Resource Manager Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 01 January 2013 Genesis 1; 2Psalms 1; 2Matthew 1; 2 "THE LORD KNOWS ..." What does the LORD know? Again and again Scripture makes the point that the Creator is aware of all things “for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer” as we read in 1 Peter 3:12 last month. But Peter was quoting from Psalm 34 which we will soon read. The very first Psalm, which we read today, sees David affirming, “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous” [Psalm 1:6] – in contrast “… the way of the wicked will perish.” They will perish because they do not know, do not want to know in any detail, the ways of God – and there is no middle way – Jesus made that point very clear. The Psalms are very stimulating to the spiritual mind, we often feel it is a pity that they are all read in the first 3 months of the year. We learn of God’s ways; Psalm 18 tells us, “This God – his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” [Psalm 18:30] The way of the righteous is wonderfully described in the first 2 verses of the very first Psalm – which we read this morning. “Blessed is the man (mg. ‘godly person’) who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law (mg: instruction) of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” [Psalm 1:1-2] David is marking the stepping stones of progress in overcoming ungodly ways. First, he or she walks past such ways, then there is no chance to stop and look at such ways, still less to sit down and share a seat with them. The result is that those pursuing the way of righteousness are “like a tree planted by streams of water … in all that he (or she) does” [Psalm 1:3] they prosper – especially spiritually – and – “even though” they, like David, may have times when they “walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil., for you are with me …” [Psalm 23:4] May we all read and meditate – note the word ‘meditate’ in Psalm 73 [Psalm 73:3,6,12 ESV] - on God’s word throughout 2013 knowing that “the LORD knows the way of the righteous” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 02 January 2013 Genesis 3; 4Psalms 3; 4; 5Matthew 3; 4 "BUT BY EVERY WORD ... " Matthew 4, today's chapter, contains the account of Jesus being tempted after being “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” [Matthew 4:1] This opening verse arrests the attention of diligent readers. It seems astonishing that God’s Spirit brought about Christ’s temptations. Jesus, now that “the Spirit of God” had come “to rest on him” [Matthew 3:16] is first tempted to use that power to create “bread” [Matthew 4:3] as there is no food in the wilderness to which the Spirit has led him, and 40 days had elapsed. He showed his power to create food later when he fed the 5,000; to feed himself would have been easy. The primary lesson that jumps into our thinking as we read the 3 different types of temptation is how Jesus quotes (in each case, in rejecting temptation) words which God caused Moses to write and which we find in his book called Deuteronomy. The temptations each have a sense of unreality about them, there is for example, no “very high mountain” from which a tempter could have “showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” [Matthew 4:8] They are examples of the 3 basic types of temptation which we read of a couple of weeks ago in 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world.” How did Matthew in writing his gospel get the information about Christ’s temptations? Jesus has not yet started to call any disciples to him; not until Matthew 9:9 is their reference to Matthew being called. As we think on this we realize the disciples could only have known about his temptations through Jesus telling them! And how did Jesus teach? Much of the time he taught by parables – and these were often not of literal events. So we conclude Jesus told of his temptations in the form of a parable, the primary aim being to show he too suffered temptation (see Hebrews 4:15) and, even more, how temptations are overcome – that is the power of the narrative we read today. His mind was full of what God had caused to be written for human instruction. We especially noted his quotation to “the tempter” from Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” And that is the fundamental way in which we push fleshly temptations to one side. Is that not a primary reason why we read portions of God’s word every day? How much of God’s word comes to the surface in our thinking – when the need arises? It should do! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 03 January 2013 Genesis 5; 6Psalms 6; 7; 8Matthew 5 “THE LORD SAW THAT …” All our readings this morning provoked much thought, indeed, deep meditation. Psalm 7 is David’s’ plea for “refuge; save me from my pursuers and deliver me” [Psalm 7:1] But he also says, “if there is wrong in my hands … let the enemy … trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust” [Psalm 7:3,5]. David knew God could see all things! This included how his mind worked, his real values and priorities in life; this is the reason he was so shattered after his sin with Bathsheba, God would not let him hide his sin.. Our thoughts then focused on our Genesis reading and what God “saw”. “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Genesis 6:5] God primarily sees in humans just two different qualities – either good or evil, righteousness or wickedness, love or hate! Ways of living are tending in one or other of two directions, wheat or tares are growing and eventually produce one of 2 kinds of harvest – and what a harvest of godlessness was surrounding Noah! Is it not the same today! We are going to be part of a harvest of one kind or another. “And God saw the earth, and behold it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way…” [Genesis 6:12] We know when things are going bad, such as fruit we have bought. We see what can be saved to eat – and throw the bad away. Noah’s great grandfather Enoch “walked with God” and “God took him” [Genesis 5:24] We are not told how – or where. If God chooses not to tell us, it is pointless to ask questions. This happened just 4 years before Noah was born, the situation had now developed so that many “harsh things that ungodly sinners” had been spoken against Enoch [Jude 1:14] “loud mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” [Jude 1:16] Rings a bell with today, doesn’t it the result when God is pushed right out of our thinking. “But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD” [Genesis 6:8] God has all seeing “eyes.” Do we, do you, find favour in the eyes of the LORD? David’s Psalms show he was very conscious of the need for that to be so. Returning to Psalm 7, David writes; “judge me, O LORD …. according to the integrity that is in me … you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God … who saves the upright in heart” [Psalm 7:8-10] May we all be “upright in heart.” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 04 January 2013 Genesis 7; 8Psalms 9; 10Matthew 6 "AND THOSE WHO KNOW ..." Again, David’s Psalms command our attention. All of Psalm 9 is a marvelous overview of God’s plan and purpose with human beings and the earth. At times God transports David’s thoughts into the future when he, and those God counts as righteous, will say to their Creator, “You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins … the very memory of them has perished.” [Psalm 9:5-6] On the other side of the picture, in contrast to this vision of annihilation, the next verses say, “But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, he judges the earth with righteousness …” [Psalm 9:7-8] A marvelous summary of how the kingdom of God will function. Our Genesis reading tells us of Noah and his family in the ark and then stepping out onto a cleansed earth, all the godless having been destroyed. God promises Noah that he will never “again strike down every living creature” despite “man’s heart being evil from his youth.” [Genesis 8:21] Not many generations pass before men build the tower of Babel and as a result God “confused the languages of all the earth” and caused men to spread out “over the face of all the earth” [Genesis 11:6-9] So the renewal of belief and faith with Noah and his family did not last. Abraham’s father and brother “served other Gods.” [Joshua 24:2] We can see some comparison between Noah and his sons and the huge spiritual renewal that followed the widespread translation and printing of the Bible 300 to 400 years ago. But that renewal has now faded away and how few have the understanding and faith of Abraham to whom the Gospel was first preached (see. Galatians 3:8). The blessings to come on the nations through this gospel are David’s vision in this ninth Psalm. How marvelous is Psalm 9:10, “And those who know your name put their trust in you. For you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you” But “the nations have sunk into the pit that they made, in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.” [Psalm 9:15] To “know” is more than to just understanding, it is to have a relationship – read Psalm 95:1-7 – John 17:3 Let us seek the Lord. Those who know God, who truly believe, will make the final 2 verses of this Psalm their prayer. “Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men!” [Psalm 9:19-20] Later in Matthew we will read the words of Jesus, “whoever humbles himself will be exalted” [Matthew 23:12] God will humble those who do not humble themselves. Let us not be caught up in the spirit around us, that at last human beings are gaining all the answers to life and its meaning - that there is no need to seek God, or even believe he exists. Ponder Psalm 14.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 05 January 2013 Genesis 9; 10Psalms 11; 12; 13Matthew 7 “BUT GOD REMEMBERED … ” In Genesis we have been reading the account of the flood that wiped out all the descendants of Adam and Eve except Noah, his wife, 3 sons and their wives. Archaeologists have come across many ancient records of other nations with memories of a massive flood, although these accounts are embellished with lots of fanciful features. Both Jesus [Luke 17:27] and Peter [1 Peter 3:20] refer to the flood as an historic fact and as a lesson of God acting as a result of total ungodliness. The end of Genesis 7 tells how “the waters prevailed on the earth for 150 days” blotting out all life and covering all the mountains. The next chapter [Genesis 8] begins in an odd way in most Bibles. We read “But God remembered Noah and all the beasts …” It should not be understood as meaning God had forgotten them and suddenly remembered!! We humans sometimes do that! It is a translation of the same Hebrew word as we read 2 days ago in the Psalms, “what is man that you are mindful of him” [Psalm 8:4] We read in Malachi last week how God has written a “book of remembrance” [Malachi 3:16], those whom he bears in mind, he is the Creator who sees and knows all things. How utterly wonderful to have the Creator bear you in mind! Thus when Noah is again on dry land God makes a covenant with him that “never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” [Genesis 9:9] The rainbow is the sign to confirm this covenant – and of course the earth was not destroyed, only the people. The letter to the Hebrews praises Noah for his faith [Hebrews 11:7]. We read, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household … and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” Faith is an active principle that causes you to do things. Jesus warns us that conditions on earth when he is about to return will be like they were in Noah’s day and Lot’s day, when “they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building” [Luke 17:28] There is nothing wrong with that, but this is what they totally focussed their lives upon! Then Jesus says, “Remember Lot’s wife!” Be mindful of what happened to her [Genesis 19:26] when she was reluctant to leave that way of life. Jesus then comments [Luke 17:33] “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” How do we understand that? Well, Lot lost all that he had, and so did Noah, he did not seek to preserve that way of life, he put no value on it. Things which have everlasting value must be in the forefront of our minds – the way we live our lives will show this.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 06 January 2013 Genesis 11; 12Psalm 14; 15; 16Matthew 8 “NOTHING ... WILL NOW BE IMPOSSIBLE" In Genesis 11 we read, “now the whole earth had one language and the same words” [Genesis 11:1] and they said “let us build ourselves a city and a tower … lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” [Genesis 11:3-4] The Creators’ reaction to this is recorded as being, “Behold the people are one people, and they have all one language and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” [Genesis 11:6] So the LORD confused the languages so that they could not understand one another. As a result they scatter “over the face of all the earth” [Genesis 11:9] It is interesting that the Hebrew word for confused sounds like Babel (ESV footnote) and the Greek word for Babel is Babylon! Now, as we have seen in Revelation, Babylon is the key word used to symbolise an evil power. It is also interesting to note that the Name of God is apparently very similar in many languages, implying a common origin for this fundamental word. We note that God said, having a common language would be ‘only the beginning of what they will do.’ Now, in this 21st Century, the world is extensively overcoming the language barrier. The Internet provides automated translations, also education is world-wide and more and more in every country can read and understand basic English: when I was in Russia all the young people at the Bible School appeared to be able to do so. Another challenging thought; just before the flood, “the wickedness of man was great … every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” [Genesis 6:5]. How comparable is this with the situation today! We should therefore anticipate eventual action by God again - as Bible readers know, the teaching of Jesus and his followers include such predictions. They built a ridiculously high tower in Dubai that is 860 metres tall – a modern tower of Babel. A comment has been made that it is built near a fault line! Such locations are more prone to earthquakes. Note the prophecy in Isaiah 2:15 that “every high tower shall fall” at the time of God’s judgements? And how many high buildings are there now in the world? Most are claimed to be built so as to withstand earthquakes! Reflect on what you read in Isaiah 29:5-7 and Revelation 16:18 and similar passages.. Our Psalm reading today states, “The fool says in his heart. ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds … The LORD looks down from heaven … to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.” [Psalm 14:1-2] We pray that includes us and that all who read these words seek after God – and find him.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 07 January 2013 Genesis 13; 14Psalms 17Matthew 9 "I SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH ..." What satisfies you? Human satisfactions are only temporary – although something achieved after a big effort, like planning and building a new home, can provide a sense of satisfaction for several, if not many years. As we read the Psalms of David and reflect on the record of his life, we see how in his youth he was a sort of outcast from his family (1 Samuel 16:11; 17:28) and then an outcast because of Saul’s jealousy. But this was ‘good’ for David, because he learnt to totally rely on his God; his prayers to his Creator were the genuine outpourings of his heart. Look at how today’s, Psalm 17 starts, “Hear a just cause, O LORD, attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From your presence let my vindication come” David, in shepherding and defending his father’s flock, especially at night, more fully sensed and developed utter awe as to what God must be! This led him to compose these words - “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him …” [Psalm 8:3-4] David had developed an intense awareness and faith in God – so wonderfully evident to others as he went forward in absolute faith to face Goliath, but did many appreciate this? Returning to Psalm 17 – we see his prayer is “Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Saviour of those who seek refuge from their adversaries … from men of the world whose portion is in this life” [Psalm 17:7,14] We are surrounded by those who see this life as all they have. In most cases they are not our adversaries (at least, not in this country) but how little do we have in common (or should have) with those who are satisfied to see their lives as being totally “in this life.” However, can we do more to encourage them to see our existence from David’s and our perspective? Finally, look at the last verse, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” Utterly wonderful – beyond our comprehension … think of meeting David after the resurrection! Ponder prayerfully the prospect of being satisfied in a way that is far far beyond any comparison with this life. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 08 January 2013 Genesis 15; 16Psalms 18Matthew 10 “I ALSO WILL DENY …” Matthew’s gospel records how Jesus started training his disciples for their work when he would no longer be with them. Today, Matthew 10 starts, “And he called to him his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction.” What are “unclean spirits”? The parable in Matthew 12:43-45 illustrates that it means an unclean mind – and that there is no value in clearing out from the brain ‘unclean’ ways of thinking and then putting nothing positive in their place. Ways of thinking show themselves in resultant actions; aimless ways of thinking and doing lead to no future in this life, and, most particularly, in the future life Jesus offers; spiritual thinking are an essential part of the ‘spirit’ of our minds. Jesus gives his 12 disciples a foretaste of the powers of healing they will have when he is no longer with them: they are told to go “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick … ” [Matthew 10:6-8] He says, “if anyone will not receive you and listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house … ” [Matthew 10:14] adding, “it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah” than for that town. [Matthew 10:15] This is because the people of that town had witnessed divine power as well as hearing the divine message. God’s principle, as Jesus explained, is that “everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required” [Luke 12:48] This is why, as we will read tomorrow [Matthew 11:23], Capernaum which had witnessed so many of his miracles, would have no future. On the other hand, Sodom, where Lot went to live, and it seems witness, the destruction of which we will soon read in Genesis 19, was a city which Abraham initially thought could have “fifty righteous” [Genesis 18:24] – Jesus said the “day of judgment” will be “more bearable” for them. What about, for us? Today, with such an abundance of evidence of the intricate marvels of creation – but a widespread determined attitude to say that everything in some way, sort of created itself, what must God’s attitude be? There is no doubt as to God’s attitude! We quoted it 2 days ago from the Psalms, but it bears quoting again. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds …” [Psalm 14:1] Finally, in our chapter in Matthew, we see how Jesus bluntly states the two options; there is no middle way! “everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before by Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” [Matthew 10:32] Food for really serious thought.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 09 January 2013 Genesis 17; 18Psalms 19; 20; 21Matthew 11 " ... REJOICING THE HEART" What makes you rejoice? The last 2 weeks have seen a lot of “rejoicing” – especially among children, but David in a Psalm we read today alerted us to the nature of a far better kind of rejoicing – one that is “sweeter also than honey” – and “even much fine gold” – and we know how much value is put on gold these days! We read of this in Psalm 19:10, but from verse 7 we read “The Law of the LORD is perfect reviving the soul” [Psalm 19:7] Do you need reviving? Not physically, no, it means, mentally. Then we read, “the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” and we thought of those disciples Jesus called to follow him who were simple fishermen [Matthew 4:18-22] – becoming “wise” to the ways of God as a result - and then committing their lives to a far greater cause, though the world might still see them as fishermen. The same happens today! Psalm 19:8 – “the precepts of the LORD are right rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” We sometimes speak of ‘heart and mind’ - are they different? Yes, they are. David invites the LORD to “try me; test my heart and mind” [Psalm 26:2] The way our mind works shows whether our heart has been enlightened to embrace the real meaning of life that the testimony of the LORD (the Bible) makes known to us – only then is there true and lasting “rejoicing (of) the heart” . Psalm 19:9 “the fear (awe) of the LORD is clean (cleansing?) enduring for ever” – not just for 2013 – or even just for January! Psalm 19:11 tells us that “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Those who take notice of the warnings in God’s word of the coming judgements of God “in the last days” will still have “rejoicing” in their hearts when the rest of the world is experiencing increasing fear. Let us memorise the last verse of this Psalm of David. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” May we join David in saying that.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 10 January 2013 Genesis 19Psalms 22Matthew 12 "SO WILL IT BE AT ..." Today’s chapter in Matthew [Matthew 13] is full of Jesus’ parables, 8 in all. Some are long, like the familiar parable of the sower, some are short, even just one verse, like the parable of “the hidden treasure” [Matthew 13:44] which a man found hidden in a field and “in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” They are all parables related to “the kingdom” – how to be in it: this parable telling was beneath ‘the dignity’ of the religious leaders – don’t let them be beneath ours? Combined, and with many other scriptures, they show that a heavenly kingdom is coming on earth which will replace the kingdoms of men that presently dominate life on earth. Which kind of kingdom do we desire to be in? One parable is of weeds (tares) growing together with the good grain, they are weeds of human thinking and concepts of the meaning of life – recently termed “humanism.” We understand that only when it is near harvest time, is it easy to distinguish which is which! The reapers (angels) are told “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” [Matthew 13:30] It is plainly stated “the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Just as the weeds, are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age” [Matthew 13:39-40] Another parable is about fishing with a large net “when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So will it be at the close of the age...” [Matthew 13:48-49] The meaning of these parables is plain; we have just about reached the evil climax of the world and whereas there was only one “devil” among the 12 disciples [John 6:70] of Jesus, they abound today, teaching what Jesus did not teach and, sometimes making a good profit out of doing so! Reading on in v.49 (not quoted above) is “ … at the close of the age the angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Do you remember how – when his disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the sower – the explanation he gave of the seed sown among the thorns? Jesus said, “this is the one who hears (reads?) the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word…” [Matthew 13:22] And how true that is NOW! May that not include us. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 11 January 2013 Genesis 20; 21Psalms 23; 24; 25Matthew 13 "MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS ... " David’s meditations in the Psalms, which are essentially prayers, continually engage our thoughts. Indeed, they are a model for us to follow in judging the quality of our relationship with God. Are we able to meditate and pray in any way to the same degree? Psalm 25 has some verses that both challenge and inspire us. “Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths” [Psalm 25:4] We are asking God to ‘make’ us! What child asks a parent to ‘make’ him or her be good? And that not just once, but constantly, as a way of life! The next verse has, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” David is asking God to ‘lead him’ and ‘teach him.’ The Hebrew for “lead” is rather interesting – it occurs again in Psalm 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right.” The AV has ‘guides’ – but the Hebrew also has the sense of bending the bow to ‘guide’ the arrow fitted to it. David uses it first in Psalm 7:12, “If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow” In Psalm 11:2 David says, “behold, the wicked bend the bow … to shoot … at the upright in heart” The purpose in bending the bow, is to do it in a way that it will ‘guide’ the arrow fitted to it - to its intended destination. The aims of God and the aim of the ungodly are opposite extremes. Also in Psalm 25:5 we noted the words, “for you I wait all the day long.” What is the ‘sense’ of wait? The word also occurs in Psalm 25:3, “Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame.” Psalm 25:21 says, “May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee” There has to be a quality of character in our waiting, and are we not waiting for the return of Christ!? The Hebrew original word here for WAIT is most interesting, in Psalm 69:20 it is translated, “I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.” When you are waiting you are looking for something or someone! How fascinating then, is the first time this word is used in Hebrew; we found it in Genesis 1:9! “And God said, let the waters under the heavens be gathered together and let the dry land appear.” We are waiting for our Lord to be gathered together to be with him. Finally we can use Paul’s words, they are so parallel to David’s. In 2 Thessalonians 3:5 “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ.” (AV) The ESV has “to the steadfastness of Christ.” Let us be steadfast in our patient waiting, aiming for “integrity and uprightness.”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 12 January 2013 Genesis 22; 23Psalms 26; 27; 28Matthew 14 "TAKE HEART, IT IS I" Our chapter in Matthew [Matthew 14] has that fascinating story of the 12 disciples caught in a storm in a boat on Galilee. Jesus had sent them off alone, after the dramatic feeding of 5,000+ “in a desolate place” [Matthew 14:13] - an event which must have astonished them. Jesus had heard of the killing of John the Baptist – a heart searching omen for him – and finally he had the chance to be alone “up on the mountain by himself to pray” [Matthew 14:23] The disciples were in the boat, “but the boat by this time was a long way from land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.” [Matthew 14:24] We can see a kind of parallel here – with ourselves alone in the world – and everything is buffeting us and our faith is struggling. Suddenly they see Jesus but “they were terrified” [Matthew 14:26] What are we expecting to see as we live in these last days when the world is in increasing turmoil? Different things are buffeting us – maybe fires that are out of control – maybe a financial mess; things we had relied upon are suddenly uncertain. We have no clear picture of the final climax, the many passages of Scripture that describe the final climax of the kingdoms of men do not easily fit together. Those alive then – and that could be all, or at least most who are reading this, must look and listen for his voice. “Take heart, It is I. Do not be afraid” [Matthew 14:27] When Jesus is in the boat all will become calm and what wonder then will follow. Make sure you are in the boat NOW.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 13 January 2013 Genesis 24Psalms 29; 30Matthew 15 “WHAT… DEFILES A PERSON” The world today is very conscious of cleanliness. When you go to the Doctors, he or she will thoroughly wash their hands before they examine you, but they only learnt to do this 150 years ago. They also learnt this was the reason why some of those they operated on had died. The value of the cleanliness laws in the commands God gave to Moses was then acknowledged. These laws stressed the great importance of washing the body and clothes especially when exposed to anything unclean, see for e.g. Leviticus 14:8-9; 15:13 etc. Today soaps and other cleansing agents are strongly marketed: this is good, except for the fancy high priced varieties produced, we suspect, with a profit motive. Jewish Priests in the days of Jesus had turned cleanliness into a ritual that made them feel more righteous (see Luke 11:37-41). And they criticised Jesus for letting his disciples eat with unwashed hands [Mark 7:2-5]. In our reading of Matthew 15 today Jesus calls them hypocrites and said, “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” [Matthew 15:7-9]. He then called people to him and said, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth” [Matthew 15:11]. His disciples query him as to what he means by this; he tells them, “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person” [Matthew 15:18-20] The thought comes first, then the deed follows. Our world is full of this kind of defilement. Before every wrong doing comes wrong thinking. TV, DVD’s and many magazines feed human minds, defiling them, making them inclined to think and imagine fleshly godless actions. More people, especially the young, are turning thoughts into actions emulating what they feed their minds on – the extreme examples are the senseless shooting rampages. Sources of defilement are everywhere today making it more essential than ever to feed our minds with the word of God every day – and it must be a balanced meal, not just reading the bits we like and which may not challenge our consciences. Jesus condemns those whose distorted application of the divine revelation “have made void the word of God.” [Matthew 15:6]. Let us be fully awake to what can defile us and read God’s word with a sincere heart..-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 14 January 2013 Genesis 25; 26Psalms 31Matthew 16 “ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD …” In ancient times a rock symbolized something secure and God was the ultimate rock! David wrote in the Psalms, as we read 2 days ago, “To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me” [Psalm 28:1] He also pleads with God, “when my heart is faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” [Psalm 61:2] In today’s reading in Matthew, Jesus seems to call Peter a “rock” [Matthew 16:18], but read the context carefully; among the people there is increasing speculation as to who Jesus is – and he asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am? [Matthew 16:15] Peter declared, ‘You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” [Matthew 16:16] This declaration is the “rock”! The possession of true insight and real faith. It is “on this ‘rock” says Jesus, “that I will build my church and the gates of hell (hades, i.e. the grave) will not prevail against it” [Matthew 16:18] It is true faith that makes death but a sleep with a wonderful waking – as David believed – see Psalm 17:15. We recall it was Jesus who added the name ‘Peter’ to Simon [Luke 6:14] when he called him to be a disciple. The name Peter means a rock – petros. Yet human rocks have to prove themselves; Jesus was, and still is, looking for such rocks; those who have the true insight of faith – on which “I will build my church” [Matthew 16:18] As the early chapters of the book of Acts reveal Peter became the rock around which the first community of believers in Jerusalem was built. But before then he failed disastrously! The next verses tell us that “from that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem … and be killed.” Peter reacted in an astonishing way; he “began to rebuke him, saying ‘Far be it from you Lord! This shall never happen to you.’” [Matthew 16:22] Jesus responded by saying “to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me … you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” [Matthew 16:23] The “set” of our minds is vital! If they are wrong we end up being opposed to God and to Jesus. At the end of his life the set of Solomon’s mind became wrong and God raised up “adversaries” to him and this word in the Hebrew is the word ‘satanas’ as in 2 Kings 11:14,23,25, which names the ‘Satans’ that opposed Solomon. Those who develop a true faith become, in Christ’s eyes, a ‘rock’ on which, even today, he can build. Let us make sure the ‘set’ of our minds is on godly ways with a readiness to become a ‘rock’ with a true faith in his service – and never a satan. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 15 January 2013 Genesis 27Psalms 32Matthew 17 "FOR WHEN I KEPT SILENT” Psalm 32 today is an intimate exchange of words between David and God; it is one of the most personal of all the Psalms – just 11 verses, but so powerful! The first 7 are by David and the remainder; God’s response. How meaningful! Remember Paul’s comment on God’s words, , “They were written down for our instruction, on who the end of the ages has come,” [1 Corinthians 10:11] We are surely living in the final end of the ages”! The first verse declares, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” David recognises that “the LORD counts no iniquity”, (in the one) in whose spirit is no deceit.” [Psalm 32:2] His next words are, “For when I kept silent … day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up …” [Psalm 32:3-4] The world is full of deceit and efforts to avoid any penalty for wrong-doing; does this influence us? Any sense of “guilt” is pushed out of sight, out of mind. But it is David who sets us the example, he says to God, “I acknowledged my sin to you… you forgave … my sin … you preserve me from trouble… you surround me with shouts of deliverance” [Psalm 32:5,7] Then comes God’s answer, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding … or it will not stay near you.” [Psalm 32:8-9] The Bible, so wonderfully preserved and so readily available to us provides us with Divine instruction, we have only ourselves to blame if we are “without understanding”. May we all fully sense that “steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD” and so “Be glad … rejoice … and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! [Psalm 32:10-11] It is only when we keep “silent” that our hearts fail in uprightness. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 16 January 2013 Genesis 28; 29Psalms 33Matthew 18 "IT IS NECESSARY THAT ... " Certain things are necessary in our lives such as clothing to wear and food to eat. Note how Paul made the point to Timothy “if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” and “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” [1 Timothy 6:6,8] What hinders our contentment? Now in today’s chapter of Matthew [Matthew 18] Jesus told his disciples, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin. For it is necessary that temptations come …” [Matthew 18:7] Why is it necessary? Wouldn’t it be better if believers lived protected lives without anything tempting us? No, it wouldn’t! When we make things we test them to make sure they are strong enough to be used for the purpose for which we made them. It maybe that some part will break off! If that makes it useless, then we throw it away. But often, even with a part broken off there is still a good use for it – and that is the point behind Jesus’ parable that “if your hand or your foot causes you to sin , cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” [Matthew 18:8] We may have a special aptitude or talent, but if it has no spiritual value – but rather, the opposite, then we should push it out of our lives. Let us use make full use of the talents and opportunities we have – and not fret about others, and our failures, and be in danger of being useless to God.. Once again our Psalms reading [Psalm 33] is valuable - Psalm 33:10 refers to our time and is very applicable, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” And so efforts to achieve peace between nations and peoples are getting nowhere – as are efforts to take action to stop or at least minimize global warming. God is not only ignored – most push out of their minds any thought as to his existence. Does that influence you? Note the great truth of Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” The words of Jesus we read and thought about illustrate the elements of behaviour that really count – “but it is necessary” that chosen vessels are tested as to their worthiness. Are you passing the test? May we all be among those whom he chooses – may we help each other to pass the test.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 17 January 2013 Genesis 30Psalms 34Matthew 19 “DO YOU BEGRUDGE MY …” The last 2 verses of today’s chapter in Matthew can be puzzling if we do not realize the chapter break is wrongly placed and the context includes the next chapter. The end of chapter 19 records Jesus as saying, “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” [Matthew 19:29-30] The lesson Jesus is teaching becomes clear in his next words at the start of Matthew 20. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master … who went out early … to hire labourers for his vineyard … for a denarius a day” There follows the details of going out again at “the third hour … the sixth hour … the ninth hour … the eleventh hour.” [Matthew 20:1-7] In the evening payment is made “beginning at the first” [Matthew 20:4] and they all receive the same payment [Matthew 20:10] regardless of how long they have worked. Those who had “borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat” [Matthew 20:12] complain. Matthew 20:15-16 put the matter into focus from the divine point of view, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? So the last will be first, and the first last.” The disciples are going to labour in the “scorching heat” of the day, this is a lesson for them. But beware of looking at the situation from the opposite perspective! Could we be tempted to think to ourselves, ‘As long as we get to the service on most Sundays, that is all I really have to do’? Look back at the first passage quoted above, Jesus says, “everyone who has left … for my name’s sake will receive …” It evidently means, everyone who has given first consideration to me and the needs of my vineyard as they live their lives – and done things, according to their ability and opportunity (and this includes making opportunities) “will receive….” Let’s put this alongside another saying of Jesus in Luke 12. First note Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” and then “everyone to whom much was given, of him (or her) much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” [Luke 12:48] Much food for thought for us today – how much has been given to me – to you?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 18 January 2013 Genesis 31Psalms 35Matthew 20 " ... AND FOLLOWED HIM" Why did people follow Jesus? We know his disciples did, because he called them to do so, but others? We had an example in today’s chapter in Matthew, “there were two blind men sitting by the roadside” [Matthew 20:30] who cried out when they were told Jesus was passing by, “Lord, have mercy on us, ‘Son of David’” To call him ‘Son of David’ meant they acknowledged him as the Messiah. “Jesus called them and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ With what sense of potential wonder would they have replied, “Let our eyes be opened.” [Matthew 20:33] Jesus reacted – “in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight.” And what did they do then? They “followed him” [Matthew 20:34] This was in contrast to others; nine of the 10 lepers he healed did not even return to express their gratitude! [Luke 17:15-18] and when the people came to see the madman who Jesus healed “clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid … and they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.” [Mark 5:15-16] The loss of the pigs dominated their thinking. What dominates our thinking? Our world is full of spiritually blind people and others with the leprosy of sinful godless ways; just a few are like the Ephesians, who, Paul said, have had “the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance” [Ephesians 1:18] But few have such “eyes” – Peter’s experience was just like our world; in his last letter he wrote of those who “have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed” [2 Peter 2:14] Two days ago in Matthew 19 we read the answer of Jesus to the “man who came up to him, saying ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” [Matthew 19:17] But it is not achieved by a ‘one off’ good deed is it! This man was wealthy, and he needed to get rid of that in which he trusted, so Jesus told him, “… go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” [Matthew 19:21] That was not the answer he was looking for “he went away sorrowful”. What answer are we looking for? Hopefully we have found that answer and are among those who “followed him” making our lives count in some meaningful ways, according to our abilities, in the way we follow him. A last thought – returning to our quote from Peter – we noted his words, “whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” [2 Peter 2:19] Let us be enslaved to Christ, it is not possible to be only half committed. (Note the verses which follow in Peter) -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 19 January 2013 Genesis 32; 33Psalms 36Matthew 21 "PEOPLE PRODUCING IT’S ..." We read today of the triumphant arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the adulation that the ordinary people gave him, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [Matthew 21:9] “The whole city was stirred up …” [Matthew 21:10] We pondered the comparison of this with his return to earth. What is, we wondered, the answer to the question Jesus posed at the end of another parable, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” [Luke 18:8] The focus of our thinking, after reading today’s chapter, was in understanding the attitude of mind he will be looking to see. From Matthew 21:33-45 we read his parable of the tenants in the vineyard – the lesson he was teaching is clear. The Jewish nation up to that time had had the responsibility of looking after God’s vineyard - but they had failed their responsibilities. After listening to this parable “they perceived he was speaking about them” [Matthew 21:45] and so, in their generation the parable of their failure as tenants of God’s vineyard was fulfilled – “He will put those wretches to a miserable death” [Matthew 21:41], Forty years later Jerusalem, its Temple and the nation were no more. But Jesus added: “and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits …” And so, after Jesus left the earth his disciples set about fulfilling this, their role – and in their generation succeeded, greatly helped when Christ called Paul to be an apostle. But most in the generations that followed fell into the same trap of ‘self-importance’ as the Priests had done. However, history shows there was renewed zeal and Christ-mindedness among those striving to be worthy “tenants” when God’s word was printed for all to read. But nowadays? Are today’s tenants in God’s vineyard any better than those against whom Jesus told this parable? The kingdom is only for those “people producing its fruits” [Matthew 21:43] the rest “will be broken to pieces” [Matthew 21:44] when he comes! It will be too late then to realise they have not kept “the narrow way.” We prove we are on the right path, serving the LORD in his vineyard when we produce the right kind of fruit and profess the same message of hope Jesus taught – also show we have taken his character into our hearts and made it ours. Read James 3:12-18.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 20 January 2013 Genesis 34; 35Psalms 37Matthew 22 “BE NOT ENVIOUS OF …” The world today puts a great lot of effort and money into marketing goods and services. The internet, radio, TV, newspapers magazines and sign boards are full of promotions of one kind of thing or another. A fundamental aim of the majority of this promotion is to make us envious of what other people have or experience – the aim is to make us want it ourselves! Now David’s Psalm [Psalm 37] today is very special, it is full of spiritual advice to those who aim to live in a godly way in contrast to the attitudes in our world of 2013. David says, “I have been young and now I am old” [Psalm 37:25] so these are words of reflection at the latter end of his life. He starts by saying [Psalm 37:1] “be not envious of wrongdoers” because they, like the grass, have no future. In another Psalm we read, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” [Psalm 73:3] So David had to learn the right attitudes in his life’s experiences, like we do. . But it is not just a matter of avoiding doing wrong, or not being envious of the successful: note what David also says in today’s Psalm, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way” [Psalm 37:7] It is a real challenge to “be still” in the sense that is meant here – in a world that is so active in experiencing and doing everything possible – it is a hyperactive society today. How much are you being swept along by it? Is it affecting you sub-consciously? The awareness the Lord gives David, leads him to see a time when “the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” [Psalm 37:11] Our Lord Jesus repeats this and applies it to inheriting the entire earth! [Matthew 5:5] We need this awareness, if we are to effectively counteract temptations to take part in as much of this world’s spirit of living – without actually engaging in wrongdoing. David says, “the Lord laughs (mocks) at the wicked for he sees that his day is coming” [Psalm 37:13]. Now note Psalm 37:30-31, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” An essential foundation for that kind of thinking and living is achieved today by those who regularly read the word of God, and really think about what they read: may that include all who are reading this.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 21 January 2013 Genesis 36Psalms 38Matthew 23 “FILL UP, THEN THE …” As his ministry was reaching its climax our Lord most bluntly confronted the religious leaders in Jerusalem. In today’s reading [Matthew 23] he calls them “hypocrites” “blind guides” and “children of hell”. He says they concentrate on outward appearances “but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” [Matthew 23:25] His words stirred up their hatred of him, which had increased when they saw the adulation he received as he entered Jerusalem on the donkey. As a result they are now even more determined to destroy him. What is most interesting is that seven times in this chapter Jesus says “Woe to you” [Matthew 23:13,15,16,23,25,27,29] The hidden sevens in the Bible are interesting, as we have noted in Revelation. It seems especially significant when he says, “Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape … all these things shall come on this generation.” [Matthew 23:32,33,36] The same Greek word is used in Matthew 13:47-50 when Jesus told the parable of the net being “thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age …” – the age in which we live. Jesus is using a way of speaking that God used through the prophet Joel; speaking then of gathering in a grape harvest, to indicate the overflow of his anger on the nations “ … the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great … for the day of the LORD is near … and the heavens and the earth quake … so you shall know that I am the LORD your God.” [Joel 3:13,14,16,17] The main application of Joel’s prophecy is to our world today! How close is our world to being “full”? The amount of godlessness is starting to overflow! A fearful repetition of God’s punishment on the ‘Jewish world’ that rejected Jesus is nearly upon us – but this time it is a godless world that has turned away from any belief in God and his word! Remember the final message of Jesus we read last month, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth … they (the angels) were told not to harm (true believers) … only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” [Revelation 8:13; 9:4] How can those who do not read the Bible and fear God have any hope of having the seal of God on them Let us make sure we have that seal. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 22 January 2013 Genesis 37Psalms 39; 40Matthew 24 "I HAVE NOT HIDDEN ..." All of our 4 chapters today are really thought provoking; David’s emotional Psalm 40 captured our attention, it starts, “I waited patiently for the LORD” – and isn’t that what we are trying to do! But we cannot wait, standing still, as if to catch a bus! David has many things to rejoice about because of the relationship he has established with God. “He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and (as a result) put their trust in the LORD”’ [Psalm 40:3] He says, “I have told the glad news of deliverance …” [Psalm 40:9] “I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed …” [Psalm 40:10] The faith David had in the reality of God’s involvement in his life and in the ultimate future was evident to those around him. – he sets us a meaningful example, let us be able to say, “I have not hidden your deliverance …” We read in Matthew 24 the message and warnings of Jesus to his disciples that “the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all …” [Matthew 24:14] The disciples had the responsibility to start on this work, but Jesus warns, “many will come in my name … and they will lead many astray.” [Matthew 24:5] And so it happened – and is still happening. Let us be faithful to the original message of salvation – and an essential part of making sure we possess the real spirit of faithfulness is to read the Bible every day – and be faithful to what we read. This means being faithful to the true, the original, message – and – equally important – the spirit in which we must live our lives, the character (of Christ) others will see in us. Then we can, with all our heart, say with David, “I have not hidden your deliverance …” -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 23 January 2013 Genesis 38Psalms 41; 42; 43Matthew 25 "YOU KNOW NEITHER THE DAY, NOR THE HOUR" Today we have 3 parables in our chapter in Matthew [Matthew 25] which all convey fundamentally the same lesson. The fact that there are three shows how extremely important the message is. Those who read the Bible regularly will know them well; we must beware of knowing them too well, lest the message loses its power to stir our conscience. The first one is of the 10 virgins; half are called “wise.” What made them “wise” as they waited in the darkness for the cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” The wise had brought a reserve of oil for their lamps. What does the oil represent? Our conclusion is – it represents “faith”, how terrible to run short of or completely out of faith when the midnight cry is heard. Faith cannot be second-hand, it cannot be replenished in a moment. The second parable is about talents the Master gives to his servants to use while he is away. They represent, we suggest, the abilities and opportunities to represent the Master in his absence. The final parable is of sheep and goats and of “his glorious throne” when the Master returns. Then, and only then, will it be made plain for all to see which are sheep and which are goats – in the Middle East they look very similar. The goats will be blind to their failings, “Lord” they will say “when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?” [Matthew 25:44] And he will say, “Truly … as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” [Matthew 25:45] Put as simply as possible – this is telling us – we are either Christ-centred – or self-centred. We must ask ourselves – am I labouring effectively in his vineyard – or not. It seems to many of our age group (as great grandparents) that the Lord is delaying his coming – but the reason is that the final ingathering is not yet quite complete (see Luke 14:22-23 “still there is room. And the Master said, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges … that my house may be filled”) So let Christ’s challenging words at the end of his parable about the virgins ‘illuminate’ our minds “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day not the hour” This request is more important than ever – for the storm clouds illuminating human helplessness are greater than ever – and the wise virgins need to be together whenever they can. But what are they to “watch” for? We will read tomorrow of Jesus in the garden with his disciples and his request, “…watch with me … Watch and pray …the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.”” [Matthew 26:40-41] Meditate on the kind of watching Jesus was referring to.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 24 January 2013 Genesis 39; 40Psalms 44Matthew 26 "UNTIL THAT DAY WHEN ..." Our Matthew reading [Matthew 26] recounts the agonies of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and his prayers. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.” [Matthew 26:39]. Jesus made his “will” conform to his Father’s will. And what of our “will”? Peter was to later write of how Christ, in his commitment to his Father’s will “suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” [1 Peter 2:21] Before Jesus and his disciples went into the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus directed them to prepare for a Passover meal on “the first day of unleavened bread” [Matthew 26:17] Then we read, “Now as they were eating Jesus took bread …” - next “he took the cup …” [Matthew 26:26-27] and spoke of a “covenant … for many for the forgiveness of sins” [Matthew 26:28] The disciples must have been perplexed at his words, but there is no indication they asked him to explain. But this takes our minds forward to meditate on the record in Acts 2 and the events on the day of Pentecost and “the breaking of bread” [Acts 2:42] that then followed. With what intense meaning would the disciples and all who had just been baptised have taken part! We presume the disciples would earlier have done so after his resurrection and ascension, although there is no record of this – we meditate on the intensity of meaning as they did! How does it compare with ours? The disciple would also remember that their Master said, after the command to “Drink, all of you” that he then said, “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” [Matthew 26:29] This event is beyond our comprehension – just as what was about to happen was beyond theirs. Could someone like the Apostle Paul grasp the wonder to come? Take note of his words in 1 Corinthians. “ ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God.” [1 Corinthians 2:9-10] But for us “until that day when …”- and our faith is turned to sight and the Spirit which is “the powers of the age to come.” [Hebrews 6:5] is poured out on the faithful who will reign with him – may we be like the Thessalonians whose “faith is growing abundantly” [2 Thessalonians 1:3] to create adequate oil in our lamps as this world becomes an ever darker place. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 25 January 2013 Genesis 41Psalms 45Matthew 27 "YOU ARE THE MOST HANDSOME ..." After reading Psalm 45 we meditated on what makes a person handsome. As the Psalm proceeds it becomes evident that several verses are prophetical of our Lord. Psalm 45:6-7 are quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9. In the Psalm they read, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: the sceptre of your kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions” This puts the relationship between the Almighty and his Son in its true perspective. But is Psalm 45:2-3 also prophetical of Jesus? “You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh O mighty one, in your splendour and majesty.” This is in contrast to Isaiah 53 which is so evidently prophetical of the Lord, that “he has no form or majesty that we should look to him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” [isaiah 53:2] The solution to this contrast is two-fold, the words that follow in the Psalm, “you are the most handsome” are - “grace is poured upon your lips therefore God has …” This reminds us of Peter’s words, “let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” [1 Peter 3:4] God will reward this kind of beauty. We read yesterday how – because “Joseph was handsome in form and appearance” [Genesis 39:6] it proved to be to his disadvantage – but today we saw a contrast when “they quickly brought him out of the pit.” [Genesis 41:14] and when he had shaved and had new clothes he was brought before Pharaoh. Exalted to a position of honour before Pharaoh, did not these developments foreshadow in type, first the humiliation and then the exaltation of Christ. They also foreshadow the experience of true believers who, especially in certain parts of the world, struggle with opposition against the true way of life in Christ. This opposition is spreading as, even in this country, the Government is more inclined to pass permissive laws and seek to punish those who ignore them and even speak against them. Paul’s words to the Romans should be engraved on our minds: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable …” [Romans 12:2] Our daily reading of God’s word enables us to properly perform the “testing” and become “handsome” in mind and be ready for the time when our Lord will “gird (his) sword”.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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