Resource Manager Posted October 1, 2016 Report Share Posted October 1, 2016 01 October 2016 1 Chronicles 15Ezekiel 27Luke 24 “SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE” Today, so many are “slow of heart to believe” the words God has caused to be written and preserved – the Holy Bible. Indeed, for most, their hearts have come to a dead stop – there are blindfolds on them: they have given up trying to think how all that exists came into being. Our quotation above – are the words of the resurrected, but unrecognised, Jesus to the 2 disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus on the day the news of his resurrection was spreading and – it seems – not being really believed. These disciples did not realize it was Jesus, but they were not part of the 12 disciples. One of them was Cleopas whose wife had stood by the cross with her sister Mary, Jesus’ mother [John 19:25]. Jesus said to them, "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 are to say later after he had gone in with them at Emmaus for a meal, "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] How much do our hearts “burn” as we see the jigsaw pieces of the Scripture fitting together in such a wonderfully meaningful way – the more we read them!? We cannot anticipate all the situations that will lead up to his literal return to earth. Let us not be “slow of heart to believe” what we read 3 days ago in Luke 21 – and the time comes – how soon now – when dramatic events make clearer to us the reality of what we read! If they do not – then “that day (will) come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” [Luke 21:34-35] We must, as Jesus said, “stay awake at all times, praying …” [Luke 21:35-36] Let us not be “slow of heart to believe.”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2016 02 October 2016 1 Chronicles 16Ezekiel 28Galatians 1; 2 "AN EVERLASTING COVENANT TO ISRAEL" What was this covenant – that was everlasting? It was the action of God that brought this covenant into being! Bible readers should be very conscious of this as they have watched the friction in the Middle East about the ownership of the Holy Land over the last 49 years, especially if we are old enough to remember the events of 1947/8. Look at Leviticus 25 and the references to “49 years” in Leviticus 25:8 and the next 2 verses! We read today in Chronicles of David’s Psalm that he wrote for the people to sing on the day “they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it.” [1 Chronicles 16:1] “Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord” [1 Chronicles 16:7] and he gave Asaph this Psalm. Its initial emphasis is thanksgiving: “Oh give thanks to the LORD call upon his name; make known his deeds … let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually” [1 Chronicles 16:8,10,11] After this, the psalm in our Chronicles chapter today is about the relationship God has established with his people, called a covenant. The people would sing, “Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob, as an everlasting covenant to Israel.” [1 Chronicles 16:15-17] His covenant with Abraham was that “all the land of Canaan (would be his) for an everlasting possession” [Genesis 17:8] The Psalm they sang includes the words, “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations” [1 Chronicles 16:35] God inspired David to write of the future – and the greatest vision of the future is - “Worship the LORD in the splendour of holiness; tremble before him all the earth … let the earth rejoice, let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’ … for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” [1 Chronicles 16:29-34] May we be there to “rejoice.” How long now before the nations say “The LORD reigns” we do not know – but we should live our lives so that, one day, maybe very soon, our eyes will see and our voices sing, “The LORD reigns.”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 03 October 2016 1 Chronicles 17Ezekiel 29Galatians 3; 4 “UNTIL CHRIST IS FORMED IN YOU” How meaningful and spiritually challenging are the words of Paul we read today in the 3rd and 4th chapters of his letter to the Galatians. At least some of the converts to the gospel of Christ there were being persuaded by Jews to observe and keep the Law of Moses: but Paul says that “the Law was our guardian until Christ came” [Galatians 3:24]. It was for the Jews – and for them, in particular, it pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice for sins – one that would bring to an end the sacrifice of animals. Paul says, they “are no longer under a guardian.” [Galatians 3:25] Instead, “in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” [Galatians 3:26] It is essential that faith is genuine. An essential foundation toward developing genuine faith today is our reading and meditation on the word of God, doing it in such a way that it comes ‘alive’ in our minds. Baptism is (was) the foundation for this, the major crossroads in the ‘highway’ of our lives; sadly so many now fail to see this. We specially note the next point Paul makes! “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” [Galatians 3:27] We must realize that the physical act of baptism has to be so heart felt that it prompts a new way of thinking – and this is reflected in our lives – day after day – this is because we have “receive(d) adoption as sons (or daughters)” [Galatians 4:5] and we have become “an heir through God” [Galatians 4:7] God’s “Spirit”, Paul told the Romans, “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs …” [Romans 8:16]. Paul told the Galatians that “formerly (they) did not know God …. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God ...” [Galatians 4:9], he asks, “how can” they “turn back” to what they were before” [Galatians 4:9] How tragic to “turn back” – but some do – the ways of the world appeals too much to them – the reality of Christ no longer seems real to them. He asks the Galatians, “What … has become of your blessedness?” [Galatians 4:15] We can sense the imploring tone in his ‘voice’ as we read “my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” [Galatians 4:19] Let us make doubly sure that “Christ is formed in” us – and we are “known by God” for then “is Christ in you, the hope of glory” [Colossians 1:27] and what a glorious hope that is!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 04 October 2016 1 Chronicles 18; 19Ezekiel 30Galatians 5; 6 "WHATSOEVER ONE SOWS, THAT WILL HE ALSO REAP” Our first reading [1 Chronicles 18; 19] details David’s extensive conquests – even to the river Euphrates [1 Chronicles 18:3) and one wonders how far the nation will extend to in the kingdom age, the time when, as Isaiah was caused to prophesy, “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom” [isaiah 35:1] This area is largely desert today. Our chapter in Ezekiel [Ezekiel 30] details the actions of God toward Egypt, a land which archaeology plainly shows had been great in ancient times with an extensive civilisation. Through Ezekiel God declares, “her proud might shall come to an end … I will execute judgments on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the LORD." [Ezekiel 30:18-19] At least some of the generations back then, learnt that God meant what he said, just as this generation is going to! How dramatically that will be demonstrated when Jesus returns and “before him will be gathered all the nations” [Matthew 25:32] There are many lessons for us in the final 2 chapters we read in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Paul warns them, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” [Galatians 5:7] Our world is full of distractions that threaten to ‘hinder’ us – let us make sure we keep “running well” and ‘obey’ – not just ‘know’ the truth. Many of the Jewish converts had the ‘eyes of their minds’ fixed on keeping the old law and threatened to be a distraction. Paul declared, “the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." [Galatians 5:14]. This is obviously - genuine love from the heart – how wonderful the spirit that prevailed in the first generation of believers; may we all try harder to emulate this. In his final chapter Paul tells them that “whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” [Galatians 6:7]. This is another way of indicating there are just 2 ways – the broad and the narrow! The next verse sees Paul declaring, “the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Let us make sure our minds are controlled by spiritual ways of thinking. How close are we now to God’s harvest time, when we will reap what we have sown - and the kingdom will be established!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2016 05 October 2016 1 Chronicles 20; 21Ezekiel 31Ephesians 1; 2 “THE EYES OF YOUR HEARTS ENLIGHTENED” Does your heart have eyes? What does Paul mean when he says that at least some have? Today we read the fascinating and mentally challenging first 2 chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul says God “predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will …” [Ephesians 1:5] and this is “to the praise of his glorious grace …” [Ephesians 1:6] “Predestined” is a challenging word; we do not use it in ordinary conversation. It confronts us with the fact that “there is none like me (God) declaring the end from the beginning” as he stated through Isaiah [isaiah 46:10]. The Creator is not ‘bound’ by time – a truth, a fact, beyond our present ability to understand! Paul is inspired to write in the ‘present tense’ of things that are yet to happen! “In him,” he writes, “we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will…” [Ephesians 1:11] Our faith, if it is really genuine, is shown by how we think – and – as a result – live “so that we … might be to the praise of his glory.” [Ephesians 1:12] Is it clear what Paul means here? If our “hope in Christ” is genuine, an all-embracing attitude of heart – then we will, more and more, live in ways which are “to the praise of his glory.”! This how David’s faith in God was demonstrated by his actions – and gave praise and glory to God. Paul, in the verses which follow, sees his and our lives from God’s perspective, that is, if we are fully committed to serving our Creator and his Son. Paul, and all such believers can and should see themselves as Christ’s “body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” [Ephesians 1:23]. The particular challenge to us is to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened” that (we) may know what is … the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might …” His “great might” is bringing our world to its awesome climax – and divine destiny! And us? It depends as to how much “the eyes of (y)our hearts” are “enlightened” to “have the full assurance of hope until the end.” [Hebrews 6:11]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 06 October 2016 1 Chronicles 22Ezekiel 32Ephesians 3; 4 "THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD" The above phrase occurs so often in Ezekiel. For example, Ezekiel 28; 29; 30 all conclude with these words. In today’s chapter [Ezekiel 32] it occurs in Ezekiel 32:15 after predicting the downfall and disgrace of Egypt where the remnant of the people from Jerusalem had gone for safety, taking a reluctant Jeremiah with them [Jeremiah 43]. Egypt had been a great nation for centuries as archaeology shows and we particularly remember the experience of Joseph. So what does this phrase mean? We concluded that it means – that events prove that those who know and listen to the words that the prophets utter in the name of the LORD – the one and only God – will know that he is the only LORD and he means what he says. We can therefore see that the fulfilment of God’s words in the past gives confidence and faith to those who take serious notice of his words today. Today’s chapter lists all the great nations that had come and gone – and which Egypt was to join in obscurity. Some we know, like Assyria [Ezekiel 32:22-23], some we are not so sure of the detail about, like Elam and Edom. It is interesting that Meshech gets a mention [Ezekiel 32:26] as a nation of the past – before Ezekiel’s time. To equate this name with Moscow, as some have, a city which did not come into existence until nearly 1,500 years later, seems a totally unreasonable deduction. One could compile an up-to-date list of Empires that have come and gone. The Roman Empire became nominally Christian in the third Century but perished in its own corruption 200 years later. And what of the British Empire? And also the Spanish? And many more! Human Empires come and go, but when God’s ‘Empire’ is established over all the earth ... then ALL people will know – but it will be of no benefit to those who do not “know the LORD now! Indeed, it will be a disaster to many, to those who refuse to believe there is a Creator! God causes the prophet Joel to paint this picture of the future, “The LORD roars from Zion … the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people … so you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.” [Joel 3:16-17] Those who KNOW their God now - will have an eternal role in His service from that time. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 07 October 2016 1 Chronicles 23Ezekiel 33Ephesians 5; 6 “THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY” Today we read the final 2 chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. These chapters emphasize the need to “be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us” [Ephesians 5:1-2] How did Christ show his love for us? It caused him “to give his life as a ransom ..." [Matthew 20:28] We are not asked to do this, but we are asked to make every effort to make our characters more and more like that of Christ! Let us have fully in mind what we read in Galatians 4 days ago! “my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” [Galatians 4:19] Paul’s anguish! That was the outcome of his love and this was founded on his love for Christ! What is our love founded on? Surely the same! But how well do we know Christ? This will show in the strength of the foundation our lives have established. Is it rock-like? Paul then proceeds to describe the opposite! What happens, as happens in our world, when there is no love for Christ! Paul tells them, “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you … Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking … instead let there be thanksgiving.” [Ephesians 5:3-4] How much “thanksgiving” do we express – and is also shown by our actions? Now, a question for each of us to answer – from our hearts. To achieve these things we must “take up the whole armour of God” [Ephesians 6:13] We note how the parts of this armour are described! There is one particular purpose – in doing this – “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Now look at the next 4 verses, they tell us of the weapons we need to develop as fully as we can if we are to effectively “withstand in the evil day”. A major weapon is to have “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” [Ephesians 6:17]. May we all keep our “sword” sharp – and in daily use.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2016 08 October 2016 1 Chronicles 24; 25Ezekiel 34Philippians 1; 2 “‘FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU’” Those of you who are young know what it is to have “a work out” – we understand it as a simple way of saying you are exercising to keep yourself fit. It is just as important; well, actually far more important, to keep ourselves spiritually fit. If you are really young and feel very physically fit, then make sure your aim is also to grow up and become spiritually fit. Note the phrase that occurs in our Philippians readings this morning. Paul writes, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure” [Philippians 2:12-13] That’s a fantastic verse … God works in us! But if we are not interested in him and do not meditate on his involvement in our lives, then we cannot expect him to watch over us in whatever “work out” we choose. If we choose to “work out” God’s way then we will be training ourselves to think and act in a Christ like way and we will use our lives – in some way - every day - to serve him. For example, we will aim to follow Paul’s advice “being in full accord and one mind” with those also in training. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit” counselled Paul, “but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” [Philippians 2:2-3] We have also been reading Ezekiel and the Jews he knew totally failed the spiritual “work out” God expected of them. He had been patient with them over many generations but now all sorts of terrible things happened to them, as we have been reading. Our God is very patient; he wants us to be saved, to be in his wonderful kingdom which will soon come on this earth. Just as we do physical exercises, especially the young – but also those not so young - who still want to feel “young.” In the same way both young and old must exercise their minds about God and Jesus by constantly reading God’s word. In that way we will know what to pray for – and our prayers will be answered – and we will sense “it is God who works in us!. But if we only pray when we are in trouble, is it fair to expect God to answer? Trouble is certainly coming on this earth – we will need to be spiritually fit as fully as possible to cope with it. Let us make sure there is enough oil (of faith) in our lamps?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 09 October 2016 1 Chronicles 26Ezekiel 35Philippians 3; 4 "... NOW TELL YOU EVEN WITH TEARS" The Apostle Paul is very emotional as he expresses his thoughts in his letter to the Philippians. He helps us to realize that a fully committed belief in Christ goes hand in hand with a fullness of conviction which results in a living relationship day by day with our Lord Jesus. This comes across to us in what Paul writes here. His words, to be fully appreciated, require our emotional meditation if we are to capture the fullness of his message. Paul is greatly distressed about those who have failed to achieve this vital attitude of commitment, an attitude created by seeing the unseen! Know what we mean? This must be at the heart of all true and genuine lives of faith. It is true that there will be occasions when such a vision fails, men like David and Elijah experienced this. The letter of Paul to the Philippines is the most positive of all his letters, yet even at Philippi he had many failures to grieve over. He writes of “many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” [Philippians 3:18] What were they doing to make them enemies? One thing Paul says is “their God is their belly”! It reminds us of the parable of Jesus about the man who had his mind focussed on this life’s blessings and said to himself, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years, relax, eat, drink, be merry.” [Luke 12:19] This is the aim of so many today whether they have “ample goods” or not. Without Christ, lives many lived to this purpose can and will come to a sudden end. Paul sums up the attitude that distressed him by stating, they have their “minds set on earthly things.” [Philippians 3:19] Undoubtedly these did not see they were doing this, they would usually find time to go and worship for an hour or two on the first day of the week. The most positive part of Paul’s message is his appeal, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” [Philippians 3:17] “One thing I do … I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus … let us hold true to what we have attained.” [Philippians 3:13,14,16] Let us all press on and “hold true,” praying for those who cause our tears.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 10 October 2016 1 Chronicles 27Ezekiel 36John 1 “AND YOU SHALL BE MY PEOPLE” Today’s chapter in Ezekiel [Ezekiel 36] is fascinating – and challenges our understanding. It is clear it has a ‘latter day’ application. But first, in Ezekiel 36:16-17 we read, “The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds.” (What is our world doing?) But from Ezekiel 36:22 the prophet is caused to look into the distant future – our days. – How wonderful for those who know God’s word when they see his word, his promises, fulfilling! God says, “I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.” [Ezekiel 36:24] The next verse describes what we pray is about to happen “I will sprinkle clean water on you …. I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you….. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” [Ezekiel 36:25,26,38] So God utters his word – and it is a word that promises action. But divine action occurs within the divine time frame of action. How interesting was what we read earlier in Ezekiel. “For I am the LORD; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed …” [Ezekiel 12:25] And so God’s judgements condemning his people came to pass; Jerusalem was destroyed in the prophet’s lifetime! But later God gives Ezekiel a much longer range ‘picture’ of his actions with his nation. Ezekiel is caused to ‘see’ God’s action - so that “I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries.” [Ezekiel 36:19] And this happened - in its’s greatest totality, after they rejected and crucified their Messiah. But, then, the prophet is caused took still further ahead – to our days! In Ezekiel 36:24 we read, “I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.” How long now to when the next verses are fulfilled? Surely the return of Christ, their Messiah will bring this about! They will see him “whom they have pierced” (see Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7) Finally, we read in Ezekiel, “You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleanness’s” [Ezekiel 36:28.39]. And we can also be God’s people, if we whole hearted believe his word and the word of his Son – and live accordingly.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 11 October 2016 1 Chronicles 28Ezekiel 37John 2; 3 "UNLESS ONE IS BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT…" These words of Jesus to Nicodemus, the Jewish teacher and “a ruler of the Jews” who came to him by night, challenge our thinking and understanding. We read them today at the start of John 3. We need to understand them within the context of the unfolding words of Jesus. Many who see themselves as Christians like to say they are “born again,” but what did Jesus mean when he said “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God ?” Nicodemus admitted. “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” [John 3:2] His words lead Jesus to respond, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” [John 3:3]. The ESV footnote says, ‘the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again and from above” This means, we believe, the action of God in responding to what he sees in the heart of the one seeking to be re-born. We recall God’s words through Isaiah, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him (or her) who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” [isaiah 57:15] It is clear there needs to be a ‘rebirth’ in the heart of one who is genuinely “born again” because of the action of the Creator, who is above. The visible action of this is then created by the person themselves in being ‘born of water’ as happened on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2:37-38]. Later in today’s chapter we note that John Baptist’s disciples comment on how “all are going to him” (Jesus) and “look he is baptising” [John 3:22,26; 4:1-2 – the disciples of Jesus doing the baptising] However, many were “not receiving his testimony”! Then Jesus bluntly states, “Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true” [John 3:33] This reaction to Jesus’ teaching is evidence that this person is also born of … the spirit. The opposite of this is, “He who is of the earth, belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way” [John 3:31]. We must ask ourselves – in what way do we speak? Is there clear evidence that we have been born of water and of the spirit? We must each “examine (y)ourselves” See and meditate on 2 Corinthians 13:5.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2016 12 October 2016 1 Chronicles 29Ezekiel 38John 4 "GATHERING FRUIT FOR ETERNAL LIFE" It never ceases to surprise how, in doing the daily Bible readings, we come across something we had never really taken notice of previously. We read today in John 4 of a conversation between Jesus and his disciples; they were in Samaria among people the Jews despised. The disciples had gone and bought some food, but Jesus had been talking, first to a woman who came where “Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey (he was no superman!) was sitting beside the well” [John 4:6]. It was midday. He talked to her; we are familiar with the conversation which led to her fetching other townsfolk to converse with him. The seeds of a true faith among the Samaritans were being sown by Jesus. Some years later when Jesus had ascended to heaven and the number of believers had grown greatly in Jerusalem, the stoning of Stephen led to some going to Samaria to preach. Jesus, in his last words as he ascended to heaven [Acts 1:8], had specifically mentioned Samaria as a place where they were “to be my witnesses.” It was persecution in Jerusalem that led to the preaching there [Acts 8:5] and “there was much joy in that city” and “the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria has received the word of God” [Acts 8:8,14] Today’s chapter tells us how Jesus sowed the initial seeds there and he spent two days there [John 4:43]. He had spiritual food to digest to give him spiritual energy, but his disciples had not understood this when he said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘there are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for the harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life.” [John 4:34-36] This is a lesson for us, there is the equivalent of the Samaritans in many parts of the world today, and this is the final ingathering. Jesus says, “Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour” [John 4:38]. When we enter into that labour we are “gathering fruit for eternal life” – and initially that is our own eternal life. Our “food” must also be “to do the will of” the one who sent Jesus into the world, and then we will be with him when he comes again.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2016 13 October 2016 2 Chronicles 1; 2Ezekiel 39John 5 "YOU DO NOT HAVE HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU" We may read God’s word every day, we may find it interesting and helpful as a guide to living a satisfying life, but is that enough? What did Jesus mean when he spoke about God’s word abiding, that is, living in a person? Who was Jesus talking to on this occasion? Today’s reading of John 5 describes the increasing confrontation of Jesus with the Jews [John 5:18]. The challenge for them had begun with the preaching of John Baptist and Jesus says, “He was a burning and a shining lamp and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” [John 5:35] They listened and there was a time of interest, even of rejoicing, but then it suddenly became too hard to accept. The divinely inspired message of Jesus, challenged their vested interests. What a great lesson is there for us here. The word of God which Jesus conveys to human beings has to be accepted into the minds of those who hear. If it is not accepted in this way it cannot live in them. When it lives in them, it becomes part of their thinking. It is the “living water” - as Jesus told the woman of Samaria about – as we read yesterday [John 4:10]. Remember how Jesus went on to explain, “The water that I will give … become(s) a spring of water welling up to eternal life” [John 4:14] Water is a cleansing agent and the “living water” that Jesus provides is his cleansing word. But for it to do its work it has to abide in us. The Jews who rejoiced for a while at hearing John the Baptist failed to let his words abide in them. Jesus sadly, but bluntly told them, “you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. The same, very sadly, has been true of every generation. Human nature is such that all too often we only hear what we want to hear. Or – today – only read what we want to read! On another occasion Jesus said, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear …” [Luke 8:17-18] There is no point in reading God’s word, and of Jesus and his message if we do not let his words live in us and change our thinking and our lives. Jesus also said, as we read today, “whoever hears my word and believes on him who sent me has eternal life” [John 5:24], surely that means their names are now in “the book of life” as we read last week in Philippians 4:3.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 14 October 2016 2 Chronicles 3; 4Ezekiel 40John 6 “SO WHOEVER FEEDS ON ME” John 6 is one of the most thought challenging in the whole Bible. Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” [John 6:51]. The earlier part of the chapter had described the feeding of the five thousand in the wilderness (i.e. an uninhabited area); it is the only miracle recorded in all 4 gospels. And what a lesson Jesus now ‘draws’ for his disciple!. The miraculous provision of ‘heavenly’ bread symbolizes Jesus’ teaching. He had earlier told them, “"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” [John 6:35] How few have found the way to avoid this find of hungering and thirsting today without realizing it: the ‘chaff’ tastes OK to those whose who have been brought up on it. The proof that we have found “the bread of life” is the ongoing effect that our reading and meditating, (with the resultant reality of our prayers), has on each one of us. Jesus very plainly says, “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, … will live because of me. A key question we must answer is - how do we ‘feed’ on Jesus in a real spiritual sense? Jesus tells them! Look at John 6:63! “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” The words of Jesus; and this chapter is a particularly challenging example, provide us with “spirit and life”. In contrast to the world offers us abundant fleshly experiences and then eternal death. Once again we realize there is no middle way, life is a choice between the “narrow” and the “wide” – Jesus told them [Matthew 7:13] People then, and ever since have faced this choice! The “wide” way today, seems wider than ever! Finally we note what happened – as a result of the words of Jesus?” We read, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” [John 6:66] So many today do not even start to follow Jesus! And ourselves? Let us finish our thoughts today by jumping ahead to John 8. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." [John 8:12] In following him, we must “feed” on him – as our main for our heart and mind diet every day.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 15 October 2016 2 Chronicles 5; 6Ezekiel 41John 7 "RENDER TO EACH WHOSE HEART YOU KNOW" In today’s reading of 2 Chronicles 6 we have Solomon’s remarkable prayer at the dedication of the wonderful Temple he had just completed. It was constructed of cedar, but just about all the interior had been overlaid with gold. Imagine it! The greatest focus of the gold was on the Most Holy Place where Israel’s God, the only real God was to “dwell” between the cherubim above the ark. Solomon “knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly … and spread out his hands toward heaven” [2 Chronicles 6:13] He was on a raised bronze platform about 4.5 ft. (1.4 metres) high. In his humility he is fully aware of the unimaginable greatness of God. His words include, “but will God indeed dwell with man on earth? Behold heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you …” [2 Chronicles 6:18] Solomon then enumerates the various situations which will cause men and women to offer prayers here – and – towards here. 2 Chronicles 6:29 onwards particularly caught our attention. “Whatever prayer, whatever plea is made …. each knows his own affliction and his own sorrow … then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his (or her) ways, for you, you only know the hearts of the children of mankind” A great amount of food for mediation is in those words. Our Heavenly Father is able to “tune in” to all hearts and there are hearts that he has a relationship with – to “know” them! This perception of Solomon reflects the words of his father David in Psalm 11, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of men. The LORD tests the righteous … he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” [Psalm 11:4,5,7]. We read two days ago the words of Jesus to those critical of him, “I know that you do not have the love of God within you” [John 5:42]. God and Jesus know our hearts! Does that affect your life, starting with the way you think – for a significant portion of each day? What is “within” us matters more than anything else in our lives. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2016 16 October 2016 2 Chronicles 7Ezekiel 42John 8 "THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE" Today’s long chapter [John 8] in John’s Gospel is most challenging. Jesus said, “Whoever is of God knows the words of God, the reason you do not hear them is that you are not of God” [John 8:47]. But of course they were hearing what he said; the point was that they could not make sense of his words. They could not see what he meant because their minds were so fixed in their way of thinking. Does not the same problem exist today? There are some listening who are wanting to believe and understand what Jesus says and to them he says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” [John 8:32]. They are confused! As descendants of Abraham, they say, we are not “enslaved to anyone, how is it that you say, ‘you will become free?’” [John 8:33] Jesus then makes the point, “everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin … if the Son sets you free. You will be free indeed.” [John 8:36] Most of his listeners fail to get the point – and in the end the essential point is whether they are “of God” – or not. If they are “of God” they will listen and seek to understand the words of God. It maybe that some or many of his listeners would later hear Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost and who “were cut to the heart” [Acts 2:37] and were ready to receive the truth and be made free. Their freedom was accomplished the day, they accepted “the truth” – and were baptised! They had heard Peter quote from the Psalms, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence” [Acts 2:28] There are the two paths – of life – or of death. All begin by walking on the path of death, but all have the opportunity to be set free from that path by seeing “the truth” that is revealed in God’s word, first through the men of God, the prophets of old – and later by Jesus and the apostles. What is the situation today? Well, all can read God’s word and search of what Jesus really meant and then decide whether to respond and be “set … free.”.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2016 17 October 2016 2 Chronicles 8Ezekiel 43John 9; 10 “… AND FIND PASTURE” Today John carefully details for us the teaching of Jesus about the shepherd and the sheep. How rewarding it is to meditate on his words. Jesus is both “the good shepherd” and “the door” by which the sheep enter. He says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and go in and out and find pasture.” [John 10:9] His teaching is simple, yet profound at the same time; “I know my own and my own know me.” [John 10:14] How does this happen? Do our minds properly grasp what he next says? “Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father …” For us to know in this sense is to be aware of the need to develop a relationship that leads to an increasingly intimate understanding of divine thoughts and ways. Meditate on the relationship Jesus had with his Father. Jesus says the sheep “follow him, because they know his voice” [John 10:4]. John and others were inspired (see John 14:25-26) to remember and write down what they heard and their writings have been preserved for us; they are the place where we can “find pasture” today in a world that surrounds us with virulent harmful weeds that corrupt our minds if we give these weeds opportunity to take root and grow. We must make sure we “find pasture” every day that will nourish our thinking and build up our spiritual wisdom. In finding pasture let us also find “rest.” We live in days like Jeremiah who lamented, “I am weary … and I find no rest” and the LORD says, “I am bringing disaster upon all flesh …. But I will give you your life …” [Jeremiah 45:3,5] We may feel like Jeremiah, if not now, then soon – so we need to treasure in our minds the words of our Lord, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [Matthew 11:29] Let us make sure we do that today – and every day – “and find pasture” of the very best kind.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 18 October 2016 2 Chronicles 9Ezekiel 44John 11 “… IF YOU BELIEVED, YOU WOULD SEE …” Our first reading [2 Chronicles 9] is about the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon; she felt the need to check out on the reports she had heard about, his “fame” was his glory to be “believed?” [2 Chronicles 9:1]. When she sees it, she declares, “behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me” [2 Chronicles 9:6] In reading the description we can see this as a small foretaste of the glories that will be seen in Christ’s kingdom. Then in Ezekiel we read his vision of the future Temple. The prophet “looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD. And I fell on my face” [Ezekiel 44:4]. Again, a ‘picture’ of seeing glory: the glory to come – overwhelming glory. Our reading in John 11, however, causes us to consider what things amount to ‘’spiritual’ glory? It is so different to what is seen as glory today! What a contrast between God’s glory and mans! And what is God’s glory? We read in John 11 of Jesus coming to Bethany, which it seems, he had often visited. He had received a message, “he whom you love is ill.” Jesus had a special relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, who lived there. But Lazarus had been ill and had died before Jesus arrived. He had been in the tomb for 4 days, and his sister Mary when she “saw him … fell at his feet, saying … "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." [John 11:32] Jesus asks, “"Where have you laid him?" [John 11:34]. They come to the tomb and “Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha questions this, "Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days." [John 11:39] How awesome is his response, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" [John 11:40] This causes us to ponder the awesome nature of things that give glory to God! At the start of the chapter, when Jesus first heard of Lazarus being ill, Jesus said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." [John 11:4] Do we really believe? Do we show this by the way we talk and live? If we do, then, in our humble way, in this godless world, we will be giving glory to God. And what glory is soon to come – for God – in the wonder of the resurrection at his Son’s return! How soon now!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 19 October 2016 2 Chronicles 10; 11Ezekiel 45John 12 “THE WORD … WILL JUDGE … ON THE LAST DAY” Today’s chapter in John’s gospel [John 12] is one of the most profound and thought challenging in the whole Bible! The atmosphere within human hearts of the choice between the broad and narrow ways was rarely so evident than in this time before the arrest of Jesus. The Master’s challenging observations jump out at us. The envy our Lord’s popularity generated was increasing. The raising to life of Lazarus after 4 days in the tomb was significant in causing this. “So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” [John 12:10-11] John records the ‘agony’ in the mind of Jesus, and we are to learn that John was “the one whom Jesus loved” [John 20:2; 21:7] and he is able to record the words of Jesus, "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” [John 12:27] The humanity of Jesus is most evident here – and the words in Hebrews ‘jump’ into our minds, that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15] At this moment after Jesus prays, “Father, glorify your name." … a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." [John 12:28]. Yesterday we read how “the glory of God” was seen [John 11:40] in the raising of Lazarus. This was a foretaste of the raising of Jesus – but many were not to be aware of this, only those who believed in him. Wonderfully, on one occasion “he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time” [1 Corinthians 15:6] What is the future for those who did not believe in him – despite the evidence! Later in this chapter we read, “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.” [John 12:48] How close are we now to the last day!? And the written word is available to all, let us make every effort to “receive” them – and daily show in our words and actions that we have done so.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 20 October 2016 2 Chronicles 12; 13Ezekiel 46John 13; 14 “THAT YOU LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” What is love – that is love as Jesus means it – as he passionately teaches his disciples in the hours before his arrest? What thought challenging chapters we are reading in John’s gospel! John is inspired to record the words of Jesus in detail and they are a lifelong source of inspiration for us. Today, in John 14:26, we read the promise of how John was able to do this. Jesus challenges them – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you …” [John 13:34] Jesus had set them the example of the kind of love he meant – his concern for them – his guidance – his compassion. The one disciple who did not deserve this, Judas Iscariot had earlier gone, “out. And it was night.” [John 13:30] Judas had heard earlier in his ministry how “Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." [John 8:12] May we all have that “light”! Jesus also knew that Peter’s faith would be severely challenged and told him the morning would not come “till you have denied me three times.” [John 13:38] When this happened Peter would realise the full reality of their premature declaration that we will read in John tomorrow, “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." [John 16:30] That belief is the foundation – a foundation that we all must build upon. Our building on this foundation will be especially important as we read the descriptions of the events which are to occur as our Master returns to earth, see for e.g. Luke 21:25-27. But then, after that “distress” Isaiah’s prophecy will be fulfilled.” to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder … Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end … to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness…” [isaiah 9:6-7] To be there – will be the reward of those who respond, with all their hearts, to the “new commandment” of Jesus “that you love one another: just as I have loved you …”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 21 October 2016 2 Chronicles 14; 15Ezekiel 47John 15; 16 “DO YOU NOW BELIEVE?” “Do you now believe?” is the question Jesus asked his disciples after they had declared, “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." [John 16:30] The last verse in this chapter provides much food for thought; Jesus tells his disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." There is much ‘food’ for meditation here – and John 18 - which we will read on Sunday - describes the arrest of Jesus by a band of soldiers and its’ effect on his disciples! Jesus prays for them. In Luke’s gospel we read how Jesus tells Peter, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." [Luke 22:32] Faith may falter, but our Lord will be there to strengthen, let us be sure we believe this. We sense that our world is facing increasing tribulation, the news media appears to be trying to camouflage how serious are the situations that are developing in a multitude of ways – at the moment. If we reach the stage of feeling great anxiety - we could hear the voice of Jesus asking, “Do you now believe?” When we come to John 20 we will see how “the doors (were) locked where the disciples were for fear …” [John 20:19] How close are we now to the fulfillment of the forecast of Jesus about the state of the world when he is about to return? The anxieties will be such that we could be asking each other “Do you now believe?” Jesus said that at that time there will be “distress of nations in perplexity … people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world.” [Luke 21:25-26] Let us make sure we “now believe.” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 22 October 2016 2 Chronicles 16; 17Ezekiel 48John 17; 18 "YOUR WORD IS TRUTH" Does anyone speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in the world these days? Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” [John 18:38]; the motive behind the question is not readily apparent – and it was the end of their conversation. Before his arrest, in his prayers, Jesus had expressed some remarkable thoughts which John has recorded for us. In the pressure on him, because he knew what was about to happen, Jesus is thinking and praying for his disciples! What a remarkable example for us to try to follow if we are ever in a difficult and dangerous situation; we should focus our minds and pray for others. Jesus prays, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me that they may be one, even as we are one” [John 17:11]. Strength comes through unity and Jesus knew they faced 3 heart wrenching days: it seems obvious they were together in their deep distress. Jesus continues, “I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word …” [John 17:12-14]. What kind of joy was fulfilled? Glance back to John 16:22-24, “you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you … Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Joy beyond imagining awaits Christ’s genuine followers in the time soon to come. For now, the words of Jesus are so meaningful, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” [John 17:16-17] This brings us back to the question, “What is truth?” Surely it means that the foundation of all that is true is in what God has spoken via Jesus and other godly people. Another word for truth in modern parlance is the saying, ‘Get real!’ meaning something like – ‘Face reality.’ So when Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” - we think it was likely said in exasperation. He, as are others, are constantly surrounded by distorted “truth” and half-truths. In today’s world it is more than ever the case. But we can say, as we pray to God, “Your word is truth” and make it the foundation of our thinking and doing every day. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 23 October 2016 2 Chronicles 18; 19Daniel 1John 19 “… THAT YOU ALSO MAY BELIEVE” What do you believe? What do people believe today? Most people seem to have given up trying to believe anything except what they can see and touch. For many, life is like the man in the parable that Jesus told, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry." [Luke 12:19] But that night he died, as the next verse tells us. And the lesson Jesus draws? Luke 12:21 tells us, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." Today, for nearly everyone, life is increasingly uncertain, there is nothing they feel they can believe – in the long term sense, so they concentrate more and more on finding ways to “relax, eat, drink, be merry." What started our thinking along these lines is what we read today in John 19. John, who stood by the cross with Jesus’ mother [John 19:26] witnessed all that happened and, as Jesus had said earlier, as we read in John 14:29, “I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” As John spells out in detail the awesome events of the crucifixion, he says “these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled” [John 19:36-37]. In Psalm 22:16-17; 34:20 we read the Scriptures that were then being fulfilled. Psalm 22:18 also forecast how they would “divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots” – fulfilled by the solders beside the cross as John 19:24 tells us. Today there is clear evidence with the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls that this was written long before these events took place. Now note what John declares in John 19:35 “He who saw it has borne witness his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth that you also may believe.” And so they did believe – as the testimonies of the disciples were written and spread abroad in the first and second centuries! And again as the Bible was translated and spread round the world in recent centuries. But today the question Jesus asked and which we read in Luke 18:8, echoes in our minds, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Real belief and faith only comes through reading and absorbing God’s word every day – let us make sure we each do this – and strengthen each other whenever we get together, “making the best use of the (our) time, because the days are evil.” [Ephesians 5:16]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 24 October 2016 2 Chronicles 20Daniel 2John 20; 21 “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO …” We have a remarkable set of readings today, probably the most remarkable and thought challenging in the whole year! First in 2 Chronicles 20 we have Jehoshaphat’s impassioned prayer which is dramatically answered. Then in Daniel 2 we read of the remarkable dream given to Nebuchadnezzar which Daniel reveals to him – and then gives the king the interpretation: this reaches its’ climax with the words, “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever …” [Daniel 2:44] Our readings then climax with the last 2 chapters of John’ gospel which detail the appearances and teaching of Jesus after his resurrection. The disciple Thomas was not there at first and he would not believe Jesus was alive again. He had surely witnessed his awesome death – being among “all his acquaintances … who had followed him” and who “… stood at a distance watching these things.” [Luke 23:49] Thomas declared, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." [John 20:25] Then later, Jesus appears to them all! This includes Thomas, who then declares his belief. “Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." [John 20:29] May we be so “blessed.” John ends this chapter by writing, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. This means – “you may have” eternal life – to be wonderfully given when Jesus returns – and how soon now!? We are awed to think his return is now very near – and, to quote the climax of Daniel’s interpretation of the king’s dream; to be there at the time when “… the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed … it shall stand forever.” [Daniel 2:44] “Blessed are those who ...”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted October 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2016 25 October 2016 2 Chronicles 21; 22Daniel 3Acts 1 "WILL COME IN THE SAME WAY AS YOU SAW HIM GO INTO HEAVEN" Luke wrote the book of Acts, as is evident from its opening verses when you compare them with the opening verses of his Gospel. He tells us that in the 40 days before Jesus ascended to heaven he had made it plain he was alive “after his suffering by many proofs” and that he talked “about the kingdom of God” [Acts 1:3]. There is so much in the writings of the prophets about God’s kingdom, such as what we read yesterday in Daniel, that it is clearly a world wide kingdom. There is a wonderful future life awaiting genuine followers of Christ. It was only centuries later that a belief in heaven going came arose and the whole Christian message and faith became tragically corrupted. It is sad to see the attempts to support belief in heaven going when “no one has ascended into heaven except (Jesus)” [John 3:13]. There are attempts find an example of heaven going by referring to Elijah, but we see in our reading today in 2 Chronicles 21 that “a letter came to him (Jehoram) from Elijah the prophet” [2 Chronicles 21:12] stating the judgement of the LORD upon him. So Elijah had been caught up into the sky to go to another place – but he still had a role to play in the Lord’s service. There was an expectation among the disciples that now was the time when Jesus would proclaim his kingship over Israel. They asked him, “Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [Acts 1:6] – probably his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey [John 12:12-16] only 7 weeks previously was influencing their thinking. His answer is, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” [Acts 1:7] Their task, he tells them, will be to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” [Acts 1:8] The first generation received special “power” to help them preach that message; today’s generation, with God’s word available in all languages, is completing that task “to the end of the earth.” Jesus words, as recorded by Matthew, are specific, “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [Matthew 24:14] And when the end comes, let us make sure we are among those waiting for their Master, who, said the angels to the disciples as they gazed at his ascending figure, “will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [Acts 1:11]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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