Resource Manager Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 01 April 2016 Numbers 15Proverbs 11Luke 24 "DID NOT OUR HEARTS BURN" What is a burning heart? When our minds are set on ‘fire’ by news of some dramatic event, especially if it affects us – then our hearts “burn”. Maybe you have not had such an experience – but when I was young I remember the ‘fire’ in the discussions among the brethren and sisters when there was war in the Holy Land and the nation of Israel was reborn after almost 1900 years in extinction! Hearts were on ‘fire’ then because this is what the Scriptures had predicted! We read earlier this week the words of Jesus in Luke 21:24. that “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." In 1948/67 this became evident to the whole world, but only those who knew God's word had "hearts" that did "burn" because they knew Jesus also said, "when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." [Luke 21:28] The whole world is presently aware of the ongoing conflicts north of Jerusalem and Israel, but how few are aware of their potential significance and coming events will make their/our "hearts burn"! Our thoughts on this were provoked by Luke 24:32 in today's last chapter in Luke's gospel. The resurrection of Jesus had just taken place - and news/rumours of this were spreading among the disciples. "Two of them," [Luke 24:13] "were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened." An unrecognised Jesus joined them - and after hearing their account of events said, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." [Luke 24:25-27] They get to their destination and persuade the unrecognised stranger to join them for a meal - and when "he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, (his hands). And he vanished ..." [Luke 24:30-31] Despite the lateness of the day " they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem" and "they said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" [Luke 24:32-33] We anticipate the potential for our hearts to burn within us as events in and around Israel unfold (how soon?) and we witness more prophecy fulfilling and suddenly realize it is "midnight" on the prophetic time clock - and remember the words of Jesus, "at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'" [Matthew 25:6] -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 02 April 2016 Numbers 16 Proverbs 12 Galatians 1; 2 "IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE" What heart felt meditations are prompted by the out-pouring of Paul’s heart in his letter to the Galatians which we started reading today!? What is the complete foundation on which our faith is built? Part of the foundation is the correct understanding of God’s word: but we must read it with, what we should call, a ‘heart-searching’ mind to make sure we grasp its’ true and full meaning: to simply develop an intellectual understanding is quite inadequate. O yes, this is important, vital in fact, but if that is all it is – isn’t it like standing on ‘one leg’ – and looking for crutches to keep us upright!? . Paul told the Galatians, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you to the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ.” [Galatians 1:6-7] We notice the word “grace” – the full meaning and application of which is outside the concept of an intellectual understanding. Paul is emphatic as to how important it is that the original gospel is maintained. He adds, “… Even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” [Galatians 1:8] The potential for some to corrupt the original gospel is a fundamental reason why we need to constantly read God’s word every day – so that the original message becomes fully integrated into our thinking. Along with this is a full appreciation of the “Grace … and peace…” [Galatians 1:3] – meaningful words which Paul uses at the start of all his letters. Why do some turn away from that which is true? There is an interesting example in the chapter we read today in Numbers. Numbers 16 tells us how some of the Levites challenged the leadership of Moses saying to him; “you have gone too far! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves …". Added to this is their complaint is, “you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards.” [Numbers 16:14] Their minds were focussed on positions of prestige and material rewards, but such will only come in God’s good time – in his kingdom. They had a false impression of what it is – in God’s sight – to be holy. We are reminded of the principle spelled out in a verse in Hebrews “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”. [Hebrews 12:14] Turning to Galatians again, there is one key verse that we do well to memorise, for it sums up both Paul’s and Moses’ attitude to things divine. “I have been crucified with Christ,” writes Paul, ”It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [Galatians 2:20] Finally let us meditate on what Paul told the Thessalonians, that “I … give you an example to imitate” [2 Thessalonians 3:9] let us do that in our relations with each other – showing that ‘Christ lives in us.’ -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 03 April 2016 Numbers 17; 18 Proverbs 13 Galatians 3; 4 "MY LITTLE CHILDREN …" Paul in writing to the Galatians asks, "Who has bewitched you" [Galatians 3:1] because many had been persuaded to follow the observances of the law. We commented on this yesterday and the seriousness of this is emphasized because today we are reading more about this problem. But is the issue relevant to us today? The celebration of Easter provoked our thoughts on this for we read of Paul's complaint to them, "You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have laboured over you in vain' [Galatians 4:10,11] What was wrong in observing days, etc? Quite apart from the fact it was no longer commanded, it did not bring a sense of humility, instead it often created pride, 'Look how holy I am because of what I do!" "The Law", with all its rules, Paul writes, "was our guardian until Christ came … but now faith has come we are no longer under a guardian … as many of you as were baptised into Christ, have put on Christ." [Galatians 3:24,27] The Law had been fulfilled; all the sacrifices have come to their completion and fulfilment by the sacrifice of Christ. No more observing of feasts, Easter was never instituted by the followers of Christ. There is only one way to commemorate the death of Christ, that is to break bread and drink wine. The Church calls this the eucharist, but there is no specific day commanded in relation to doing this! To begin with they did it every day! [Acts 2:42-46] Paul wrote most urgently that this had to be done with the right attitude. (read 1 Corinthians 11:17 onwards) What mattered above all was the birth of the spirit of Christ in their hearts! Note his impassioned plea – "my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ be formed in you" [Galatians 4:19] They had been born anew into Christ at their baptism, but had been "bewitched" by false teaching, now they needed a rebirth back to that which was true – and Paul was in anguish for that to happen – and that is the urgency of his letter! Is there not the same urgency today?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 04 April 2016 Numbers 19Proverbs 14Galatians 5; 6 "… IN A SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS" There is little, and maybe no “gentleness” in today’s godless world! We saw, as we completed reading Paul’s letter to the Galatians, that, after listing “the works of the flesh” [Galatians 5:19-21] and warning that all who continued to practice any of them "will not inherit the kingdom of God." [Galatians 5:21] that Paul lists, in place of these "works," writing to the largely Gentile believers in Galatia, "the fruit of the Spirit" [Galatians 5:22]. These were vitally necessary as a replacement – our minds cannot operate in a vacuum. These "fruits" are all aspects of a Christ-like character. Let us highlight the word "fruit". Real "fruit" of this nature is only genuinely developed by those whose hearts fully desire a Christ-like character. In seeking to do so, their consciences readily recognise anything that falls short of genuine “fruit.”. "Love" gets mentioned first, it is the sum total of all the aspects of such fruit which are "joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness" and "self-control." Paul then observes that "against such things there is no law." This means, there is no need for "laws" when all this fruit is produced – and surely this will be the case with the "saints" in the kingdom! This is a wonderful experience – in prospect – let us take time to meditate upon this! Then we will feel even more ‘inspired’ – if that is possible - to desire the kingdom to come! This year? When we come to Galatians 6 Paul directs our thoughts on the way "anyone (who) is caught in any transgression" that "you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." [Galatians 6:1] 'Natural' human nature would not use "a spirit of gentleness" - and the failure to do so, often demonstrates that the person "thinks he is something, when he is nothing” and therefore “he deceives himself." [Galatians 6:3] We are only "something" when "the God of peace", as we read in Hebrews, is "working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." [Hebrews 13:21] May we all feel that the "God of peace" is "working in us" today to produce "a spirit of gentleness" that "is pleasing in his sight." -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 05 April 2016 Numbers 20; 21Proverbs 15Ephesians 1; 2 “MADE US ALIVE” Do you feel you have been "made ... alive"? Or do you sense the need to be so “made”? We started reading Paul's letter to the Ephesians today: it needs to be read carefully, thoroughly, because it is 'rich' with a personal message for us. We learn of "the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe" [Ephesians 1:19] Can we sense this "power"? It is not "power" as humans think of it. We note Paul's next words that this 'power' is "according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand..." [Ephesians 1:20] What remarkable "power" accomplished that! Divine power! How soon now before this is again in evidence to an utterly astonished, indeed, bewildered world! Paul tells the Ephesians that "God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ ..." [Ephesians 2:4-5] This is expressed in the present tense – it is the situation now! We meditate further on the phrase, "made us alive"! We see several meanings - that he "made us alive" to all that life really means, when today, more than ever, the world is blind - nearly all people thinking (if they think at all) that life is meaningless - it just evolved by pure chance! Paul then unfolds another vital point – our situation now! That it is "by grace you have been saved” and God has “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace ..." [Ephesians 2:6-7] In that age (how soon now?) we will be "made ... alive" to see life as God and His Son see life. As our 'minds open' - seeking to embrace this ‘vision’ to an ever greater degree, we learn to more fully appreciate the "immeasurable" wonder of it all. We become more and more "alive" to the fact that this is all God's doing - and all who have sought to have "the eyes of” their “hearts enlightened"- more fully "know what is the hope to which he has called (them)" and ‘see’ more clearly "the riches of his glorious inheritance" [Ephesians 1:18]. The sight of this overwhelms us! But this ‘sight’ becomes ever clearer to those who use the "eyes" that their "hearts" have developed. Let us all constantly feed on His word - and really digest it - so that we are "made .. alive" today and every day" until we are physically with Christ." How “alive” do you feel today?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 06 April 2016 Numbers 22; 23Proverbs 16Ephesians 3; 4 "HE WHO RULES HIS SPIRIT" What a fascinating and thought challenging set of readings we have today. Firstly we read of Balaam, a mysterious prophet who is not an Israelite, but who has knowledge and contact with the true God. Balaam declares to Balak, an idol worshipper, who had “sent messengers to” him [Numbers 22:4] that the true “God is not man, that he should lie, or ... that he should change his mind ... Has he said, and will he not do it? .... will he not fulfil it?" [Numbers 23:19] The lessons of history testify to the truth of this in many nations and different situations. However, as events unfold we see how Balaam is torn between his contact with the true God and knowledge of his will - and his own desire to receive honour (and money!) from an earthly ruler, Balak. This is a valuable lesson for all who have a relationship with God through his word and are seeking to do their best to do his will. The end of Proverbs 16 extols the need to be "slow to anger” and that this “is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” [Proverbs 16:32] Solomon first states, "Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it" [Proverbs 16:22]. God's word is the primary source for this for us and of becoming genuinely "wise!" The next verses advise - "The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body" And surely to our minds! Are we fully experiencing this? Then we come to Ephesians where Paul reminds them of the hopelessness of their "former manner of life" and how it was "corrupt through deceitful desires" [Ephesians 4:22] We see this "manner of life" all around us today. How few 'rule' their 'spirit, ruling and guiding the way they think – for this causes the ways they act! So few are aware that there is a God, let alone have a genuine day by day relationship with him, the foundation of which is their reading and meditation on his word. Let us be among those few – trying, with the utmost sincerity to "rule" our "spirit" - following the counsel Paul gave to the Ephesians "to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." [Ephesians 4:23-24]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 07 April 2016 Numbers 24; 25Proverbs 17Ephesians 5; 6 “LOOK CAREFULLY” Do not we always “look carefully”? We certainly do when we are crossing a road and there is traffic around! The world around us is – more than ever – a highway of godlessness! How do we cope with this highway if we have to go along it or cross it for some purpose – indeed, for many of us this is a regular challenge! So let us “not grow weary in doing good” [2 Thessalonians 3:13] especially in the times we have to ‘travel’ on the highway of godlessness. Surely it is not impossible to set some we travel with at least some example? We meditate on Paul's counsel to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time." [Colossians 4:5] Our thoughts travelled along these lines as we read Ephesians 5 today. Paul warned them to " Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness ... it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret." [Ephesians 5:11-12] Ephesians 5:15-16 should be our motto for today (and all future days) "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." We should indulge in intense heart searching as to how well we are following these inspired words of Paul – making sure they are inspiring us each day. Many parts of God's word are a powerful source of advice for heart felt 'inspiration' to "look carefully” at all the paths we are thinking of walking along - as well as the ones it appears to be necessary to walk along. It is more vital than ever to possess "the wisdom that comes down from above ...” Wisdom which “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." This wisdom leads to " a harvest of righteousness" [James 3:17-18] A final thought on "making the best use of the time” is to recall what we read 3 days ago in Galatians; “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." [Galatians 5:24] and we show we have done this when we "look carefully" at the ‘direction’ we ‘walk’ and how we use our time every day. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 08 April 2016 Numbers 26Proverbs 18Philippians 1; 2 "AND SO BE PURE AND BLAMELESS" Today we started reading Paul's letter to the Philippians; it is the most positive of all his letters, he tells them that "I hold you in my heart" and that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6-7] How warm hearted is his attitude toward them, he tells them, "I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment ..." [Philippians 1:8-9] What a positive and encouraging prayer - may we be able to pray for each other with the same words and in the same spirit! If that is genuinely the case then we will take to heart Paul's next words as a particular example to us of how we should pray for one another! Paul prays "that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ" [Philippians 1:10] - and - as a result be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." [Philippians 1:11] We should let this commendation of Paul 'dwell' and then sink into our hearts - how wonderful if we can be found to be "pure and blameless" when our Master returns. Some talk so much about "grace" and how much they need it, that one wonders whether they make any serious effort to live so that they develop a character that is more and more like Christ? When we come to Philippians 1:27 we see how Paul exhorts them to "let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ" that "whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything ..." If we are truly "standing firm ... and so be pure and blameless" we will not be "frightened in anything" as our world falls more and more into disarray and godlessness - as the return of our Lord reaches a point where we sense he is really "at the door." This prompts us to think of James' warning in his epistle, " Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door." [James 5:9]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 09 April 2016 Numbers 27Proverbs 19Philippians 3; 4 "THE DAY OF THE LORD ..." We live in a world in which most of us are bombarded by information on all sorts of things, these include persuasive messages to spend money in acquiring or doing this or that allegedly desirable thing. Very little, if any of this is of value in leading us toward greater spirituality: indeed, more often than not it will lead us in the opposite direction. Our thoughts followed along these lines as we read Paul’s words of thanksgiving and encouragement to the Philippians. Paul said, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13 onwards) It is impossible, except for the elderly in a home, to ‘forget’ the world! The difficulty to “press forward” has never been greater! Paul continues, “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” What have you attained? What a challenge this world is for those just starting or about to start on the pathway to attain heavenly citizenship. Paul laments about those whose “minds are set on earthly things” [Philippians 3:19] His next words are powerful, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body …” Politicians are clamouring with ‘puffery’ words to get us to vote for them, but we have the. only true citizenship – and just one candidate – and we wait for him to take his power and reign. Let us fix our eyes on him as “the sea and the waves” of the 21st Century foam and roar and there is “distress of nations in perplexity” [Luke 21:25] With Christ in the vessel we will smile at the storm! But what of those who are not mature? Let us cull some words from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 5. “ … the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night … let us keep awake … we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith … encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all … pray without ceasing … may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” [1 Thessalonians 5:2,6,8,14,17,23,24] Those “who are mature” today have a great responsibility.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 10 April 2016 Numbers 28Proverbs 20John 1 “EVEN A CHILD” We read today in Proverbs that “even a child makes himself known by his acts” [Proverbs 20:11], adding, “whether his conduct is pure and upright.” It is saying that what we actually do – proves what we really are - far more than by what we say. It is also said that we teach by example, more than words, thus Proverbs 20:7 tells us, “The righteous walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him”. They have been taught by example and often children are more transparent in their actions than adults. Another interesting proverb is “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” [Proverbs 20:5] This proverb causes us to ask – do we fully consider our purpose in doing something? If we really are a person who considers our ways, thinking carefully about all our intentions, then we will “draw it out” – like one drawing water from a well – but this takes time and effort. Of course when the Bible uses the word ‘man’ it usually means all human beings, unless the context makes it clear it means a male. It draws no distinction between boys or girls, “even a child” obviously means both! Finally, Proverbs 20:6 is very interesting, ponder what it means. “Many a man (person) proclaims his (or her) own steadfast love, but a faithful man (person) who can find?” It is warning us, that so often what we say, what we declare to be our motives, is in many cases, not entirely correct; although it may not be a real lie, because there is an element of truth in it. How often do we say things “with reservation?” I have known statements to be made, and agreement to be requested on others “without reservation.” This is sad, it means we are acknowledging that so often we say things, not fully meaning them, or fully committed to them. This should not be so among those who are training to become children of God (read Romans 8:17) with their destiny in his wondrous kingdom. Do fully faithful, truthful people exist? We started by meditating on the artlessness usually seen in children. If we start – and continue - when we are children trying to do this, there is a better chance of us being found to be that kind of person when we are grown up. The sad thing seen so much today is that adults set their children a bad example and “even a child” fails to at least start by walking on God’s narrow way because of this, let us make sure we do not fail in that way. And if we live in circumstances where some children call us ‘Auntie’ or ‘Uncle’ then let us encourage them – with actions supporting our words – to walk with us along God’s narrow way. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 11 April 2016 Numbers 29; 30Proverbs 21John 2; 3 "IS CONDEMNED ALREADY" We read some thought challenging chapters today. In Numbers 28; 29 we read the details of all the offerings that "The LORD spoke to Moses" [Numbers 28:1-2] in telling him to teach them to the people that, when they entered the promised land, their worship and service was to revolve around these. In Proverbs 21 we read that "the upright gives thought to his ways" and that "No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD." [Proverbs 21:29-30] It is plain that those who desire to be seen by the LORD as "upright" make sure that they do this - but so few do this today in our increasingly godless world: instead it is full of "wisdom that ... is earthly, unspiritual, demonic" - in contrast to the "wisdom that comes down from above" [James 3:15] – a wisdom that is only found in God's word. Now, turning to John's gospel we have some particularly inspiring words for those whose desire to be "upright." In John 3 we read oft quoted words in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." How many genuinely believe? Belief is shown by actions - what it causes you to do! Jesus said, "whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he (or she) has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." [John 3:18] Notice how the word 'name' is used by Jesus - let us realize its' significance! In the Old Testament we read how the prophet Daniel said to God that in doing "signs and wonders in the land of Egypt ... (you) made a name for yourself" [Daniel 9:15] Jeremiah [Jeremiah 32:20] and Nehemiah [Nehemiah 9:10] made the same statements. The Israelites in Egypt learnt through the miracles occurring in their deliverance to really believe in their God - in contrast to the gods of imagination of the Egyptian. Today, humans know more and more of the wonders of life on earth, of nature - and the ecology that works together to make life function in a wonderful way: foolishly they believe in the 'god' of chance – that it has all happened by accident! How solemn and ominous are the words we read today, "whoever does not believe is condemned already" A final thought! True belief in God and his Son, involves a life of commitment – to the narrow way – to reach our promised land – God’s kingdom established on earth [Matthew 5:5] This has its' challenges "but" wrote Paul, " when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." [1 Corinthians 11:32] To this we can add the words of John in his first letter [1 John 2:17] "the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. There is no middle way, sadly, anyone who thinks there is "is condemned already" and will not be among those who “shall inherit the earth” [Matthew 5:5]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 12 April 2016 Numbers 31Proverbs 22John 4 "IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH" We read today in John 4 of the time Jesus spent in Samaria - they had to pass through Samaria as they travelled from Jerusalem to Galilee - unless they went the long way by going down into the Jordan valley. The Samaritans were not Jews, they had been brought by the Assyrians to replace the northern tribes they had taken into captivity - as we read in 2 Kings 17:24. "The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities." These people, 2 Kings 17:32 tells us, served their own gods but "also feared the LORD and appointed from among themselves all sorts of people as priests." After Jesus ascended to heaven, the preaching of his message was at first centred on Samaria after Stephen was stoned to death [Acts 8:5,14). What particularly attracted our interest in today's chapter are the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman that you will not need to go to "this mountain nor in Jerusalem" to "worship the Father" [John 4:21] "But" said Jesus, it will be a time "when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." [John 4:23] When the Temple was destroyed in AD 70 - as Jesus predicted and – “there (was) not … left … one stone upon another..." [Mark 13: 2] - then the Jews had nowhere to go - to worship. But their worship had largely become a ritual! The situation is a warning to us - but 'christian' history over the centuries shows it has largely been unheeded. Human nature is such that many people like to have objects, such as crucifixes' to – after a fashion - worship. Jesus tells the woman, "True worshippers" worship "in spirit and truth." Neither God nor Jesus can be made into idols - it is folly to make ‘images' of Jesus. John 4:24 in John repeats the point - for emphasis - "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." This is worship in and from our hearts - regardless of where we happen to be - although it is far better in personal worship, to do as Jesus said, "when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." [Matthew 6:6] -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 13 April 2016 Numbers 32Proverbs 23John 5 "YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD WITHIN YOU" Who did Jesus say the above words to – and why? The detail of the discussions of Jesus in the Gospel of John make challenging reading because they provoke us to think very deeply. This is a special benefit of the Apostle’s possession of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, for John later tells us that Jesus had said that the Spirit “will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” [John 14:26] In today’s chapter, John 5, Jesus encounters the Jews in the temple. They appeared, to some extent, to be seeking - but at the same time their opposition to him was starting to build up, they were increasingly envious of his popularity. Jesus reminds them of their attitude and interest in John the Baptist. “You sent to John … He was a burning and a shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” [John 5:33,35] In our world today, we have seen those who are pleased and “happy” to believe in Christ – “for a while” – but then the lack of substance and depth in what they believe sees their belief start to fade into the distance. The Jews were looking for the Messiah; “the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John” [Luke 3:15] These Jews went for that reason, but they did not really know what they were looking for, they had read the Scriptures with one eye closed! Does that happen today! Did they really believe in Jesus, especially that he was the ‘Son of God? Today, many still believe there is a God, but if you say, ‘Do you believe IN God?’ what do they say? Many do not really know what you mean! Jesus words’ to these Jews provoke us to meditate on this most vital question. We read how Jesus tells them, “His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you”. [John 5:37-38] God’s word must “abide” – must come alive in our minds. Now comes the climax to the Master’s words! “I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” [John 5:42] Their attitude proved this, Jesus had said, “you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory (honour) from people.” [John 5:41-42] Let’s make sure we see the meaning of that last comment? Their minds were centred on the here and now, human relationships and the potential for personal prestige; this is why the love of God was not within them. It was tragic really – and tragedy followed for them! And for us? We must genuinely ask ourselves – ‘Is the love of God really within us?’ If the answer is ‘Yes’ – we have a wonderful foundation on which to build and complete our lives. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 14 April 2016 Numbers 33Proverbs 24John 6 "... WILL LIVE BECAUSE OF ME" The chapters we have been reading in Numbers spell out the details of the 40 year journey through the wilderness to “the promised land” and the challenges they would face in the land.. There would be the need to "destroy all their figured stones and destroy ... and demolish ..." them. [Numbers 33:52]. This causes us to ponder what enormous challenges there will be to make changes when Jesus returns. How can God’s “glory be over all the earth!" [Psalm 57:5,11] unless this happens? It cannot! Our Proverbs chapter tells us, "the devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind." [Proverbs 24:9] Our world today, more than ever, is full of "folly" and things which are an abomination to God. When Christ returns - what then!? We pray that, to at least some degree, the prophecy in Isaiah 55:7 will operate; "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." However, seeing that so many scoff at the very possibility there is a Creator - what a challenge it will be for "the wicked to forsake his way." In our chapter, John 6, after recording the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 Jesus says, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger ..." [John 6:35] What kind of hunger? What kind of life? Jesus further says, "whoever believes in me shall never thirst." [John 6:35] Only those who are genuinely seeking a relationship with him - from their hearts - grasp what he means. What kind of thirst? Jesus tells them, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' [John 6:37-38] What does he mean? Those who know the prophets, especially Isaiah, would know! Isaiah 12 starts, "You will say in that day... the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." This is beautiful parabolic language. Back in John 6 we recall how Jesus tells them to “work for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you." [John 6:27] To them Jesus says, “this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." [John 6:40]. We need to “feed” our minds on Jesus’ words – making them part of our thinking. In John 4:34 we read, how “Jesus said … My food is to do the will of him who sent me” Let us do the same – feeding our minds on God’s word every day – and we will be among those of whom Jesus said they "will live because of me." [John 6:57] -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 15 April 2016 Numbers 34Proverbs 25John 7 "IF ANYONE'S WILL IS TO DO GOD'S WILL" Our chapter in Proverbs [Proverbs 25] starts, It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." [Proverbs 25:2] Surely this is a challenge to those who (from their hearts) seek a relationship with God. This begins by being baptised into the name of His Son, an action which brings them into a wonderful and close relationship with the divine! We therefore should, indeed MUST, search out what God has concealed - this is the challenge to us as we read, absorb and meditate on the Scriptures God has caused to be written and preserved - and which are now largely translated into all languages. In reading the Proverbs we see them as a "mine" from which Jesus extracted and developed several of his parables. Today in John 7 is an outstanding example of scripture that challenges us in the way we live our lives. We read how "about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching." [John 7:14] He makes a particularly challenging statement, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God ..." [John 7:17] Jesus then makes a point about the purpose people have in teaching. The religious leaders did so to strengthen their own authority before the people - but Jesus said, "the one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood." [John 7:18] Jesus tells those who are challenging him to "judge with right judgment." Instead of judging "by appearances" [John 7:24] Let us make sure we "judge with right judgment" searching God's word diligently and sincerely, comparing Scripture with Scripture. Remember how the disciples on the road to Emmaus said "Did not our hearts burn within us while he (Jesus) ... opened to us the Scriptures?" [Luke 24:32] Paul in Thessalonica, "reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead ..." [Acts 17:2-3] This would be, of course, the Old Testament scriptures, sadly so many neglect these today. May it be our "will to do God's will" and, as we will read in John 8 tomorrow, follow in the footsteps of Jesus as genuine heart-committed disciples, who say, with Jesus, "I do know him (God) and I keep his word." [John 8:55]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 16 April 2016 Numbers 35Proverbs 26John 8 "ABIDE IN MY WORD" In todays’ chapter in John’s gospel, John 8, is one of the most heart challenging chapters in the Bible. When we come to John 16 we must take notice of how Jesus tells his disciples, “I have said these things to you, that ... you may remember that I told them to you." [John 16:4] - then in John 16:13, we specially note his added promise, "When the Spirit of truth comes" this spirit "will guide you into all the truth..." John in particular was inspired to write out, in detail, “all the truth” – we must make sure we look into it every day - using it to guide us in our lives so that we can ‘see’ in this worlds’ ‘darkness.’ Today's chapter describes how Jesus challenges his hearers: "unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." [John 8:24] He had just told them, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." [John 8:19] To "know" in the sense that Jesus means here, is to develop a relationship. When we come to John 10 we will see the simple – but challenging words of Jesus - "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also, just as the Father knows me ..." [John 10:14-15] Those who truly "know" Jesus respond to his appeal to "abide in my word ..." [John 8:31]. True disciples, says Jesus, "know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [John 8:32] This saying provokes an intense discussion - and challenging comments by Jesus, "Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word." [John 8:43] Of course, they 'heard'! But they were not "of God." Jesus bluntly says, "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." [John 8:47] Has it not be the same ever since! People read the sayings of Jesus and the later writings of his followers looking for confirmation of what they want to believe, such as going to heaven when they die. This is a tragedy - caused by a failure to embrace in their hearts and mind what Jesus actually said - and his disciples later wrote. How thought challenging are these words of Jesus! "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." [John 8:51] Those who truly believe and "keep" the words of Jesus - although they may "sleep" (which is what Jesus said of Lazarus - John 11:11) – they experience a timeless sleep until the resurrection [John 11:24-25]. Will they not – on the resurrection morn – think they have just had a brief sleep! "If you (and I) abide in (his) word." We will, with that ‘abiding’, live lives that are a rewarding day after day experience – but we must make sure we truly “abide in” his “word” – feeding our minds and hearts on it day after day! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 17 April 2016 Numbers 36Proverbs 27John 9; 10 "I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE" In his Gospel John records several challenging sayings of Jesus. How are we to understand, “I and my Father are one” in today’s chapter, John 10:30? In what sense are they “one”? We know he prayed to his father all night on at least one occasion. [Luke 6:12] and in his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane he said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [Matthew 26:39] So we ask, in what sense was Jesus “one” with his Father when they had separate ‘wills’? We will soon read [John 14] and his words, “I am going to the Father for the Father is greater than I” [John 14:28]. The solution to our difficulty in gaining a true understanding unfolds in John 17 in his final prayer before his betrayal. He is praying for his disciples and says, “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me” [John 17:9-10]. It was after his all night prayer (in Luke 6) that Jesus chose his 12 disciples [Luke 6:12-16]. We now note the verses which follow in John 17. Our Lord prays, “I am coming to you Holy Father, keep them in your name … that they may be one, even as we are one.” [John 17:11] His prayer for his disciples is that they may have unity of mind, a unity of understanding and so become a harmonious team in carrying on his work after he ascended to heaven. Up until this stage there had been times of jealousy “among them as to which of them was the greatest” [Luke 9:46] Jesus, and God his Father, had a unique oneness – and this was to be the disciple’s role model. But Jesus extends his vision of oneness further, he prays, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us …” [John 17:20-21] All those who believe the original gospel as established by the disciples’ preaching should aim to be “one” in this wonderful way. Those who have achieved and then maintain this wonderful oneness will be the ones who have positions of responsibility in reigning with him when he returns to set up his kingdom. Paul was very conscious of this and stressed this. He counselled the Ephesians to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace … just as you were called in the one hope … one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” [Ephesians 4:3-6] The unity of our Saviour with His father, who is our Father, is the ultimate example for us to be of one mind as we increasingly anticipate our Saviour’s imminent return.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 18 April 2016 Deuteronomy 1Proverbs 28John 11 "IF YOU BELIEVED YOU WOULD SEE ..." Today we started reading Deuteronomy, the last book of Moses. He addressed it to those who would enter the promised land after all their wandering in the wilderness, most of them would have been born there! Of those sent originally to spy out the land only Caleb and Joshua “would see” the land - only they had “believed” and had faith in “the power of God” to bring his promise into reality. (see Mark 12:24) In Proverbs 28 - 3 verses in particular captured our attention as they complement, to some degree, our other readings. “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered …" [Proverbs 28:18] "A faithful man will abound with blessings ..." [Proverbs 28:20] "... he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." [Proverbs 28:26] This wisdom is, of course - as James writes, "from above" and begins, as its foundation by being "first pure ..." [James 3:17] Then we came to that most heart moving chapter in John [John 11]. We should try to let our minds fully imagine the emotion of the scene outside the tomb of Lazarus. The emotion was such that even "Jesus wept." [John 11:35] He tells them to take away the stone from the tomb - it is obvious they have no thought conception, at all, of what is about to happen! An anxious Martha exclaims, " "Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days." [John 11:39] This causes Jesus to respond, ""Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" [John 11:40] We meditate on what it is to "see the glory of God"! The wonders of creation, the incredible way, as Paul told the Roman that "all things work together” [Romans 8:28] in much more than in creation. This ‘working’ is for the "good" of "his purpose" - as Paul had learnt - and was still learning. Are we still learning? The "glory of God" was seen, not only in creation, but in events in the lives of those who love God. Lazarus came forth alive “to the glory of God” - after being dead for 4 days. Can we hear Jesus saying to us now! "If you believe" you will "see the glory of God"? Recall what we read in John 5:28 - that "an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice" We have to "know" his voice - in order to be able to "hear" it! More than this - look at what John 6:40 records Jesus as saying, "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." Let us "look" with our hearts and minds "on the Son" - and then "on the last day" - and how soon is that day now - we will "see the glory of God" manifested in all its wonder and fullness - because we have really "believed" and trusted in God's word – and then we will also enter the most wonderful “promised land” – for Eden will be restored!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 19 April 2016 Deuteronomy 2Proverbs 29John 12 "THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WILL ...” Deuteronomy, which we are now reading is, to some extent, a kind of history lesson to the next generation – the children of those who had died in the wilderness. This is an example to us – to look to the lessons history teaches! We must specially note its’ lessons about the reasons why God acted in response to human actions: the times of his guidance (and the reasons why) and then the times of judgement and of punishment. In Deuteronomy 2 we learn that an “entire generation, that is, the men of war, had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn ..." [Deuteronomy 2:14] They had perished because of their lack of faith - shown by their failure to go up to the promised land. In Proverbs 29:16 it states "When the wicked increase, transgression increases ..." How true today! But the rest of the verse says, "but the righteous will look upon their downfall" How soon will that be for us? Let us make sure we are among “the righteous.” In John 12 we see how the mortal life of Jesus is moving toward its' climax. As it does Jesus utters some challenges to the people - some of which equally apply to our world as it moves towards its' divinely ordained climax. "I have come into the world as light" Jesus says [John 12:46]. In those early generations after he ascended to heaven that "light" transformed the understanding of the meaning of life for many, especially as the gospels and letters were written and circulated. It happened again, when the Bible was translated and printed in many languages 4 to 500 years ago. Jesus says, "If anyone hears (we can add ‘or reads’) my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." [John 12:47] So many responded - at first - but soon "darkness" descended again – and the baser desires in human lives dominated. We recall what we read in John 3 and the observation of Jesus that "whoever does not believe is condemned ... light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." [John 3:18-19] Our world is full of darkness today. The words of Jesus which particularly jump out and challenge us in today's chapter are in John 12:48 "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." This is the day of judgement - when Jesus returns - how soon now!? Could you possibly be among those who do "not receive" Jesus' words? May his words really come alive in our minds - for our response to them will "judge" us "on the last day." We will take a final thought from the writings of Paul, "if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing." [2 Corinthians 4:3] Let us all make sure - by our thoughts and actions to “the word” - every day - that we are not among the "perishing."-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 20 April 2016 Deuteronomy 3Proverbs 30John 13; 14 "A NEW COMMANDMENT" The 2 chapters [John 13; 14] we read today in John’s gospel are two of the most thought challenging chapters in the whole of the Bible. Jesus is giving his disciples an intense personal exhortation. These provide us with hours of study and meditation. John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved” [John 20:2; 21:7,20) is the only one to record it – and he does so in great detail – a wonderful example of John 14:26 being fulfilled. Our minds are attracted to particularly focus and meditate on John 13:33-34 where Jesus exhorts his disciples, calling them, “Little children ... A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another" What is "new" about this? We then notice the heart searching words that qualify this "new commandment"! He had said, " just as I have loved you" This qualification calls for the deepest and most intense personal meditation that we are capable of in an effort to try to produce his quality of “love.” It will be "by this" quality of love that "all people will know that you are my disciples". Jesus then adds, " if you have love for one another." [John 13:35] Let us meditate on what love we have shown so far this month to “one another”! We also reflected on the way Jesus answered Philips' question! He had asked [John 14:8] "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us" What caused him to ask this? Jesus had said, "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also." [John 14:7] He does not say, 'seen' but 'known'! We perceive he means their recognition of the 'oneness of mind' that existed between him and his Father. We read in John 8 how Jesus said, my Father who glorifies me … you have not known him. I know him ... I do know him and I keep his word.” [John 8:55-56] How challenging also are Jesus' words in John 14:19, " Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live." What kind of living? Our minds reach out to try to understand this. Jesus then says, "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." [John 14:20] In what day? Surely his meaning unfolded to their hearts after his resurrection, the reason for his crucifixion will have then been grasped by their minds - as the ultimate act of love - and they would remember - and respond to his words. "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words." [John 14:24] They were now ready, with a sense of full commitment in their hearts to put his "new commandment" into practice. The foundation for us, in doing the same, is to read and meditate on portions of his word every day – and more fully put into practice the “new commandment” and then make sure we build on that foundation. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 21 April 2016 Deuteronomy 4Proverbs 31John 15; 16 "LEST THEY DEPART FROM YOUR HEART" Deuteronomy 4 is a powerful exhortation by Moses, it is part of his final message before he dies. It contains much that also applies to those trying to remain faithful to Jesus as they journey through today’s wilderness to the promised land of God’s worldwide kingdom, praying with greater and greater urgency, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” As God’s involvement in the affairs of this world unfolds and the final intense dramas of conflict and confusion multiply, convinced Bible believers know the visible involvement of God’s intervention is ever nearer. With these thoughts in mind, let us consider what Moses, in his final message, said to the people about their privileged position. “What nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” [Deuteronomy 4:7] We should apply that to ourselves, gaining strength of mind from the intimacy of the personal relationship with God that Jesus reveals in today’s chapter in John. He told his disciples, “… you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you.” [John 15:3-4] That simple phrase says it all, a most wonderful principle to follow. A heart-felt acceptance of God’s word puts us into a special and wonderful relationship with our Lord Jesus and his and our God, a relationship which can and must grow and grow. We find the same point in the last message of Moses to the Israelites before his death. Note Deuteronomy 4:9, “… take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart …. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” The world is continually influencing us to cause God to “depart” from our hearts. We may have an intellectual acknowledgement of him still in our minds; but it maybe we can put God, as it were, into a compartment of our minds and just open the compartment whenever we feel the need to speak and act religious? Such was the tremendous experience on the impressionable teenagers and children, those that left Egypt, that they, together with the children born during those 40 years in the wilderness, went into the promised land and remained faithful. If we are to do the same, our dedicated daily reading of God’s word is an essential foundation on which to build our heart-felt convictions. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 22 April 2016 Deuteronomy 5Ecclesiastes 1John 17; 18 "OH THAT THEY HAD SUCH A HEART AS THIS ALWAYS" Today, in Deuteronomy 5 we read 'the heart' of Moses exhortation to those who would soon enter the promised land. He gives them a history lesson of what happened when many of them were impressionable teenagers; their parents, all those 20 and over, had died in the wilderness (not a desert) as they had wandered and camped from place to place over the last 40 years. At that time they had heard their parents declare, "If we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?" [Deuteronomy 5:25-26] Their parents had said to Moses, "Go near and hear all that the LORD our God will say, and speak to us all that the LORD our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.' [Deuteronomy 5:27] They had heard - but had not been steadfast in doing it - their faith had collapsed when faced with the opportunity to go into the promised land [Numbers14] The all-seeing-knowing eye of God knew this was going to happen. Moses recalls how "the LORD said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken ...' [Deuteronomy 5:28] Then comes the LORD's heart moving, indeed heart-searching observation - and desire, "Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them ..." [Deuteronomy 5:29] We read how Moses conveys the divine message to their children who are now adults - aged up to 60 years! "You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land ..." [Deuteronomy 5:33] And, under Joshua, this happened. Our thoughts travel forward to see the degree to which these words apply to us who are anticipating being among the 'latter-day' redeemed. What kind of 'heart' do we have at the moment? May our hearts be 'alive' with anticipation - and "the full assurance of hope" and "of faith" (see Hebrews 6:11; 10:22). But how many are stumbling because of the intensity of modern life which is both distracting and even blinding their faith? May we all recapture the "heart" we had when we were baptised and, as Moses declared in Deuteronomy 6:4 and – more than ever - "love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." To which Moses adds (next verse) "And these words ... shall be on your heart." Let us carefully examine what is on our hearts!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 23 April 2016 Deuteronomy 6; 7Ecclesiastes 2John 19 "WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND JOY" What a fascinating (and thought challenging) set of chapters we have today! In Deuteronomy we continue reading Moses’ final message to his people. He reminds them that, as children and teenagers “it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh..." [Deuteronomy 7:8] We should see that, spiritually, we have been brought out of the world and its' slavery in living self-centred godless lives and an attitude that this life is all there is! And so it will be - for all such people! We then came to Ecclesiastes 2 and Solomon's meditation on life - and he too, appears to be totally self-centred -as the parents of those now about to enter the promised land had been at the start of their wilderness journey. Solomon reflects on all the things he had accomplished. He writes, "There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God ... For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy ...." [Ecclesiastes 2:24,26] But Solomon's mind is so totally focused on what he has done - which was a great many things more than any other man or woman – but this attitude 'blinded' his mind, so that this life is all he can think about. A valuable lesson for us, who also seek "wisdom and knowledge and joy." But is that our priority in life today, maybe our sole aim? If it is, then from an eternal perspective our lives will end up being a disaster! John 19 describes the trial and crucifixion of Christ- and the normal person would see this as a disaster! But John observes that " these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled" [John 19:36] John, "who saw it" has written this - and "his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truththat you also may believe." [John 19:35] John's testimony is detailed and convincing - as are the Scriptures that forecast this event, adding to our convictions of belief, Psalm 22, from which he quotes, being outstanding! "... they have pierced my hands and feet ... they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." [Psalm 22:16,18] Our "wisdom and knowledge and joy" as to the meaning of life - and the wonders of the future - now so near , look to the time when Ecclesiastes 2:28 will be fully realized, "the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you" for "he rules over the nations." [Psalm 22:27-28] May we be there - let us show our Lord what our priorities are today, that we seek for the right kind of "wisdom and knowledge and joy".-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 24 April 2016 Deuteronomy 8; 9Ecclesiastes 3John 20; 21 “TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN YOUR HEART” All our readings today are memorable ones; they challenge our contemplation! The words, “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” should be familiar to us as words Jesus uttered when faced by the tempter in the wilderness. Jesus was quoting from today’s Deuteronomy reading, they are part of Moses last message, his exhortation, to (us) his people before he dies! Moses tells them, “you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years.” Do we remember how he has led us through the wilderness of this world it’s wild godlessness? Part of God’s leading in the wilderness was to provide them with manna. But we are surviving and coming through our wilderness because of the “word of God” not because of the manna - yet only those who fed on the manna every day were still alive to know this. And so it will be for us. Moses reminds those about to enter the promised land of how God supplied “water out of flinty rock” and “fed you in the wilderness with manna … that he might humble you and test you to do you good in the end” [Deuteronomy 8:15-16]. The testing was “to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not” [Deuteronomy 8:2]. It is a valuable study to look at the way the words ‘try’ and ‘test’ and ‘prove’ are used in the Bible; by our actions we show what is in our heart. There is a ‘punch line’ in the next chapter [Deuteronomy 9] “know therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people” [Deuteronomy 9:6] “it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out from before you” [Deuteronomy 9:4]. In the New Testament we are told time after time that it is because of our faith, not because of anything we do, that God will bring us into his kingdom! But remember how James wrote saying, we show the reality our faith by what we say and do, read James 2:22-24. Let us all remember how the LORD has led us in our lives up until today and - what has been revealed to him on that journey, so as “to know what is in your heart”? Moses exhortation is certainly for us too! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 25 April 2016 Deuteronomy 10; 11 Ecclesiastes 4 Acts 1 "WHAT DOES THE LORD YOUR GOD REQUIRE ..." Today’s 2 chapters in Deuteronomy [Deuteronomy 10; 11] ‘inspire’ us as we come to the ‘heart’ of Moses’ final message before he dies. And we also have Acts 1 and the final words of Jesus before he ascends to heaven. Deuteronomy 10 records this declaration by Moses! "And now, Israel (and are we not spiritual Israelites - the people of God!) what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God" and, as a result "to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD ... for your good?" [Deuteronomy 10:12-13] Deuteronomy 11 starts, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.... consider the discipline of the LORD your God, his greatness ..." Today, men have discovered the unlimited wonders of creation - both on the earth and the endless wonders of space, never before have humans been so aware of “his greatness” – and yet so blind to it! Deuteronomy 11:13 comes the vitally important, but qualifying little word "if"! "... if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give ..." his blessings of a fruitful land! Moses then tells them, "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them ..." [Deuteronomy 11:18-19] whenever opportunity occurs - which, in reality, is in a lot of situations. Surely these words inspire us to do the same, indeed, all the more because our promised land is now so near! It is so appropriate that our N.T. chapter [Acts 1] tells us of the ascent of Jesus to heaven and how before this “during forty days" he was "speaking about the kingdom of God." [Acts 1:3] to his disciples. This is the ultimate fulfilment of what we have read in Deuteronomy. We are on the brink of the promised land "of the kingdom of God" - and we know the answer to the question "what does the LORD your God require of you" - so may we all have the strength to inherit the land (earth – same Hebrew word) - and what wonders await us when we do! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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