Resource Manager Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 01 April 2011 Numbers 15Proverbs 11Luke 24 "DID NOT OUR HEARTS BURN WITHIN US?" One disciple said this to another, “Did not our hearts burn within us!” in a situation we are reading about today. Imagine if you had been one of the two disciples walking the pathway to Emmaus. The resurrected Jesus joined them, “but their eyes were kept from recognising him”. [Luke 24:15] He asks, “what is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad” [Luke 24:17] and they tell him all that has happened, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and in word … our chief priests and rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.” [Luke 24:19,20] To this the “stranger” replies, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that 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 Emmaus and persuade him “to stay with them” and as “he took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them… their eyes were opened and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight.” [Luke 24:30-31] This recognition probably happened when they saw his hands as be broke the bread. Then he vanished! What excited conversation followed! “Did not our hearts burn within us … while he opened to us the scriptures?” [Luke 24:32] These Scriptures would be among the ones Peter and others were to use from here on – as recorded in the book of Acts. But imagine the “burning” of their hearts that happened as the full meaning of Scripture unfolded to them. This does happen to some extent today such as when the real hope of life after death – brought about by resurrection clicks into place in our minds for the first time. Let us read the scriptures prayerfully and with the utmost diligence and expect occasions when our hearts will burn within us – at least to some degree although not as much as must have happened on the road to Emmaus. When world events are in such turmoil, especially in the Middle East, the same “burning” experience could be ours as the correct application of a prophecy suddenly becomes evident. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 02 April 2011 Numbers 16Proverbs 12Galatians 1; 2 "I AM ASTONISHED THAT ... " At the start of Paul’s letter to the Galatians he is very concerned to stress there is only one true message leading to salvation. He writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one” [Galatians 1:6,7]. Gospel – means – good news about the way of life, and understand the purpose and meaning of our lives that God has provided. We must live to please God and sense his approval of our life and attitudes of mind. A foundation for this must be to understand the message that was unfolded by the Apostles in the First Century. Through the Centuries there have been repeated attempts to change the Gospel resulting in the many different churches. Note how Paul bluntly states, “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” [Galatians 1:9]: then he adds, “For am I now seeking the approval of man or God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” [Galatians 1:10] It is our consciousness of God that matters above all else, a faulty consciousness can lead us into foolishness. There is a remarkable example of this in our Numbers [Numbers 16] reading today; there is a rebellion against the authority God had given to Moses and Aaron. A large group wanted him to share the role of leadership. They said, “all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” [Numbers 16:3], They wanted to have a share of the leadership, the human spirit of democracy was in their thinking although some of them, the Levites administering different roles in the Tabernacle already had important roles. The words of Moses that really caught our attention as he and Aaron fell on their faces in prayer was, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh “ [Numbers 16:22] Strange words that are a recognition of the remarkable power of God to know absolutely everything, he can ‘tune in’ to all minds! He must be able to do so - to hear all prayers. Like those challenging Moses, so those who develop a “different gospel” fail to realize that God is “the God of the spirits of all flesh.”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2011 03 April 2011 Numbers 17; 18Proverbs 13Galatians 3; 4 "IN THE ANGUISH OF CHILDBIRTH" Reading more of Paul’s letter to the Galatians we find him asking, “Who has bewitched you?” [Galatians 3:1]. Many of them had been persuaded to adopt the observances of the Mosaic Law. Yesterday we saw Paul’s strong emphasis that there is only one Gospel. Today’s chapters emphasize the seriousness of this. The Law had proved to be a failure because so many were seeing that had to observe days and other rituals, such as tithing, to be saved. Is this problem relevant today? Soon we will have Easter, a celebration of which the Bible has nothing to say, most observe it in a very worldly way. Paul’s says, “You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have laboured over you in vain’ [Galatians 4:10,11] “The Law”, Paul proceeds to say, “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. Easter was observed by the first followers of Christ. There is only one way believers should remember the death of Christ, that is, by partaking of bread and wine. The Church calls this the eucharist and many make a dramatic ceremony out of it with a “Father” figure officiating. This all detracts from the simplicity of it in the First Century. Paul makes an earnest appeal to those taking part to search their hearts and minds to achieve true humility and appreciation of what it means (read 1 Corinthians 11:17 onwards). What mattered above all was that they sensed 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 many had been “bewitched” by the teaching of another gospel. If Christ was really formed in them they could see God from their hearts as Moses did, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh” or, as we will read this week in Proverbs, “The spirit (mind) of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his inner most parts” [Proverbs 20:27]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 04 April 2011 Numbers 19Proverbs 14Galatians 5; 6 HE “WILL BE FILLED WITH THE FRUIT OF HIS WAYS" We know what “fruit” is – it is a key word in the above phrase which caught our eye in our Proverbs reading today, because it occurs twice – in contrasting phrases. It’s in Proverbs 14:14, “The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.” The proverb emphasises the point Paul makes in Galatians today, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he reap. 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.” [Galatians 6:7,8] The way – or aim – in life that we choose to develop our character will in the end produce a certain “fruit.” We live in a world where so many are living for the day, “the fleeting pleasures of sin.” Those who know their Bibles know that that last phrase occurs in Hebrews 11:25 to describe the situation facing Moses as he grew up seeming to be the son of Pharaoh’s daughter – what a temptation to take full advantage of that privileged position! But what would be the resulting “fruit?” Moses looked ahead; he is an example to us, especially to those whose present situation in life with its “fleeting pleasures” seems to be appealing. The problem is that the outcome of the seeds we sow are usually not immediately obvious, the “fruit” takes time to develop. Proverbs contains a “forest” of spiritual thoughts to help us to see the “fruit” that will result from our pathway in life. We should read them with the aim of picking out those that are appropriate to our personal situation. It is very helpful to print them out in large letters and put them in a prominent place which will constantly catch our eyes. Solomon quite often uses the phrase, “the fear (that is, the awe) of the LORD” This is an “awe” created by his consciousness of God – and he seems to lose it in his old age. He uses it twice in today’s chapter. “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence” and “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life that one may turn away from the snares of death” [Proverbs 14:26,27] Let us all fully consider the “fruit” that the way we live our lives will produce. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 05 April 2011 Numbers 20; 21Proverbs 15Ephesians 1; 2 "THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE IN EVERY PLACE" Modern technology is making it possible for the authorities to have “eyes” in many places. This enables them to sometimes identify and track down offenders – or issue publicity to achieve this. In the Proverbs we see the same point is made. Long before human technology came into being Solomon was conscious that “the eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch on the evil and on the good.” [Proverbs 15:3] Man is only conscious of trying, often unsuccessfully, to control the evil. However, our Creator is equally conscious of the good and our Proverbs chapter goes on to state that “the LORD … loves him who pursues righteousness” [Proverbs 15:9] Furthermore, “the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure” [Proverbs 15:26] “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous” [Proverbs 15:29] God’s attitude to the wicked has been demonstrated in our Numbers readings as so many of the people, unappreciative of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and losing their awe of God’s presence with them, failed to develop faith and trust in God and Moses and, as a result, perished in the wilderness. Think what made these people “wicked” in the sight of God! Paul calls upon the Ephesians to realize, we read today, “what is the immeasurable greatness of his (God’s) power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead” [Ephesians 1:19,20] It is impossible for us to fully understand “his power”, but it is “toward us”! We begin to see that just as God plotted out the pathways of Israel in the wilderness and gave them times of testing, so our Lord plots out our pathways. Paul learnt this and makes this point today, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” [Ephesians 2:10]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 06 April 2011 Numbers 22; 23Proverbs 16Ephesians 3; 4 "THAT IS NOT THE WAY YOU LEARNED CHRIST" The chapters in Ephesians today are a passionate plea by Paul to the believers there to see their behaviour does not slip back to what it was before they believed in Christ. Life in those days, like life today was full of distractions. He tells them, “you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and given themselves up to sensuality …” [Ephesians 4:17-19] These words also accurately describe the atmosphere in which we live today, the attitudes probably nearly all of us see around us. Modern technology highlights these attitudes, making them worse and more appealing in many cases. Paul then writes, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!” [Ephesians 4:20] He seems to doubt that their learning of Christ had effectively led to a change of behaviour for he continues, “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught … to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” [Ephesians 4:21-22]. How “deceitful” our desires can be! It is vital “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] Tragically we can be converted in our head, intellectually, while our hearts still have a great amount of fleshly inclinations. Paul then says, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which you were sealed for the day of redemption.” [Ephesians 4:30]. We have on one or two occasions in past years attended those Pentecostal type services where they convince themselves they have some special gift that enables them to have visions; it is most unconvincing! But the point that Paul makes here is that we should recognise that the Holy Spirit possesses us, rather than the other way round This is the point we have seen several times in Proverbs; that the “eyes of the LORD are in every place keeping watch …” as we quoted yesterday. Surely this is the case with those who have been “sealed” by God’s Spirit.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 07 April 2011 Numbers 24; 25Proverbs 17Ephesians 5; 6 "MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE TIME BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL" We should always make “the best use of our time”! But Paul’s comment to the Ephesians is that they should do it “because the days are evil” [Ephesians 5:16]. This shows that the time for doing worthwhile things was short; the window of opportunity for working for the Lord was not going to last for very long. Paul continues, “therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is” [Ephesians 5:17] This is a major reason why we should read the word of God every day – to understand his will, so that our minds are filled with his principles and this leads to wise actions, more essential than ever when “the days are evil.” Now note how Paul next writes of the good things that they – and we – can and should make part of our lives when we have the time to be together. He says, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart” [Ephesians 5:19]. We sing aloud, but note that last phrase “in your heart.” This shows that we must really think about and know the meaning of the words we decide to sing – for we are singing to the Lord, not just to each other! We are singing about our convictions. Jesus gave the very same warning, but he called those listening to him hypocrites and quoted Isaiah to them, “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” [Matthew 15:8]. Finally, in our other Ephesians chapter today [Ephesians 6], Paul sums up his urgent advice about the coming evil day in words so appropriate to us today, “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” [Ephesians 6:13]. A particular evil day or time of climax is certainly coming; it is what we do now that we see whether we “stand firm” or not.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 08 April 2011 Numbers 26Proverbs 18Philippians 1; 2 "THEREFORE GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM" Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the most positive of all his letters because there were fewer problems in Philippi than other places. He asks them to “complete my joy by being of the same mind … being in full accord … do nothing from rivalry and conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” [Philippians 2:2,3] This is an attitude that is completely different to normal human attitudes, the worst examples of which we see in political circles, but sadly, some measure of it also occurs amongst among those who claim the name of Christ. We read a few days ago of Paul’s lament, “I am in the anguish of childbirth until Christ be formed in you!” [Galatians 4:19]. Christ in only formed in us when we really become like Christ with a submissive attitude, this is the point he makes in this chapter in Philippians. Paul next points out the affect that Christ-likeness should have, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [Philippians 2:4] He gives Christ as the example. Jesus grew up knowing that God was his father, he showed this as a 12 year old in the temple [Luke 2:49] but, says Paul, he “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” [Philippians 2:6-8] It was because of this wonderful spirit of submission, which is an example to us, that Paul stresses what this then led to; “therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him a name that is above every name” [Philippians 2:9] So Christ is the supreme example to follow. In following his example of submissive obedience we will be rewarded as our Lord was rewarded; a reward that is completed for him when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth … and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Philippians 2:10,11] It is a great pity that in later centuries this wonderful truth became confused as a “mystery” by contorted human reasoning. Let us hold fast to the inspired words of Scripture and, in this case, the example it sets before us of a wonderful spirit of submission. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 09 April 2011 Numbers 27Proverbs 19Philippians 3; 4 "THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING" Philippians 3;4 contain many thoughts for deep spiritual meditation - if we will read them in the right frame of mind. There are also a good number of verses in Proverbs 19 today which contain principles which are very valuable in helping us meet the challenges of life in today’s world. They all link in with our need for “the peace of God” in a world which knows no peace. We especially noted these Proverbs. “Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his (or her) glory to overlook an offense.” [Proverbs 19:11] “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future” [Proverbs 19:20] “Many are the plans in the mind of a man (or woman), but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” [Proverbs 19:21] “reprove a man of understanding and he will gain knowledge” [Proverbs 19:25] “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge” [Proverbs 19:27], to which we can add, cease to read the Bible and you will be engulfed in worldly pursuits and ambitions – which while not necessarily bad – are simply an end in themselves. Paul’s words are parallel to some of these but more embracing of eternity, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ … that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” [Philippians 3:8,11] That “any means possible” must include “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” and which “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7] A component of that “peace” is rejoicing, but it is a spiritual rejoicing. Paul stresses this, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice … the Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything.” [Philippians 4:5,6] Does that sound impossible? So it is, but then again, we emphasize the words, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 10 April 2011 Numbers 28Proverbs 20John 1 “EVEN A CHILD MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN BY HIS ACTS” The above is quoted from Proverbs 20:11. It then adds, “whether his conduct is pure and upright.” It is saying that what we actually do – proves what we are really like - far more than by what we say. It is known that we “teach” by example, which is why visual aids have become so much part of teaching. Proverbs 20:7 tells us, “The righteous walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him”. They have been taught by example as well as words. 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]. It causes us to ask – did we really think through our purpose in what we have done or are doing? If we really are a person who considers our ways, a person who thinks carefully about all our intentions, then we will “draw it out” – like one who draws water from a well – but this takes time and effort. Now ponder what Proverbs 20:6 means. “Many a man (person) proclaims his (or her) own steadfast love, but a faithful man (person) who can find?” It is telling us that what we say, what we declare to be our motives, is sometimes not entirely correct; although it is not a real lie, because there is an element of truth in it. How often do we say things “with reservation?” Sometimes statements are made, and agreement requested on some matter “without reservation.” This reflects a sad state of affairs; it means we are acknowledging that so often we state our understanding or attitude about a matter, not fully meaning what we say. This should not be so among those who believe they are or aim to be children of God, as Paul wrote, “we are children of God … then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ provided …” [Romans 8:16,17] Look up the full quotation. Do fully faithful, truthful people exist? “Even a child makes himself known by his acts ” – If we start when we are children aiming to do this, there is a good chance of us being that kind of person when we become adults. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 11 April 2011 Numbers 29; 30Proverbs 21John 2; 3 "WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE IS CONDEMNED ALREADY" Today, we have one of the best known verses in the Bible in our reading in John 3. But sometimes verses which are well known can lose their power to influence our thinking. It is John 3:16 that is well known, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We have sometimes deliberately misquoted this by leaving out the words, ‘not perish, but’ and those listening have usually struggled to think of what words we have omitted. Jesus is saying what the alternative is - if we fail to believe. The ESV footnote suggests a slightly different way of translating this verse: “For this is how God loved the world …” See the point? He “gave his only Son” to show his love – and the challenge to us is whether we will respond to his action in the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross. We all know that you show you believe in something by what you do, by the difference it makes to your life. John goes on to write, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God,” he then adds, “and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest their deeds should be exposed.” [John 3:18-20] The world today is overflowing with examples of this. We will read in John 8 that Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” [John 8:34] and today the world is full of willing slaves. Looking back at today’s chapter we see that Jesus also said, “He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way.” [John 3:31] There is no middle way – and why should there be!? Let’s all make a greater effort to respond to the love of God in sending his Son into the world to light up the darkness, and realize more fully the ultimate meaningless of a life that lacks the eternal purpose that God offers to us. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 12 April 2011 Numbers 31Proverbs 22John 4 BALAAM'S REVENGE & FATE Last week we read in Numbers [Numbers 22; 23; 24] about Balaam, a man who was regarded by the Midianites of Moab as having powers of divination for evil. Balak their King wanted him to come and curse Israel for they were fearful that they would be the next nation to be overwhelmed and destroyed by them. We read in Numbers 22 how God sent an angel to stand in the way of Balaam when he was on his way to the Midianites. Balaam was forced to prophecy about future blessings for the Israelites instead of cursing them as Balak had requested. Now we learn how Balaam got his revenge on Israel. In today’s chapter [Numbers 31:16] we read that “on Balaam’s advice” the women of Midian “caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD.” There is the account in Numbers 25 of how the women “invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.” [Numbers 25:2]. A central part of this attraction was sexual immorality [Numbers 25:6-9] and 24,000 people died of the plague that God brought upon them. Balaam instigated all this. There is a lesson for today’s “congregation (ecclesia) of the LORD”. The knowledge of the LORD and his truth can be correct, but can be undermined by ungodly behaviour. Today’s chapter shows how God gave Israel the strength with a relatively small army of picked men to overcome and destroy the “kings of Midian” and in the process, “they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.” [Numbers 31:8] God’s perspective on these events is illustrated by words in today’s Proverbs [Proverbs 22] “The eyes of the LORD keep watch … he overthrows the words of the traitor” [Proverbs 22:12]. Further in the chapter are more very meaningful words for us, “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the LORD” [Proverbs 22:17-19] -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 13 April 2011 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 marvellous 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 while at the same time their opposition to him was starting to build up. 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 awhile in his light.” [John 5:33,35] They 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! And does that not happen today! Did they really believe in 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 our thoughts on this most vital question, he 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 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] See the meaning of that last comment? Their minds were centred on the here and now, human relationships and the potential for prestige; this is why the love of God was not within them. Tragic really – and tragedy was to follow. So we ask ourselves - is the love of God really within us?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 14 April 2011 Numbers 33Proverbs 24John 6 "THEN YOU SHALL DRIVE OUT ALL ... " In the book of Numbers we now read of Moses giving his final instructions to the people as the LORD directed him. The people had completed their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, all the unfaithful had died and now their children under the leadership of faithful Joshua together with Caleb and the faithful Levites would cross the Jordan to enter the promised land. It occurred to us that there is a parallel in this to what is to soon occur when Christ establishes his world-wide kingdom. Think about this. The LORD tells Moses as they are “by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan … then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.” [Numbers 33:50-52] Similarly, when God sends Jesus back to this earth it will be a time of “punishing the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” [isaiah 13:11], but it will also surely be a time of removing all the things that people “worship” today! All the things which are the equivalent of what the Canaanites had built and worshipped! Some of the things that will no longer exist are obvious; the Casinos and gaming houses for example. If TV, DVDs etc are to continue to be available, there will be a huge purging of the godless things in them that pander to human lust. Jesus said, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin” [Matthew 13:41]. When the people of Israel entered the promised land initially they were full of zeal and destroyed cities like Jericho, but they failed to complete the work and so the warning of Moses we read today came true. That which they “let remain shall be as barbs and thorns in your side and they shall trouble you” [Numbers 33:55]. It is obvious, with Christ in control as the King of the world, this will not happen in his kingdom. We need to make sure we develop a mindset now that will welcome and fully appreciate a cleansed earth. Pollution will be removed from the physical earth and also from the minds of the people. Concerning the future Jerusalem God told Jeremiah, “I will bring to it health and healing … this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth” [Jeremiah 33:6,9] How wonderful to be there!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 15 April 2011 Numbers 34Proverbs 25John 7 "IF ANYONE'S WILL IS TO DO GOD'S WILL" The Gospel of John is particularly soul stirring as we read it. We learn much detailed information about parts of the ministry of our Lord, filling some of the ‘gaps’ in the other gospels. We learn that the centre of opposition to Jesus was in Jerusalem and this began quite early – we missed noting this 2 days ago, see John 5:1,18. Today’s chapter [John 7] begins by telling us; “after this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.” In Mark we are told how “the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul …” [Mark 3:22] So, because he spent much of his time in Galilee, the growing opposition went out to try to sow seeds of opposition to him there - and anywhere else he went. Today we learn that Jesus returned to Jerusalem in the middle of the feast “and began teaching” and they “marvelled” at his teaching saying, “How is it that this man has learning when he has never studied?” [John 7:15] This means, he never did like Paul did, who was “educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law” [Acts 22:3] To this Jesus answers, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am teaching on my own authority.” [John 7:16,17] How would they know? Through having a good knowledge of the scriptures. We can make a comparison here with Christianity today where Churches have seminaries to train people for the ministry. Yet, in all our own contact with those so trained it becomes apparent that actual Bible reading forms only a minor part of their training: they are unfamiliar with many parts of it. The end of today’s chapter shows that the Jewish leaders argued that as “no prophet arises from Galilee” [John 7:52] they rejected him and all that he taught and the miracles he did. But two of what we call ‘minor’ prophets, Nahum and Jonah, had come from that area – and in any case to reason that God’s prophets had to come from particular places was human thinking. Today, just as much as in those days, if we are really serious about knowing God and the real truth about the divine message of salvation we must read His word regularly and act upon what we read after we have digested it carefully to get a correct understanding.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 16 April 2011 Numbers 35Proverbs 26John 8 "NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU" One of the best known and most quoted incidents in the life of Jesus is when “the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery” [John 8:3] and hypocritically asked him what judgement should be made. We deduce that their wily minds reasoned that if he agreed with their statement that “in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women” [John 8:5] they would carry this out and then put all the blame on him before the Roman authorities, for the Romans had taken away their right to put anyone to death – that is why later they had to bring Jesus to Pilate. If on the other hand Jesus said she should not be stoned, they would make a big point of this before all the people – saying he did not uphold the Law. They expectantly asked him, “So what do you say?” [John 8:5] He did not answer but “bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground” [John 8:6]. We are tempted to speculate what he wrote, maybe some account of her accusers sins! Then comes the sequel which most Christians know well, “he stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” [John 8:7]. The result was that “they went away one by one beginning with the older ones” [John 8:9]. Alone with the woman, Jesus asks, “ ‘has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither to I condemn you’ ” But then he adds, “go, and from now on sin no more.” [John 8:10,11] What a wonderful testimony to the mercy and compassion of Christ toward those conscious of their sins. But how is it possible to “sin no more”? Was Jesus asking the impossible? John’s First Letter provides us with some words to think about as we look at this question. He writes, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil” [1 John 3:8]. We read 2 days ago Jesus said to his 12 disciples, “one of you is a devil.” [John 6:70], he knew Judas Iscariot had sold his soul to sinful ways. Those who have not done so, but struggle with sin, should note what John writes in his epistle, “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything” [1 John 3:18-20] It is good to read the whole context of the point John is making. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 17 April 2011 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 this conundrum 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]. It was after his all night prayer (in Luke 6) that Jesus chose his 12 disciples [Luke 6:12-16]. 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 creating a harmonious team in carrying on his work after he ascended to heaven. Up until this stage there had been times of jealousy, a competition “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 maintained this wonderful oneness will be the ones to reign with him when he returns to set up his world-wide 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]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2011 18 April 2011 Deuteronomy 1Proverbs 28John 11 “ELEVEN DAYS JOURNEY FROM HOREB” Today we start reading the book of Deuteronomy. Its message is very appropriate for believers in our days because it is Moses final exhortation to the Israelites before he dies. He starts by saying, “It is eleven days journey from Horeb (where they camped before the mountain and Moses received the Ten Commandments) … to Kadesh-Barnea.” The latter place is at the edge of their promised inheritance, and from there they sent out the spies! Just 11 days journey; but instead of going on into the land, strong in faith because of all the wonders they had witnessed in escaping from Egypt their faith quickly evaporated and as a result they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. All those 20 years old and over died in that wandering. “Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, except …” (the two that had brought back a good report, and their families) [Deuteronomy 1:35-36] Also many of the Levites, who are not counted with the 12 tribes, also entered the land, such as the younger sons of Aaron; they had proved faithful. The opening 3 chapters of Deuteronomy [Deuteronomy 1; 2; 3] show Moses recounting their recent triumphs after leaving the wilderness. They defeated all the nations west of the Jordan. But this final leg of their journey saw the death of those caught up in the temptations in Moab, those whose vision was on the flesh, not on the promised land. That was the final purging of the people, then God saw them as being of a ready mind to enter the promised land. Now, can we draw a comparison to our days? We are travelling through a spiritual wilderness as this is such a godless world. How many are losing their faith and falling by the wayside, caught in the passing pleasures of this world? We can take examples from Moses, as surely Jesus did! What do we read in Hebrews? “By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible” [Hebrews 11:27]. We can endure our wilderness journey if we can see, with the eye of faith, him who is invisible. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2011 19 April 2011 Deuteronomy 2Proverbs 29John 12 "WALK WHILE YOU HAVE THE LIGHT" Those who study history know that the world has gone through horrible periods of darkness all too many times. So it is significant that Jesus says, “I have come into the world as light” [John12:46] and then adds, “so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” Those who turned to him found that “darkness” lifted from their minds as they embraced an awareness of the real meaning of life and accepted Jesus as their “shepherd” and Lord. Jesus said, “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” [John 12:35]. We can read the words of “light” but our minds must be receptive if they are to be meaningful and light floods our thoughts. We must appreciate the point Jesus made when he said, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” [John 12:25]. He meant that if we find full satisfaction in what life offers us now - then he or she will lose the opportunity to exist for ever when life on earth takes on a far greater dimension when Jesus returns. And Jesus must are seeing God’s anger as the forces of nature are unleashed in greater and greater catastrophes. Man prefers to worship Mammon, that is money, and the “feet” of that god is now crumbling rapidly. Those who “control” Mammon have to struggle more and more to maintain and show a degree of confidence in their god. There are some awesome prophecies about this. Have a look at Isaiah 24, the first 6 verses! Frightening! This punishment comes “after many days” until “the LORD of hosts reigns” (look at the last 2 verses) Any effort to shed any degree of light today is ridiculed. An example of this occurred last Sunday when a respected daily newspaper here published an article on The Bible in connection with Easter and how in Church schools it is still being taught and believed. To say the reaction was negative is an understatement! The on-line version attracted abundant vitriolic denunciation from the many who are convinced that the Bible is untrue. But note what Jesus says at the end of today’s chapter, “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.” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 20 April 2011 Deuteronomy 3Proverbs 30John 13; 14 “LOVE ONE ANOTHER JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” Love is probably the most common word in both Christian and non Christian literature. It is used in a wide range of situations with many different meanings. It is usually used in common speech today in a very casual way! Are those who read God’s word influenced by this? If we are - it will undermine our appreciation of what this word means in Scripture? In the Greek there are two different words and the one we focus on is ‘agape’ which occurs so much in the Gospel of John; he uses it 27 times; 9 times in today’s chapters [John 13; 14]. John 13 today contains a key statement of the Master, “A new commandment I have given you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [John 13:34]. So how did Jesus love them? How did he set an example? What events and words show this? He had just washed their feet and he used this as an example of how to serve one another; however to make a ritual of this would destroy the lesson. It is an example of love and humility toward one another. Jesus said, “I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.” [John 13:15]. Not many hours later he would tell them of the ultimate act of “love” soon to occur – saying “greater love has no man than this” [John 15:13] Jesus asked, “Who is the greater, one who reclines at table, or one who serves? I am among you as one who serves” [Luke 22:27] So the love that Jesus showed was one of serving, he came as a servant – but will return as a King. In serving Jesus, we must ourselves seek to show love by what we do. There will be times when we need to be gentle as he was with his disciples when they faltered, and he said “O you of little faith” [Luke 12:28]; but read Luke 12:22-31. We might think of what we want, but our heavenly Father knows what we need. He did not send anyone away, they went away themselves when they found his sayings “hard” [John 6:60,66] When John, years later, wrote his epistles he made one particular point which echoed these words of Jesus, “let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” [1 John 3:18] or as the NEB puts it, “love must be genuine and show itself by actions.” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 21 April 2011 Deuteronomy 4Proverbs 31John 15; 16 "KNOW THEREFORE TODAY AND LAY IT TO YOUR HEART" Our readings today comprise 4 chapters full of meaningful messages and lessons for us. Moses starts to pour out his heart to the people imploring them to be faithful, to fully bear in mind the tragic lessons of the last 39 years. He is about to die but his thoughts are centred on the future of these people, as Christ’s was, and this is what his final book, Deuteronomy is all about. We have some fascinating reading ahead of us in the next 4 weeks. Today we start reading about his appeal to them to keep God’s laws, “Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” [Deuteronomy 4:6] Do they say that of those who claim to follow the God of the Bible today? We should stand out ourselves as individuals with a different attitude to life in this increasingly godless world. “Take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart …” [Deuteronomy 4:9] Moses warns them of their future if they fail to do this saying “the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations …” [Deuteronomy 4:27] This happened more than once, but Jeremiah records, “But even in those days, declares the LORD, I will not make a full end of you.” [Jeremiah 5:18] Moses started his message by saying, “And now O Israel, listen to the statutes and rules I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live and go in and take possession …” [Deuteronomy 4:1] and concludes them by saying, “… know therefore and lay it to your heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath; there is no other” [Deuteronomy 4:39]. For all those who believe in God and properly believe, know there is no value in doing so unless they lay it in their hearts and show their belief in the way they live their lives as that generation who heard Moses final message did – and so entered the promised land. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 22 April 2011 Deuteronomy 5Ecclesiastes 1John 17; 18 “EVERYONE WHO IS OF THE TRUTH LISTENS …” Jesus had little to say to the High Priest who first questioned him; he simply told him, “I have spoken openly to the world, I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple” [John 18:20]. Jesus is challenging them; if I have said things that are wrong, you produce witnesses to show this! Ananias passes the problem on to Caiaphas, the High Priest. He in turn sends him to Pilate and the drama starts to reach its climax. When Pilate wants to know what he is accused of, they are evasive saying, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” [John 18:30]. They need Pilate to approve his death; we get the impression they would not stone him and risk the consequences, as they later did with Stephen. Pilate questions Jesus again, “What have you done?” [John 18:35] Jesus responds, “ …my kingdom is not from this world” He means, this world cannot give him a Kingdom, his kingdom will not come as a result of human endeavours. Jesus further perplexes Pilate by saying, “I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth.” Then he adds, “everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice?” [John 18:37]. What does he mean? In John 17, we read the prayer of Jesus [John 17:1]. “Sanctify them (his true followers) in the truth; your word is truth … for their sake I consecrate myself, that they may be sanctified in truth.” [John 17:17,19] To sanctify means to be made holy, set apart from the rest – from those who do not want to make any commitment. Only those interested in what is true really listen – and act on what they hear. The world is full of half truths and deceptions; this is evident most of all in politics. The message of Jesus is the only really important truth in the world! Pilate’s final question is - “What is truth?” [John 18:38] We suspect this is asked in a sense of ridicule, but the context gives no clear clue. Given the machinations surrounding him, one can imagine an attitude of derision – nothing is really true, everyone puts their own spin on what they say! Do we really, from the depths of our heart believe the real truth? Jesus knows!-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 23 April 2011 Deuteronomy 6; 7Ecclesiastes 2John 19 “THIS WAS MY REWARD” The wisest of kings, Solomon, reflects on what his life really achieved. In reading Ecclesiastes, we perceive his remarkable insight into the meaning and purpose, from a human perspective, of all that exists in our lives – and what does that insight reveal?. Solomon uses his wisdom to accomplish everything possible. His second chapter details this, “ … my heart still guiding me with wisdom … I made great works, I built houses and planted vineyards … made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools … had slaves … also great possessions of herds … also gathered for myself silver and gold … I got singers … many concubines … so I became great and surpassed all who were before me … whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure … this was my reward for all my toil” [Ecclesiastes 2:3-11] Note his conclusion! “this was my reward” - but note even more his next comment, “then I considered all that I had done and the toil I had expended.” What does he see as the outcome of his considerations? “Behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind.” Other versions have, “I saw everything was emptiness and chasing the wind” (NEB) “meaningless” (NIV). Solomon saw that life has no lasting substance, yet we all strive after things we can possess and experience, but at the end of the day there is nothing ‘eternal’ in what we have achieved! Solomon then declared “so I hated life” [Ecclesiastes 2:17] It seems evident he wrote this near the end of his life. He lacked the vision that his father David possessed when he wrote a Psalm and commented about “men of the world whose portion is in this life” but in the next verse stated, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” [Psalm 17:14,15] What will we be satisfied with? Ecclesiastes makes humans look in the mirror and consider their ambitions! Food for thought! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 24 April 2011 Deuteronomy 8; 9Ecclesiastes 3John 20; 21 THE RESURRECTION MORN Our readings in John this Easter Sunday are ideal, the amazement of the women who came to the tomb early. They hurried to tell the disciples, “but their words seemed to them an idle tale and they did not believe them.” [Luke 24:11] Peter and John were prompted to run to the tomb to see for themselves. John outran Peter but did not go into the tomb, but Peter, “stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves, and went home marveling at what had happened.” [Luke 24:12]. John, in his Gospel, as we read today, writes of himself as “the other disciple” - that he after Peter “also went in, and he saw, and believed.” [John 20:8] Paul indicates that Jesus made a special appearance to Peter before he appeared to the twelve [1 Corinthians 15:5]. One could imagine that happening before he got home. The appearance we know about in detail is that to Mary Magdalene. She returned to the tomb, the measure of trembling belief she had had because of the earlier words of the “two men” at the tomb had been destroyed by the refusal of the disciples to give any credence to the report of the women. They probably thought she had some kind of vision or hallucination. Mary was in a most emotional state. Again she sees the two angels who ask her, “Women why are you weeping?” It seems she is unable to feel this is real - and says amid her tears, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Through her tears she sees another man standing there, “but she does not know it is Jesus … Supposing him to be the gardener” she asks, “if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away” [John 20:13-15] Imagine that – Mary thought she could do that! It only needed one word to turn the darkness of night into the brilliance of the noon-day sun! “Mary” – she knew the so familiar caring voice. “Do not cling to me” the Master says, and we can visualise her turning and seizing hold of him. (The old version’s “Touch me not” is a faulty rendering of the Greek) Then she went and announced to the others in an utterly positive tone. “I have seen the Lord”. Imagine her state of mind now! Now imagine your state of mind when the angels come! Read Matthew 24:31-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 25 April 2011 Deuteronomy 10; 11Ecclesiastes 4Acts 1 “THE AWESOME GOD” In today’s Deuteronomy reading (in ESV), Moses goes to great lengths to stir up the minds of the people to think deeply about God and their relationship with him. This is his final exhortation before he dies. Consider the intensity of his language; it’s not just a matter of believing there is a God and that he wants you to acknowledge that he exists and make offerings to him on an altar, or, in our case, attend a weekly service. Read carefully and prayerfully these words of Moses. “What does the LORD require of you, but to fear (be in awe of) the LORD your God, 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 which I am commanding you today for your good.” [Deuteronomy 10:12-13]. God is very conscious of our attitudes, our frame of mind, his laws are for our good. Moses continues, “circumcise the foreskin of your heart and be no longer stubborn. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God.” [Deuteronomy 10:16-17]. Awesome is a sort of buzz word today among the young. Think of its fundamental meaning! It is most important, we can say it is absolutely vital that we meditate on the greatness of God. Look up into the night sky on a clear night as he asked Abraham to do. [Genesis 15:5] and meditate on the unlimited vastness of space. What is this power that we call God that is the primary cause of every single thing that exists? Awesome? What does that word really mean? It is ‘cool’ to debase words these days and play games with their meaning. But God tells us he does not change! [Malachi 3:6] In the next chapter [Deuteronomy 11] Moses tells the people, “lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul … teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise…” [Deuteronomy 11:18-19.] The subject of the reality of God’s existence is “awesome” – how much do we really talk about and discuss the reality and wonder of the God who invites us to serve him? What is it to believe in Him?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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