not affect our standing before God, who after all is the only one who knows our heart, and when and why we are doing this small piece of personal good to and for our own body, and that of others around us whether it is Lent or not!

You want to do some good for yourself, or your family? Then don’t check the calendar first!

Abundant Life

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John10:9,10

I think we need to ‘KISS’ these verses. Let’s Keep It So Simple! And look at the content and context. Jesus came to this earth, and into the Christian’s heart to give him/her life, but not just any life, it’s abundant life. Some translations describe it as overflowing life, and that’s extraordinary living. Who would not want that? Or to put it another way, why would anyone want to pour cold water on this promise?

The phrase “The thief comes only to steal” is a clue to who would want to spoil the Christian’s full and abundant life, and it is a thief. Someone who would steal your joy. The trouble is that our abundant life can be most in jeopardy and stolen by other christians who will decide (for you) that you are not living your life correctly. Perhaps you are watching the wrong Christian TV programs and movies, or reading the wrong inspirational books, enjoying the wrong Christian music, or even listening to the wrong Christian pastors and leaders. This is being done on an industrial internet scale by those who would want to mould you into their image of who God is to them, and by extension, should be to you too. However, I hope you can hold on to the fact that as Christians we have abundant life, and as the following verses confirm it is full of joy and gladness. I for one need to hold on to my future reward which is great in heaven. Amen, and thank you Lord for the positive message of the Gospel which grows in joy, rejoicing, and abundant life.

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah8:10

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew5:11,12

Joy

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John15:11NIV

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah8:10NIV

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. John10:10NIV

The type of joy that comes from the peace that only God can give is ours as faithful servants. The Bible is full of references to the uplifting joy of the Lord, and we do well to remember this. The theme runs through the old and new testaments, so it is an important word for us to hear and obey.

There are those outside the family of God who want to rob you of this happiness, and we must not allow them to get a foothold. It would be a thief who would want to rob us of our positive outlook on life, and sadly there are thieves in the church too. Instead of emphasising and concentrating on the joy that salvation brings, they would want to point to the ‘prophets of doom’ which they see as more important than the joy itself.

You know the type. So and so is a false prophet, and a teacher from the devil, parading as a christian. Beware of him or her, they will lead you astray. They are dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. Disguised as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they appear in such a way that you wouldn’t know you are being taken in. But it’s ok they say, I am here to keep you right, because I know who the good guys are and the bad ones too. Listen to me and I will keep you right because I have seen the evidence on the internet, based on the truth of the Scripture of course. If anything will rob your joy, it is this kind of thief.

When the authorities are training to spot a counterfeit, they check the genuine article over and over again until they know it completely. They do not round up every false copy and scrutinise them one by one. There are too many, so they concentrate their attention on the original, only and always. What a lesson. Maybe we should take less time to look for the fakes, and only and always scrutinise Jesus Christ the original. That way, our joy will never be in danger of being diminished or even stolen!

Asia Bibi

**Alert: Some may be upset with the following post**

In the highly majority Muslim, Islamic country of Pakistan, a young Christian woman has been sentenced to death, held in death row for eight years, and her alleged crime was one of blasphemy against Islam. Happily her sentence has been overturned by Pakistan’s top court, but sadly her life is probably in more danger than ever before, and to top it off she has been barred from leaving the country where there are riots boiling over, demanding her death.

We are often told not to judge one bad incidence on all members of a faith group like the Islamic/Muslim believers. But when there are tens of thousands of people taking to the streets insisting that the death penalty is enforced on one woman, if not by the courts, then by their own hands, then that’s the same thing. Let me get this right. One slight Christian woman in jail for 8 years, and under the order of capital punishment, versus several thousands of marauding Muslims baying for her blood. Now tell me again why I shouldn’t judge the false religion of Islam when the odds against her are 50,000+ to 1, and believe they are all basically and fundamentally the same?

Asia’s husband is asking for asylum, and since they are not allowed to leave the country what do you think will happen? Yes, trial by mob rule when they get their hands on this innocent woman. They are already protesting carrying placards, showing her head in a noose. All the government needs to do now…. is nothing, and their little problem woman conveniently will ‘go away’. To Asia Bibi’s credit, in spite of all that has been happening to her, and around her, she has not renounced her faith. Doesn’t that strong, unwavering faith put you and me to shame? It should!

I am left wondering what the so called Christian countries are doing to help this woman and her husband. Probably not very much, and almost certainly the same as the Pakistani government. Not very much. It goes to confirm that we’re not much of a Christian country any more.

Good Way First

This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah6:16NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… Matthew6:33NIV

There are many ways out there, and when you are young there is the tendency to try a few of them without thinking of the consequences, or where they will end up. Everyone who is older, has been young once, but sometimes our younger folks don’t realise that, or they seem to think it was different way back then in the dark ages! Spoiler alert. It wasn’t any different!

The saying ‘older and wiser’ is there for a reason, and should not be discounted. Wiser doesn’t mean educated with a diploma, but experienced by virtue of the school of hard knocks graduated with a first class honours degree. I don’t say every older person has tried every road or path in life, but between us we have walked a good few. Bad destinations that you don’t recognise while you are having fun. Rough terrain but you know you can handle it. Peaks and hills that tire you out, but don’t worry there’s always tomorrow morning to sleep it off. And you will always find ‘friends’ who will help you try out as many of these paths as you can, after all you are only young once, right? Yes, I have heard it before.

You don’t really need to know it from the Bible although it is very clear there, but that piece of common sense we all have tells us that it is better to find the good way, and not to waste our life searching for the best of a bad bunch of misleading paths. Can I let you into a secret? Taking the good way really doesn’t rob you of fun, or a worthwhile experience. It’s true. The Bible puts it as ‘rest for your souls’ but that can’t be a bad thing, can it? Who, in this life, doesn’t want some peace at any age?

The key question is how do we find that good way, and know it for sure? Spoiler alert number 2. It’s using more common sense, but it might help to know the rest of the text at the top of the post. You don’t need to be educated to understand the meaning, so here it is…..

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew6:33NIV. Now tell me, how good is that? I’ll tell you, it’s unbeatable!

Just Talk?

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy6:6-7NIV

Our biggest, best, and most important mission field is our family. Not the world, or the nation, or even the community, all of which are important, but not as significant as our children. The biggest influence on any child is their mum and dad, especially in their younger formative years, so what are we doing about it?

I don’t know about your church fellowship, but I was used to missionary meetings which always featured brave men and women who left home and family to take the gospel to the poor tribes in the third world. What amazing stories they told, but every convert was a tough challenge, and certainly not easy. Going into a culture which is contrary to the Christian Gospel, and going against the grain for every convert is not easy and every one should be commended.

We are not all called to be missionaries, preachers, or teachers, but every parent has the ability to tell their children about the love of God, and better still, they can show that love first hand. The impact is clear and unmistakeable, and our verse shows the importance. But why do it at all? Taking the following verses in context shows God’s heart and intention for using the family unit as the mission field that most adults can identify with, and He gives us good reason to talk so that we don’t forget the Lord. Just talk with your family, and walk the talk!

When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you – a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deuteronomy6:10-12NIV

Effort or Works?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8,9NIV

We are so used to quoting these verses while thinking about those good works of charity outside the doors of our church. Things like, running a food bank, visiting the sick, working with the homeless, and there are other good works which a Christian will be involved with. Our good works in the community come from a heart of faith and we know they do not give us salvation. But what about ‘good works’ inside the doors of the church itself?

I would suggest that there could be an expectation or requirement of some good works inside the church too. There are some well known denominations and sects which openly operate on the principle of good works being necessary for salvation, but in a Bible believing evangelical church? Surely not?

Recently I became aware of the expected effort being placed on a congregation to behave in a certain prescribed way during the worship time. More effort should be placed on things like hand clapping, raising hands, swaying, bouncing on the spot, and generally singing with more expression, whether you were comfortable with it or not. All this while the leader is encouraging the folks with words like, “C’mon church” during the song. Granted, this mainly comes from some online mega-churches, but are we slowly in danger of becoming more like this model ourselves? Is the worship time starting to take over from the preaching of the Word? Is this not like the tail wagging the dog??

The Emperor

You know the story. The Emperor desperately wants and needs to be seen as superior and special in the eyes of his subjects, so he gathers his advisers together to come up with a plan which will do just that. Ideas come thick and fast, but nothing suits the Emperor. Until, that is, one of the courtiers brings in a new wardrobe of clothes, and this leader loves new threads above everything else. As he peers at the adviser’s arms, over which these new clothes are draped, he utters the words, “I don’t see any new clothes, there are no new clothes”.

The rest of the story is legend. The courtier convinces the Emperor that these are the finest clothing lines that have ever been produced, and his staff and subjects will be beside themselves when he goes out in public. The Emperor is convinced, and not only that, everyone else is told that they cannot see them because they are so fine. Word gets around that their leader is going on a procession through his Empire to the adulation of his subjects. To a man and woman everyone convinces themselves that these clothes are so fine, they are magical. The crowds ooh and aah as he passes by because no one wants to admit to being so backward that they cannot see these fine clothes. In the end it takes a small boy, who shouts in innocence, “the Emperor has no clothes!” The game was up, and it took a little lad who hadn’t been told and convinced that the clothing was special.

Oh how we are like the crowds gasping at the finely dressed Emperor, convinced that he is wearing the best suit that money can buy. To say anything else would tell everyone that we were the stupid ones. So we stay silent as the new fad, phase, program, or advance is rolled out to the adoring crowds. Now put yourself in the church seat or pew, when a newbie comes in to sweep clean, and introduces a new way to do your church. You are the ‘simple faithful Christian’ and they are the enthusiastic graduate who has convinced everyone that their way is best and will work a treat (and they have the diploma to prove it).

Do we, like the crowds around the Emperor in his underwear, accept the patently obvious confusion, or wait for a young believer to shout the thing that we all know to be the truth, that the new program or system is without the warmth of decent covering and has left us hanging out cold and dry? What?? This isn’t the first time??? It has happened before????

What If Church?

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians6:7-9ESV

What is your idea of church? If you are older, and have been going to church for a number of years, you must have seen changes. I am guessing you accepted some, but held your nose with others mostly because church attendance was important to you, and it is Scriptural after all.

There are many denominations within the Reformed tradition, so if you were unhappy with the changing direction of your own doctrine and fellowship, what would you do?

What if church was viewed as a morning or evening out with friends? Or a way to have a nice time? Or to be entertained? Or a social event? Any kind of gradually reducing Spiritual content would then be taken as part of the territory and would be accepted as normal going forward.

A friend from a different denomination made a refreshing comment which warmed my heart. It wasn’t about the programs in his church, or the outreach, or the growth figures. No, he said simply, “all I know is that Jesus is my Saviour, my sins are forgiven, and I am bound for heaven.” I mean, who talks like that anymore? (said with my tongue firmly in my cheek). Seriously, shouldn’t our conversation with Christian friends be more like that, and not our football team, or our latest baking experience, a photo of our dinner plate, or even our latest diet? Just sayin’.

Expectations

Whether we like it or not, we place our expectations on others whose life impacts us. We think they have a mark to reach to be true to the person we think they are. Let me expand that to the people they lead you to think they are! That’s a very different thing, isn’t it? There are jobs and professions that we instinctively know what to expect, and we are seldom, if ever, wrong. Doctors, nurses, police officers, and I’m sure you could add others. But these are professions. Trained professionals in fact. But what about a work or vocation that is spread across all kinds of people, young and old, experienced or not, man or woman?

The Christian is such a person, and we have our expectations in each of them, whether in the community, or other churches, or dare I say even our own church. While in mixed company, have you ever heard the words, “I never thought you….(fill the action yourself)”. It’s akin to suggesting that you are a hypocrite, and that is a word I dislike intensely.

You see, the truth is: As much as we place our expectations on others, those same ‘others’ are placing their own expectations on us. I suppose that’s a fair balance, but I still don’t like it. The bottom line is that I think we should be very careful about the measuring stick we use on our Christian brothers and sisters, because they could use that same stick to beat us up if we fall short of their expectations! How then do we ALL live up to the expectations placed on us? The short answer is that we don’t, because we can’t in our own strength. The apostle Paul gives us the answer when he wrote to the Christians at the growing church in Colossae.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord. Colossians1:9,10NIV

Royalty

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1Peter2:9NIV

It doesn’t get much better than this, does it? We are chosen, royal, a holy nation, special possession, declaring praises, into His light!! To get the full weight of this verse you have to read it more than once, and slowly to let it sink in.

When you wonder what God thinks of you, and the failings you have, consider this verse. When you have struggled and tripped up on the way, read this verse. When you doubt your salvation let that verse drip feed into your soul.

I have heard it said that if God had a fridge, He would have our photo on it. Certainly not scriptural, but it carries the sentiment well. God loves us completely, and the list of ways He loves us runs through this verse and the whole of Scripture like the lettering on a stick of Blackpool rock. All we have to do is believe, and trust in the same God who says them in His Word.

One Hundred Years

‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ Numbers14:18NIV

Older folks, we have a great responsibility on our shoulders. There are a few verses which record the same thing, that our Great-Great Grandchildren’s society will pay the price for the sins of our generation, and since the average age of a generation is around 25 years, we will be well gone from this scene of time but our family will still be affected, and it will be our fault.

We cannot claim that this is an old testament ‘curse’ only. Take a look around the great nations who once were Christian in word and deed, and look at those same countries now. You will see that in the space of 100 years, so much has changed. For two examples, think of the UK and the USA, and look back those 4 generations. What a change in morality, and there can be no doubt that while they sowed the wind, we are reaping the whirlwind. So it will be four generations hence.

This is more a warning for each and every present generation, and less a punishment on our succeeding generations. They are solely and directly inheriting the mistakes (sins) of their ancestors. The children in 100 years time are not at fault, we are. They are innocent, and we are guilty of neglecting God and His Word. The Children of Israel did it time and again, but God was patient and kept taking them back when they repented. But the cycle repeated.

Although each individual at every generation has the freedom to repent and put God first, this truth still works. The general state of society will reflect the rejection of God at every generation until there is a revival and the ordinary man and woman comes to their senses and turns our god-less nations around. Lord, let is begin in our generation. With us. With me!

I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.But I do not excuse the guilty.I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.” Exodus34:7NLT

Natural?

News outlets like to carry stories that a same sex ‘couple’ have had a baby. Both are quoted as being ‘naturally excited’ after successful IVF treatment. The ‘couple’ may be excited, but no one can say the process is natural. They are not the first to go through this process, and certainly will not be the last. This usually only becomes newsworthy because of the celebrity status of the people involved making some ‘newsy’ contribution on a slow day.

Was intimacy or physical love involved? No. Instead the process will have been intrusive, very unnatural, and certainly not born out of any physical union. Will the ‘father’ or ‘mother’ (if known) be involved in the child’s life? No. Certainly not a desirable outcome.

I understand that this kind of ‘operation’ is becoming more frequent, but by no stretch of the imagination can it be called, natural. We have become so PC that we cannot express an opinion contrary to their decision. After all, they have every right in the law of the land to use this procedure to allow a baby to be born. We do it with normal couples, so why not everyone and anyone? Does our society condone this just because the process is possible, although abnormal? Probably. But does that make it right, or moral, or ethical? No.

The baby, and growing child, will lack either a mum or a dad in their young formative life, and we have been deceived into thinking that children are equally secure and stable in any loving relationship, whether heterosexual, lesbian, or homosexual. We, as a society and community, are on the cusp of finding out the truth of this theory. I for one am glad that I will not be around to see the consequences, but my heart aches for my children and grandchildren. What has my generation done in haste that must be repented at leisure??

Words

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Proverbs15:23NIV

The words we use are very important in all aspects of our lives, and that includes the church. In fact, it matters even more in the church because it is by our words and actions that we are judged by those inside AND outside the church. We usually talk about the conversations we choose to undertake or join because they may not be suitable. But what about those answers we give to the words used by others? They are important too.

The verse above is very clear that we gain joy as we give our ‘apt reply’ when our friends talk to us. I suggest this is more than a ‘smart’ or ‘cleverly crafted’ or even ‘academic’ response. If someone is hurting, they don’t need a smart answer. If they are struggling with their faith, they can’t use a cleverly crafted reply. When a child in the faith needs advice or direction, the last thing they want is an academic treatise.

Giving an apt reply can be a gift from the Holy Spirit from you to that friend, for that time. But I found myself asking, how do I gain that insight to the much needed ‘apt reply’ because there are many hurting and needy people who need that ‘word in season’? I believe the true and good response we should give is governed by our ‘hearts being fully committed to the LORD our God’. May our Lord help us to be the carrier of that ‘apt reply’.

And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1Kings8:61NIV

Sarcy

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians4:6NIV

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians4:29NIV

I need to nail something down. Right now. My Scottish culture almost demands that you are sarcastic, and the more sarcastic you can be, the better. To soften the barbs, we find it goes by other names like, ‘a bit of fun’, ‘banter’, ‘harmless chatter’, ‘inoffensive laughs’ and the favourite, ‘everybody does it’. It doesn’t sound so bad like that, does it? However, sometimes it feels like a competition and I’m getting tired of it.

The little brother of sarcasm is irony, and there is a better place in our language for that, than for being sarcastic. Let me throw a lifeline. Done well, sarcasm can be very funny and more so when no one is affected personally. Scottish menfolk are not good at light sarcasm. It has to be full bore or not at all. In fact, the more personal you can make your sarcastic comments, that would seem to work for many. Because this is a cultural failure, the ailment has seeped into the church, and good Christians have become quite adept at the ‘art’. Social media is a favourite gallery to display your prowess’.

I wonder how Jesus views our conversations? We do have good evidence that God would prefer we didn’t sink to that level as seen in the two verses above. There are many more taken in context which would support this.

The ground has been pierced by my sword from here on. I cannot do anything to stop my friends being who they are, or holding to this kind of so called humour, but I can exert some pressure to change myself, from the inside. So, when addressed in sarcasm, whether personally or aimed at another, I will not react or respond. For my own part, it dies right there. I feel I have been here before, but each time I backslide, the worse the error of my sarcasm becomes. Is my target too high, and perhaps unattainable? I hope not because I don’t like myself when I slide back, even a little.

Sarcasm defined by the Cambridge English Dictionary: “The use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, made in order to hurt someone's feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way.” Or how about this definition?: “the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.” ...and still the answer comes back, “..it’s only a bit of banter, a bit of fun!” Somehow I don’t see my culture changing anytime soon!