TFTD - 29 December 2013 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

Thought for the Day

29 December 2013

"Beyond all doubt it is the teaching of Scripture that the true life is at every point and every stage God’s gift. It is receivable through faith, and faith in the Biblical sense is only possible in that which can be trusted as true. A man may say “I believe” and mean no more than “I hold it as an opinion”. In the Scriptural sense “I believe” means “I put my whole life in trust in the conviction that this is true”. Biblical faith is not a leap in the dark; it is a coming to the light."

- L.G. Sargent
A Sound Mind

TFTD - 29 December 2013 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

29 December 2013

Job 39
Malachi 1
Revelation 17; 18

"BUILT TOGETHER"

Malachi is the last prophet God sent to his people Israel before John the Baptist and Christ came on the scene. After Malachi there is silence in Israel, no inspired man from God appears. Of course the records of the messages of the prophets are available; indeed they are carefully preserved as we can see from the discovery of so many scrolls in the caves by the Dead Sea in 1947-50.

So was there anything significant in the message God sent through the last prophet? The first half of his short book is a lament by God that the people only give in sacrifice to him what we might call the 'leftovers.'

The prophet's message is, "You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished." [Malachi 1:13,14]

Have these words any application today for those who say they believe and serve God? It certainly has! While there is no temple for us to bring our offerings, there is a spiritual temple. Paul wrote, "we are the temple of the living God; as God said, I will make my dwelling among them …" [2 Corinthians 6:16]. Paul made the same point to the believers at Ephesus saying that, "In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." [Ephesians 2:22]

Gatherings of believers must sense the wonder of this happening, the wonder of God's involvement in their lives. But do many only give to God the leftovers of their time today? Do some feel, as we read in Malachi, "What a weariness this is" [Malachi 1:13] when they feel obliged to find some time to use in a spiritual way. God even felt it would be better if someone "would shut the doors" to the temple so they "might not kindle fire on my altar in vain." [Malachi 1:10].

So if we only give to God our 'left over' time will not God also say of us, "I have no pleasure in you … I will not accept an offering". If we struggle to fit in time, and often do not succeed, in joining with fellow believers in acts of worship and in the reading and study of God's word, will God not have the same attitude toward us as he did in the days of Malachi? If we make a New Year's resolution on this ­ how quickly will it be broken? It depends on how well we sense the presence of God ­ and the climax of the book of Job gives us a lesson on this.

TFTD - 28 December 2013 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

28 December 2013

Job 38
Zechariah 13; 14
Revelation 15; 16

"FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUS DEEDS OF THE SAINTS"

Today's reading of the last chapter of the prophet Zechariah starts with, "Behold a day is coming for the LORD … will gather all nations against Jerusalem …" and our reading in Revelation contains the only verse in the Bible with the word ARMAGEDDON. We read there how "demonic spirits" (totally irrational attitudes? ­ now in many countries) " … go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God Almighty. Behold I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake … and they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon" [Revelation 16:14-16]

The word Armageddon crops up in our Newspapers quite a lot, sometimes in relation to climate change and fearsome weather events. It was also used in relation to the world-wide financial instability, which is still far from solved, especially in Europe. The world's economy in the last 20 years has been supercharged so that it needs massive continuous spending. This is the NOW generation, we must have everything NOW.

The money crisis is kept at bay by Governments throwing a heap of largely borrowed money into the system. Of course, money is no longer gold and silver, which was its foundation, even 100 years ago. Money has become a "beast" which people worship. It is interesting that Revelation 16 says a replica (image) of the beast causes "harmful and painful sores" on "those who bore the mark of the beast and worshipped its image." [Revelation 16:2]

Zechariah's chapter also describes Armageddon without using the word! Remember our thoughts yesterday. After the LORD goes forth to fight "… the mount of Olives shall be split in two" [Zechariah 14:3,4] We noted that Revelation 16:18 speaks of "a great earthquake such as there has never been since man was on earth."

Zechariah also states that "all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, their tongues will rot in their mouths." [Zechariah 14:12] That sounds horribly like radiation.

But then, writes Zechariah, "the LORD will be King over all the earth … then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship in King, the LORD of Hosts …" [Zechariah 14:9,16]. We have read almost the same in Revelation, "Who will not fear O Lord and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you for your righteous acts have been revealed." [Revelation 15:4]

The challenge to us - we quote again "Blessed is the one who stays awake keeping his garments". We note Revelation 19:8 - "fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints". We must be with those who are awake, keeping our garments. [see Revelation 16:15]

Thought for the Day 28 December 2013

"His servants shall serve Him with perfectly reciprocated love, and they shall see His face. Not His kind face, not His forgiving face, because every one of those adjectives would suggest the need for these virtues, and that need will have ceased. Perfect love will have cast out all fear: in Christ all will have been forgiven, and though love continues to be the essence of the everlasting ages, there will be no need for a forgiving love. "They shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads." (Revelation 22:4)"

- H.A. Twelves
Seeing the Lord (1949)

TFTD - 27 December 2013 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

27 December 2013

Job 37
Zechariah 12
Revelation 14

"STRENGTH THROUGH THE LORD OF HOSTS"

Nine times we read the phrase "on that day" in just 15 verses in Zechariah 12 through to the first 2 verses of Zechariah 13. We note the prelude to these pronouncements, "Thus declares the LORD who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him" [Zechariah 12:1]. These words fascinate us as a way to announce the character of God, a declaration of his absolute almightiness as the originator of all that exists.

It is the first "on that day" that has captivated the attention of believers throughout our lifetime. "On that day" we read, "I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it." [Zechariah 12:3] Jerusalem has been the centre of attention in the Middle East, attracting more and more the attention of the whole world since Israel became a nation again in 1948 after being "dead" since AD 70.

The USA has tried hard to "lift" the stone to solve the problem: it seems to have only made matters worse. The influences of Islamic countries have grown greater and it now seems clear that some day, maybe soon, an "explosion" will occur. The next "on that day" is when God "will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness" [Zechariah 12:4] Today men have invented a great variety of "vehicles" to replace the horse. They get around at great speed. What is this madness? We suggest it means totally irrational behaviour in a situation which gets totally out of control.

Now notice the declaration in the next verse. "The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts their God." We are strongly inclined to believe this happens because God has poured out on "Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him they have pierced, they shall mourn …" [Zechariah 12:10]

This portrays the wonder of the return of Christ, the Jews recognise their Messiah at last; but Zechariah 13:8,9 appears to indicate they first experience a traumatic time when God will "refine them". There is an incredible turn around of events "the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives" [Zechariah 14:4] from where Jesus ascended [Acts 1:9-12] But also "on that day there shall be a fountain opened for … the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness" [Zechariah 13:1] The most momentous climax possible to human history. Will you be there on that day?

Thought for the Day 27 December 2013

Thought for the Day

27 December 2013

"Christ was able to see the end of the mission: able to discern the shape of the Cross looming on the horizon. Fortunately for us, the distant scene is hidden; we know not what sacrifices, small or great, will be required of us. But we do know that the same kind of life is required: the same vision, the same outlook, the same sense of vocation and dedication, the same recognition that our lives are just not ours to do what we like with; the same conscious direction of our wills along paths that are certain sometimes to be irksome. We have to pass the same three milestones that Christ knew; Perception, Persistence, Perfection."

- Cyril Cooper
Consider Him! (1959

26 December 2013 Job 35; 36 Zechariah 11 Revelation 12; 13 Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

"PATIENT ENDURANCE"

"Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints" [Revelation 13:10.] The A V Bible uses the word "patience" here, one of seven significant occasions when the word occurs in this book. ­ we should best read it as "patient endurance." This statement was true then ­ and it is just as true today; it is vital it becomes the guiding principle in our lives.

Honesty should compel all dedicated students of God's word to admit that a good number of things in the Bible are a "challenge" ­ in particular- to understand and try to be specific in expounding prophecy; all to often time has proved such efforts misguided. We can see the wonderful framework, but filling in the details has led all expositors into trouble at times.

That said though, it is clear from what is written that there is to be, and has been throughout history, continuing frustration in learning and understanding that which is true and right in relation to what God has revealed. All too often human perversions threaten to confuse our understanding. It was so in the time of Jesus and we read several times of Jesus condemning the religious leaders for teaching their own traditions. [Matthew 15:3-6] Such are represented in Revelation by a dragon and a beast. We read of a beast that looks somewhat like a lamb [Revelation 13:11] but when it opens its mouth it is clear it is not.

A lesson in life is that one never judges simply by appearances! This is why it is essential to read and absorb the teachings of the Bible for ourselves. In past Centuries, those represented by the symbols of the beast and the dragon, often persecuted those who followed the lamb and sometimes they became martyrs ­ which is what happened to some of the first disciples.

Today, we also have to contend with more and more dogmatic statements on evolution! Only a fool believes life has developed by pure chance ­ by an incredible countless number of accidents ­ and there is no Creator! The outcome today is even greater immoral behaviour. There is "no fear of God before their eyes" [Romans 3:18]. So the call for "endurance and faith" is more important today than ever.

Bible Reading Thoughts for December 25th “THE TIME … FOR REWARDING YOUR SERVANTS”

 The Book of Revelation provides us with a wondrous vision today.   There are loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” [Ch.11 v.15].   Then the elders fall on their faces and worship saying, “We give thanks to you Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.  The nations raged, but your wrath came and the time for the dead to be judged and for rewarding your servants the prophets and saints. And those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth” [v.17/18]

    What a day of incredible thanksgiving this will be.   We should see the present human celebrations surrounding the Christmas period for all its emptiness.  What are people giving thanks for today?  It is the passing ‘pleasure’ of the moment!   The children enjoy themselves and we recall Paul’s observation “When I was a child … I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I gave up childish ways.” [1 Cor. 13 v.11].

    Paul also said, “remember … Jesus how he himself said, ’It is more blessed to give than to receive’” [Acts 20 v.35] – we must teach our children this principle.  Do any of the children in the world (or their parents) learn anything real about Jesus? It seems impossible to think so, but God knows. Wherever opportunity offers we should “speak a word in season” to help them to do so. 

    It is interesting that only twice in the Bible is there any mention of celebrating birthdays – and both were those of bad men! [Genesis 40 v.20 – Pharaoh] and [Matthew 12 v.6 – Herod, when John the Baptist lost his head]. 

     The heaven inspired celebration to come will be wondrous, but until that time true believers celebrate not the birthday of Jesus, but his sacrifice and death in the way he appointed [Luke 22 v.15-20], believing in a wondrous climax to that celebration in the kingdom.  

    This wondrous event, called “the marriage supper of the Lamb” is also mentioned in Revelation [19 v.6-9] “Blessed are those who are invited” to that celebration which is far beyond us to imagine!  Do you believe you are worthy of receiving an invitation?  No?  It will be only by his grace!  But who is worthy?  It is interesting that the Gk word for ‘worthy’ is one of the words  which occur seven times in the book – but only its first occurrence (ch, 3 v.4) is one that indicates saints that are worthy of receiving a  blessing before God; the last (ch. 16 v.6) is about those unworthy. Once again, the broad and narrow ways – make sure you on the “rewarding” pathway of the “worthy” in 2014

"FROM EVERY NATION" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 24th

FROM EVERY NATION”                                                                                                                       

     Our readings in the book of Revelation are about coming dramas in human history, as Jesus revealed them in largely symbolic language to his disciple John  - the one “whom Jesus loved” [John 21 v.7,20].  The description builds up to the climactic failure of human life on earth. We read of visions, largely, but not entirely, in symbol, they ‘picture’ God’s awesome judgements. Eventually it is a time for opening the book of life.  There are blessings for those he judges as righteous and the opposite for others: there is no neutral third group.

       John looks and sees “a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the lamb clothed in white robes …. crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb’” [7 v.9-10]  “The lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd and he will guide them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” [v.17]

        Jesus is the Lamb and we read in the Gospels of him speaking of ‘living water’,  “If anyone thirsts, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” [John 7 v.38]  Jesus had spoken about this to the Samaritan woman saying, “whoever drinks of the water I will give him, it will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” [John 4 v.14]  We can understand that kind of symbolic language.

         One would like to ignore the other side of the picture!  The angel is told, “Do not harm the earth … until we have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads”   This reminds us of the blood on the doorposts in Egypt when God was about to bring the final plague!  

     In Revelation we also read of plagues on “the rest of mankind” continuing on to affect those “who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent … nor give up worshipping demons and idols … nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality …” [Ch.9 v.20-21]   It is interesting that in the margin of the NKJV Bible sorceries is given the meaning of drugs!   

     We live at a time when the climax of human history is approaching fast, how great is the need to fill our minds with God’s word in contrast to what occupies the minds of nearly every else: they are ‘blinded’ by the non-stop intensity of life: there is no thought to there even being a God!   How much are you and I affected by this?  How well are you coping with it?  Are you genuinely looking to the “shepherd, (so that) he will guide (you) to springs of living water”? [Rev 7 v.17]

      We show how genuine we are in this in the way we feed on his “living and abiding word” (1 Peter 1 v.23) every day – enabling us to be more sure of being among those “from every nation” in the time soon to come.

EIGHTEEN "IF's - Thoughts from the Dec. 23rd Bible Readings

EIGHTEEN “IF”s                                                                                                                                   

     ‘IF’  is a two letter word that sometimes occurs within a very significant context.  In our reading in Job today, Job’s 3 friends give up on their vain attempts to reason that Job must be a secret sinner.  The argument that he must be so because of all the bad things that happened to him collapses, they can quote no evidence and in any case, the real facts of how the wicked so often prosper destroys their reasoning.   

     We noticed how, in Ch.31, in his final words to them, Job uses the word ‘IF’ no less than 18 times, saying, “If I have done this or that then I would be deserving of God’s judgements, i.e. punishment.  Food for much thought here!

     “If I have walked with falsehood” [v.5] ‘been enticed toward a woman’ [v.9] ‘made gold my trust’ [v.24] ‘rejoiced because of my wealth’ [v.25] worshipped the sun and moon [v.26-28] ‘concealed my transgressions’ [v.33] not made fair and proper use of the produce of my lands [v.38/39]

      In these efforts to justify himself, with which we can empathize, Job also makes some other statements that add up to a challenge to us as to our responsibilities (in the sight of God)  toward others. He says, “If I withheld anything that the poor desired, or caused the eye of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone and the fatherless have not eaten of it.’ [v.16/17] “If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing” [v.19] and not looked after the traveller…” [v.31/32]  

       In this country the Government provides for much of this, but there are ‘cracks’ in the system that need watching, but in many other countries there are many more cracks..   Another point is in v.29 “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him”    

       He recognized God would judge him for his failures to act and for having wrong attitudes; it was not just a matter of avoiding doing bad things. 

       For his godly attitude in all these things and, especially, for speaking of God that which is right [42 v.7] Job is, in the end, blessed.  We have not been tested like Job, but the question we each must ask ourselves is – can we echo the words of Job ourselves?  Let us each reflect on the way we have lived and are living our lives.

Your last Bible Readings tThoughts UNLESS ...

THESE ARE YOUR LAST BIBLE READING’ THOUGHTS unless you have emailed us saying you wish to continue. 

     We have briefly responded and acknowledged  the many emails received, so have created a list of all such.

     Of course, if you prefer to leave responding until after the holiday break, that’s fine. Hear from you later.

     Please note:  because we are moving house, Kay McGrath will, Lord willing,  be sending out the thoughts for most if not all of January

Here are the thoughts that arose from this morning’s readings ….

“I SCATTERED THEM … AMONG THE NATIONS”

     Our readings today created a wide mix of thoughts.  In the first one, Job continues to lament his situation and that is very understandable; he had held a position of the greatest respect, but now he is in the opposite situation – but we remember how Paul told the Corinthians that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (or tested) beyond your ability … to endure it.” [1 Cor. 10 v.13]  Job’s ability to endure was great, God knew the inner strength of his character formed from his total commitment to him, Job had said, “he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” [23 v.10].

     Zechariah, was a prophet God sent when Israel returned from exile under the leadership of Ezra – God revealed to him that an even greater scattering was coming. The people around him were not heeding “the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit though the former prophets ….  I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known.  Thus the land they left was (became) desolate …” [7 v.12-14]  A prophecy that had its complete fulfillment after they rejected God’s prophet, his son, our Lord.  But as we read on in Zechariah in the next few days we will see some awesome words that are now in the process of fulfillment.

     Then in Revelation we read the ultimate personal promise of Jesus to “the one who conquers, I will grant him (her) to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” [3 v.21]  Then in ch. 4 we read the ultimate climax of total praise to the Creator “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” [4 v.11]

     The parts of God’s word that contain such word pictures are the ultimate challenge to us – to believe!  Then to show the heart felt nature of our belief by living lives that show the conviction we have developed in our hearts.  Have you accepted that challenge?  Are you living in a way that proves that you have?   

"I WILL GIVE TO EACH AS YOUR ..." Thoughts from Today's Bib;e Readings 21/12/13

“I WILL GIVE TO EACH AS YOUR …”

     Today we started reading the book of Revelation and to begin with we have the messages to the 7 churches, of course that means the members, not the building; which is the meaning of the Gk word ecclesia.  We can view these 7 churches as representative of all the different types of communities of believers that have existed through the ages.

     We notice the message to the believers at Thyatira: it begins with praise, “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first …” [2 v.19]  How great to increase in zeal in working for our Lord, but then come words of serious disappointment because some are led into the “practice of sexual immorality,”  and these, says Jesus, “I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent” [v.22]  along with the one who has led them into this behavior who will be throw(n) “onto a sickbed” – probably the result of that behavior.

      May it be that the believers in Thyatira learnt lessons from  this, a lesson which has probably been learnt in many generations in the centuries since: “and all the churches (true believers) will know that I am he who searches mind and heart and, I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” [v.23]  

      It must be evident to all true believers that this type of fleshly influence, while true in every generation; that in our era it is flagrant, so much so that it is now widely accepted as “normal”,   Therefore the message to believers at Thyatira is totally appropriate to believers in the 21^st Century.  Let everyone of us be totally conscious that our Lord “will give to each one as (y)our works deserve.” 

     Now it is true that we are saved by faith – but, remember what we read earlier this month in James, “You see that faith was active along with his (Abraham’s) works, and faith was completed byhis works … you see that a person is justified by works and not by faith along” [ch. 2 v.22,24]

     Finally, recall what Peter told Cornelius, the Roman Centurion when he was teaching him about the true God and his son, “I understand that … in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” [Acts 10 v.34,35] and of course Cornelius began, in doing “what is right” by being “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” [v.48]  Let us always be mindful that our Lord “will give to each as (y)our works deserve.”

"WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 2oth

“WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING”

     No one wants to stumble; what is the cause when this happens?  They are not looking at where they are going and not watching where they put their feet; worse still, they have no definite destination in view and are constantly looking at the distractions all around them, God’s word no longer holds their attention..

     I was really shocked once when a young man said to me, “This life is all I want, I can’t imagine living forever.’  This illustrates how great are the distractions of today and the need to read God’s word with increasing attention and for each one to develop their own realization of the Divine presence. Job made the point to the 3 ‘friends, ’in his (God’s) hand is the life of every living thing” [12 v.10] and David declared of God, “You discern my thoughts from afar … and are acquainted with all my ways.”  [Psa. 139 v.2,3]  

     Our thoughts along these lines were provoked by the one chapter letter of Jude we read today.  It is generally understood that Jude is another son of Mary and therefore a brother-in-the-flesh of James and, with him a half-brother of the Lord Jesus.[v.1] – not that relationships in the flesh necessarily help.

      He writes saying, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” [v.3]   It is a failure to maintain a clear vision of understanding of the original faith that Jesus and the apostles taught that is a main cause of “stumbling” and conflict among those who claim the name of Christ.

     “Keep yourselves in the love of God,” he tells them, “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  And have mercy on those who doubt …” [v.21,22]

     What causes doubts?  We have the whole of the messages from God to digest: with them we can build up our understanding as a wonderful foundation for a real relationship with our Lord Jesus and the Father “who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” [v.24].  Let us help each other to overcome any doubts.

      We “must remember beloved the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” [v.17] wrote Jude, and the remarkable prophecies of God through Zechariah we will read next week, among many other divinely inspired predictions encourage us to come ever closer to God “who is able to keep (us) from stumbling.”

"HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 19th

"HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE"

     Chapter 23 in Job today is very thought provoking, it spells out Job’s conviction that God is with him despite all that has happened to him. Although the word ‘faith’ is not used the chapter has many verses which can be described as his ‘statement of faith’ in God.

     Job says,  “he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.” [v.10,11]  To this Job adds the declaration, “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” [v.12]   Do we do that?  How many today make a ‘god’ of the food they eat! 

      What  words from the mouth of God were available for Job to treasure?   What was the era in which Job lived?  The few indications that there are show it was early in history, Chapter 1 tells us the Sabeans and Chaldeans (v.15,17) were involved in the tragedies that came upon Job’s family: it is reasonable to conclude he had access to the writings of Moses and he treasured these as God’s inspired word.

     Job says, “God is unchangeable … what he desires, that he does” [v.13] obviously having specific events, such as the deverance from Egypt, in mind – but at the same time Job is able to declare that God “will complete what he has appointed for me.”[v.14] although “I am in dread of him … yet I am not silenced …” [v.15,17].

     The picture is plain. Job is absolutely certain he has a relationship with God and this will lead to some God ordained situation in the future, indeed he has already declared, “I know that my Redeemer lives … and after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God …” [ch.19 v.25,26]

     Job’s statement that God “knows the way that I take” is a challenge to us to have the same realization once we have committed our lives to him through his son in the way made plain in the New Testament, taking on his name in baptism. Yet, we can personally testify, that it is only when one looks back over the pathway travelled does one see how God must have had a hand in “the way that” we took.  Job may have etched the last 2 verses of Moses message recorded in Deuteronomy ch. 30 in his mind. Job was certainly “obeying (God’s) voice and holding fast to him”, as Moses wrote here; let us do the same.  

Today's thought “See what kind of love …” (December 17)

“See what kind of love …”

(December 17)

Our chapter in 1 John 3 today starts with “See what kind of love the father has given to us …” Do we understand what kind of love this is? The word love is used so much today that we may take what it means for granted; and because of this unclear thoughts can develop in our minds as we read God’s word.

Love is a simple, but at the same time, a profound subject and the Apostle John uses it frequently in his Epistles.

He himself is described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7,20). But did not Jesus love them all? Of course he did! But love comes in degrees of intensity; it understandsthe character which is the objective of its love. A mother still loves a naughty child, but there is a different ‘focus’ to that love.

Jesus found it necessary at times to reprove the disciples for their little faith; he rebuked Peter for tempting him to disobey his Father, he chided Thomas for his lack of belief. In contrast, what an example John set! He was prepared to go in and witness the trial of Jesus, although he does not name himself (John 18:15-16) and to stand beside the cross with Mary in her agony as her son agonised to the end: remember how she was told a sword would pierce through her own soul (see Luke 2:35).

All true believers must have a living relationship with Jesus that grows day after day, although there will be times of agony – but that is a factor in causing growth, it was with Job. As in all true relationships, it must grow and blossom and bring forth fruit. John wrote, “you know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or knows him” (1 John 3:5,6). That means – seen him with the eye of faith – so those who fail to become more and more like Jesus have never really known him which is what John means when he says such have not “seen him”.

Note Paul’s question, “Examine yourselves to see whether … Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Now ‘see’ John’s most meaningful words, “let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” (verse 18). Our actions prove whether we mean what we say!

In the next chapter John writes, “… if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfectedin us … we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected in us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement … there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (4:12,16-18).

Yes, John’s words lead us to see “what kind of love” God and his Son have shown to us. And our response?

"BE STRONG" Thoughts from Today's Bible readings - Dec 18th by David Caudery

“BE STRONG”

     Zerubbabel is the “governor of Judah” at the time Haggai uttered his prophecy, the prophet is contemporary to Ezra and Nehemiah and there are dozens of references to him in their books – and Haggai, whose 2 chapter prophecy we read today, is referred to by Ezra (5 v,1 & 6 v,14) as being “the prophet” who was present.

     Haggai is sent by the LORD to try to strengthen the will of the people in rebuilding the temple. There is not enough zeal among the people to get on with the work of completing the rebuilding.  The prophet says, “Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now?  Is it not as nothing in your eyes?” [2 v.3]

     What is the reason for this?  A lack of vision?  A spiritual lack of vision has always been really serious. The prophet rebukes them for their lack of endeavor, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? … Consider your ways!” [1 v.4,5]

     In today’s language we could say, ‘Consider your priorities in the way you use your time and spend your money!   We noted particularly what God then says through the prophet, “my house … lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house” [v9]

     Then the prophet is inspired to develop a ‘strong’ message to the leaders and the people, we read, “Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD.  Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  Be strong, all you people of the land declares the LORD.  Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts” [2 v.4]

      A parallel message for followers of Christ is emphasized in the New Testament, “,,,be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” Paul tells Timothy (2 Tim. 2 v.1).  Last week we read Peter’s words in his first letter telling believers, “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God … “ [1 Pet. 2 v.5]

       Finally, we see how Haggai is given a picture of the ultimate time, a time which has a far greater temple!  We appear to be on the brink of this time!  “I will shake all nations,” the LORD tells him, “so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory … the latter glory of this house shall be greater …. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.” [2 v.7,9]

      Let us all be strong in the ways the LORD sees true strength, for we have ‘the wonder of his grace’ – noting the words of Paul as he brings his first letter to the Corinthians to its climax, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” [v.13] 

Today's thought “See what kind of love …” (December 17)

Our chapter in 1 John 3 today starts with “See what kind of love the father has given to us …” Do we understand what kind of love this is? The word love is used so much today that we may take what it means for granted; and because of this unclear thoughts can develop in our minds as we read God’s word.

Love is a simple, but at the same time, a profound subject and the Apostle John uses it frequently in his Epistles.

He himself is described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7,20). But did not Jesus love them all? Of course he did! But love comes in degrees of intensity; it understandsthe character which is the objective of its love. A mother still loves a naughty child, but there is a different ‘focus’ to that love.

Jesus found it necessary at times to reprove the disciples for their little faith; he rebuked Peter for tempting him to disobey his Father, he chided Thomas for his lack of belief. In contrast, what an example John set! He was prepared to go in and witness the trial of Jesus, although he does not name himself (John 18:15-16) and to stand beside the cross with Mary in her agony as her son agonised to the end: remember how she was told a sword would pierce through her own soul (see Luke 2:35).

All true believers must have a living relationship with Jesus that grows day after day, although there will be times of agony – but that is a factor in causing growth, it was with Job. As in all true relationships, it must grow and blossom and bring forth fruit. John wrote, “you know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or knows him” (1 John 3:5,6). That means – seen him with the eye of faith – so those who fail to become more and more like Jesus have never really known him which is what John means when he says such have not “seen him”.

Note Paul’s question, “Examine yourselves to see whether … Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Now ‘see’ John’s most meaningful words, “let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” (verse 18). Our actions prove whether we mean what we say!

In the next chapter John writes, “… if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfectedin us … we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected in us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement … there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (4:12,16-18).

Yes, John’s words lead us to see “what kind of love” God and his Son have shown to us. And our response?

"FOR MY DECISION IS ..." Thoughts for today's Bible Readings - 17/12/13

“FOR MY DECISION IS …”

     Today we completed reading the lesser known – but quite remarkable prophecy God gave through Zephaniah.  Yesterday’s chapter 2 was personal and challenging.  “Seek the LORD, all you humble … who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.” [v.3] 

     Today we read about the day of his anger:  the climax of human history when God finally carries out his “decision” to deal with human godlessness, It is a time when “the unjust knows no shame” [v.5].  Surely that is the case today.

     Verse 8 leaps out and into the mind of the godly reader, “Therefore wait for me,’ declares the LORD, ‘for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.”  

      Then the next verse dramatically changes the picture to what God does after this!  “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.”  How much is language twisted in its use today!  Many think this verse is telling us, in saying that “all of them” that call upon the Lord have this language, that the curse of Babel is to be removed when God confounded human speech so they could not understand one another.  It is interesting that the previous time this Hebrew word occurs is in the concluding words in the last chapter of Daniel: “… the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined …” [v9, 10]   

      Very soon we will read of the wonder of this time in the book of Revelation, this reveals more details to us of the ultimate decision of the great Creator in making the whole world full of his glory – and the dramas in the process!.

       In our reading in 1 John we are challenged to “see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us  is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” [ch.3 v.1-3]

       Have you said – from your heart – “… my decision is ….”  Or will you soon say it?    We all have to make a decision … there is no middle way.  Oh the wonder awaiting “those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with …” that at the apostles - as we read and reflected on in John’s words yesterday.  If you have made a decision – the challenge is – is your faith growing stronger and stronger? .

"ABIDE IN HIM SO THAT WHEN ... " Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 16th

"ABIDE IN HIM SO THAT WHEN ..."                                                                                                             

    ‘Abide’ is a word we rarely use in conversation, but it was a special word in the mouth of Jesus (see John 12 v.46; 15 v.4,10).  His youngest disciple particularly embraced this word; it implies a permanent loyalty. Remember how John stood by the cross with the mother of Jesus (John 19 v.26,27) and then took care of Mary.

    Today we started reading John’s letters – what a powerful lot of lessons they contain!  John employs the word ‘abide’ and we meditated on the sense of permanency this word conveys. You do not just come for a visit and stay awhile but you abide in some situation permanently. As a result you also have ‘fellowship’ (another special word) permanently.

    John makes the point, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” [1 John 1 v.6].  He says “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” [v.3].  Fellowship is a relationship among those who are fellows together in the same ship going on a lifelong voyage, therefore it is an abiding relationship - with Christ as the Captain.

    When we know God’s word we show we really know it by keeping it.  But what does keeping it involve?  John writes, “whoever keeps his word, in him (or her) truly the love of God is perfected.  By this we may be sure we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” [2 v.5,6]

    John’s world, like our world, was falling apart and he wrote, “the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” [v.17]   Note how he says “doesthe will of God”, it is not enough to know it.   Finally, how thought provoking are the words at the end of his second chapter, “little children abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.  If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.”   

     Let us practice at practicing righteousness every day.

"TO THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED ... " Bible Reading Thoughts for 15th Dec

  The marvel is – that although one has read the Bible over a great number of years one still comes across things one has not really taken notice of before.  The opening words of Peter’s second epistle caught our attention “to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours.”  The point does not stand out so much in the AV as the ESV.

     How great was Peter’s faith now – as he reflects back on his life’s experiences.   In v.16-18 he reflects on the incredible experience on the mountain when his Master was transfigured before him and 2 fellow disciples; he declares, “we were eye witnesses of his majesty.”  Yet we know that not long after, in the panic that followed his Master’s arrest, Peter’s faith collapsed.

    Faith is a quality that is proved by actions as we saw emphasized by James in his epistle. Those who are not conscious of the need to develop a real active faith, would not be impressed by the urgency of the words of Peter in his second epistle.  He writes, “You …having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire … make every effort to supplement your faith with …” [1 v.4,5] and there follows a list of the qualities of character which enable faith to grow.   Have a look at them! Then he says, ”IF these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful….” [v.8]  Unfruitful in what?

    Do we appreciate the point here? Peter writes of the danger of being “unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”  But he is not talking about intellectual knowledge.  The Gk word here isepignosis and Paul uses it in Romans 1 v.28 “and since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind …”  

    Peter uses it again in his 2^nd chapter, expressing his dismay that there is no growth in their awareness of God’s presence and oversight of their lives. He writes (v.20), “For IF, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” (See also the next verse!)

     Peter is referring to what we might term ‘heart knowledge’ as distinct from ‘head knowledge.’  Both are essential, but, dare we say, ‘head knowledge’ is easier! 

     But do not miss the point Peter makes in v.9 – what the failure of ‘heart knowledge’ causes!  Such a person “is so nearsighted that he (or she) is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore brothers (and sisters) be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for IF you practice these qualities you will never fall.” Then our faith will have some comparison to Peter’s and v.11 will be true for you as it will be for him. Read it!  

"IF THESE QUALITIES ARE YOURS" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 14th

    Ah, that little word – “IF” again!  Our quotation above is from today’s readings in 2nd Peter, chapters 1 & 2  This is Peter’s final message as he realises he is soon to die.  He sees much evil growing and false believers coming to the fore who “promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption.  For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For IF, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first” [2 v.19,20]

    What is the false promise of freedom?  A glaring example today is the slogan in some churches, ‘Once saved, always saved.’  This unBiblical interpretation astonishes those who know their Bibles!   Can it be that after you are initially ‘saved’ – and in the First Century this meant you showed this by being baptised into water – was it then that ‘grace’ covered all your future sins regardless?  A remarkable kind of freedom!   

    Now take careful notice of Peter’s powerful words in his first chapter.  He tells his readers that he and they have been “granted … all things that pertain to life” and “having escaped the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire … (therefore) make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful …” [1 v.3-8] 

      It is helpful to look at other versions to get the fullest meaning behind some of these qualities.   Some Greek words cannot be effectively translated by one English word. For e.g virtue has been rendered as integrity and knowledge can be the act of knowing, in the sense of having a relationship, as we will see in Job shortly.  Finally, note v.10.   “Therefore brothers (and sisters) be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for IF you practice these qualities you will never fail”    Let us make real progress in making sure we “never fail.”

"IMPERISHABLE BEAUTY" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 13th

“IMPERISHABLE BEAUTY” 

     We all love beautiful things, but what one person sees as beautiful another does not. The saying is that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’   Our thoughts rotated around this subject as we came across the phrase, “imperishable beauty” in ch. 3 of Peter’s 1^st Epistle.

     What beauty is “imperishable” – that is, cannot be destroyed?  There are many beautiful flowers in our garden at the moment – but they will fade away – and some already have. But Peter is not writing of flowers, he is writing of the influence wives can and should have on their husbands and others; there is beauty, as God sees beauty, in a holy character.

     Peter tells them, “Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with theimperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” [v.3,4] This is not what the world counts as “very precious” – but God does!  Surely the same spirit is expected of those who are not yet married, or who are now widowed,

     It is a beauty which cannot perish!  May all develop it and portray real “beauty” in the sight of God. Husbands must clearly see their role, noting Peter’s counsel, “live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honour to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” [v.7]  Think about this from God’s perspective – how many prayers are “hindered”?

     Women are usually physically “weaker” than men but there are many occasions, it seems to us, that they are stronger in other ways – consider how strong the mother of Jesus became, a strength obviously developed from her deep awareness of God’s words  which she evidently she brought into the words she used in magnifying the Lord (look at Luke 1 v.46-55)

     Peter ends his Epistle with some further challenging points addressed to all believers, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” [ch.5 v.6,7]  Even so, let us care for each other, and let us admire the “imperishable beauty” we see the sisters have developed or are developing, all learning “to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” [ch. 4 v.10] .