TFTBR - March 2014

[Resource Manager]

01 March 2014

Leviticus 5; 6
Psalms 105
1 Corinthians 14

“HIS JUDGMENTS ARE IN ALL THE EARTH”

Our Psalms reading [Psalm 105] stresses that God is fully conscious of all that happens among his creation. Many examples are given that illustrate the reality of what Paul told the Athenians, that God “is actually not far from each one of us” [Acts 17:27] that “we have our being” within the Divine presence and, as Job expressed it, “In his hand is the life of every living thing” [Job 12:10] Look at some of the illustrations of this in today’s Psalm, note how it tells us to “seek the LORD and his strength; his presence continually.” [Psalm 105:4]

We do not have to travel to seek his presence, we need to start each day by doing that: we need to “remember the wondrous works that he has done.” [Psalm 105:5] These works are seen, both in creation, and in the wonderful way “all things work together” (see Romans 8:28) to achieve God’s purpose. This is seen in history; David reminds us of “his miracles, and the judgments he uttered” to the “offspring of Abraham” [Psalm 105:5-6]. But it is not just with Israel that God is involved, “his judgments are in all the earth” [Psalm 105:7] and the full reality and climax of this will be seen when Jesus returns.

The detail of the divine involvement in human life is made clear in our Leviticus reading [Leviticus 5; 6]. We read of more of the divine laws being put in place to cause the nation being formed in the wilderness to become a genuine “”holy nation” [Exodus 19:6]. Sadly, they failed in this. David and his son Solomon did their best in their days to lead the people into becoming a holy nation. Then God’s son came to inspire people to develop personal holiness. The aim must be, as we will read next week in Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians, to “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” [2 Corinthians 7:1]

In our chapter today Paul is urgently encouraging them to “let all things be done for building up … for God is not the author of confusion but of peace …” [1 Corinthians 14:33]. Confusion comes when God’s word is not read properly – we should not pick and choose the parts which suit us, fully realizing that when “his judgments are in all the earth” when Christ returns, “then each of us will give account of him(her)self to God.” [Romans 14:12] Let us “seek … his strength and “his presence continually.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

02 March 2014

Leviticus 7
Psalms 106
1 Corinthians 15

"IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE"

We pondered why the above saying rather suddenly occurs in today’s very moving and oft quoted 1 Corinthians 15. Parts of this chapter are often read at funerals, it contains a powerful testimony to the certainty of resurrection and that “in Christ shall all be made alive” [1 Corinthians 15:22] eternally “at his coming” adding the qualification “those who belong to Christ” [1 Corinthians 15:23]

We must not cease to “belong to Christ” but that is not the same as belonging to a group of believers, one can do that, but in one’s heart have ceased to belong to Christ – even though we have been baptised. Paul says that among the Corinthians, “some have no knowledge of God, I say this to your shame” [1 Corinthians 15:34] He writes this immediately after making the point, “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.”

We are surrounded by people who do not believe in the God of the Bible, but that is not the same as having “no knowledge of God” in the sense Paul meant in this chapter. Look how the Bible uses this phrase. Read Proverbs 2:1-5 and note the “ifs” that lead to one having a “knowledge of God” and then the prayer of Jesus in John 17:3, 25. In these and similar passages we see that in having a “knowledge of God” we must, as a result, have a real relationship with him.

It is “bad company” that will undermine our “knowledge of God” and then destroy that relationship or prevent it ever happening. But what is “bad company?” Today it occurs in dangerous and new ways. Television provides us with “company” and much of it qualifies as “bad company”! As we see badness multiplying in the world – often all around us – we recognise that TV is a powerful influence in this. As a result human behaviour is displaying more and more selfish self-love and animal like instincts. Over and above the effects of much that is on TV, most now have regular access to the Internet – which offers a whole range of opportunities for even worse “bad company.”

Returning to our chapter we notice the last 2 verses, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved … be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” [1 Corinthians 15:57-58]
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

03 March 2014

Leviticus 8
Psalms 107
1 Corinthians 16

“LET THEM THANK THE LORD FOR …”

Four times in our Psalms reading today [Psalm 107] we come to a verse that requests a certain action. “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love , for his wondrous works to the children of men.” [Psalm 107:8,15, 21, 31]. Then the Psalm ends with the statement, “Whoever is wise let him attend to these things: let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.”

So in being “wise” we get our minds to understand and appreciate the actions of the LORD in attending to – or responding to – the actions or inaction of human beings in the way they live their lives in the sight of God, whether they “see” their Creator – or blindfold themselves – or are simply indifferent toward him.


When you think about it there are clear comparisons to that of children toward their parents as they grow up. And of course there is often considerable failure,, especially these days, in the “wisdom” of human parents in the way they train their children, But we are dealing with the wonderful divine parent, isn’t this the reason why we call him our “Heavenly Father.”

Psalm 107:17 states, “Some were fools through their sinful ways and because of their iniquities suffered affliction.” We can see parallels in these words with life today. Our world has totally ceased to look to God’s word; they have more or less abandoned belief in him and so the time will come, as verses 26, 27 tells us,when “their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.” [Psalm 107:26-27]

This is the spirit that is starting to ‘swamp’ our world more and more; with what astonishment will the world see divine action taking place to prevent humans from destroying God’s creation and, in the process, themselves. The prophets warn of God’s ultimate actions, for example through Jeremiah he speaks of the time coming when “the LORD has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh … Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold disaster is going forth from nation to nation …” [Jeremiah 25:31-32]

At that time as verse 42 of our Psalm states, “The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.” [Psalm 107:42] Let us make sure we are among those who “thank the LORD … for his wondrous works” in bringing peace out of utter chaos.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

04 March 2014

Leviticus 9; 10
Psalms 108; 109
2 Corinthians 1; 2

"I WILL BE GLORIFIED"

‘Sanctified’ means recognized as holy, set apart from the commonplace; treating a situation or place with all reverence. Above all, this must be our attitude toward God. In our Leviticus reading today we see the dramatic and disastrous result of a failure to do this.

Imagine being there with all the wonder of the tabernacle and the manifestation of the actual presence of God as worship in it began! We read “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offerings … [Leviticus 9:23-24]. As a result human attitudes of reverence and humility should have been paramount. The reaction at the time was totally understandable, “they shouted and fell on their faces” [Leviticus 9:24].

Aaron had 4 sons, all were involved in assisting their father and today’s chapter tells us how tragedy overwhelmed two of them. In the way we speak today we might judge that their position of importance went to their head! Nadab and Abihu “each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD which he had not commanded them” [Leviticus 10:1]

The result was terrifying for they “died before the LORD” as fire from him “consumed them” [Leviticus 10:2] Moses then says to Aaron, “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified” [Leviticus 10:3]

There is a vital lesson here for everyone who seeks to serve God and have a close relationship with him: this applies to Christians just as much as to Israelites. Several examples of a failure to do this come to mind. One is the practice of christening of babies in many churches which is not mentioned in the Bible – or even hinted at – instead the followers of Christ practiced baptism, which is described as “an appeal to God for a good conscience” [1 Peter 3:21] Another, is the teaching of people of a “different gospel” to “distort the gospel of Christ.” [Galatians 1:6-7] Paul says, “let him be accursed” [Galatians 1:9] who does that – and this is what happened to two of the sons of Aaron. A most important lesson for us as we follow Christ and the Apostles, doing so in ways which truly follow the example they set and the words they preached.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

05 March 2014

Leviticus 11
Psalms 110; 111; 112
2 Corinthians 3; 4

“WE WALK BY FAITH”

What interesting and, in some ways, challenging readings we had this morning: first, we read of the detailed guidance given in Moses’ law as to what could be eaten – and what avoided. Also – what happened to make articles of wood, garments and vessels “unclean” and whether cleansing was possible. [Leviticus 11:32-35 &c] Here is valuable advice on hygiene which were not re-discovered until less than 200 years ago. But spiritual hygiene is even more important!

Then we came to Psalm 110, so often quoted in the New Testament. Christ brought to an end the Mosaic law, he nailed it to his cross [Colossians 2:14] and instead became “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” [Psalm 110:4] His role as that Priest will one day, maybe very soon, become powerfully evident for the next verses read, “”The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs (leaders) …” [Psalm 110:5-6]

When we come to Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians we specially note his point that believers must “let light shine out of darkness” because it “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” [2 Corinthians 4:6]., So let us shine spiritually – and as a result of this shining we have seen “grace extend(s) to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” [2 Corinthians 4:15-16]

An essential part of that daily renewal is to feed our minds on God’s word, we have seen this today, “for we walk by faith, not by sight … for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” [2 Corinthians 5:7,10] Note – he speaks of the body, Paul told the Thessalonians, “Encourage one another, and build one another up” [1 Thessalonians 5:11] Let us walk with ever firmer and surer steps as we feed and are “renewed day by day” and seek ways to renew each other.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

06 March 2014

Leviticus 12; 13
Psalms 113; 114
2 Corinthians 5; 6; 7

“I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU”

We often think of the occasion the disciples showed Jesus the grandeur of the Temple [Mark 13:1-2]. What was in their minds? They, like their fellow Jews, were proud of it. Jesus totally shocked them by saying it was all going to be destroyed!

Now in today’s reading in 2nd Corinthians [2 Corinthians 5; 6; 7] Paul shows how a new kind of Temple had been “erected”. God seeks to dwell in a new ‘Most Holy Place’ and this development is the most important thing in the life of a believer.

Paul writes, “we are the temple of the living God, as God has said …” [2 Corinthians 6:16]. He then quotes the words of God we will read later this month in Leviticus [Leviticus 26:11-12] of the blessings to come if they follow his precepts. We specially notice God’s words to Moses that Paul felt he could ‘powerfully’ quote in his letter?

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them … then I will welcome you and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:16-18]

What are they to go out from? They had left the fleshpots of Egypt, but sadly many now wanted to return. Paul then paraphrases the words in Leviticus, “since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit bringing holiness to completion in the fear (awe) of God” [2 Corinthians 7:1] How incomplete is my holiness – we must each ask ourselves?

In recognising that our minds and hearts are the spiritual temple in which God seeks to live – indeed – is now living - we must each ask ourselves - what occupied my mind yesterday, will there be a change today in the things I think about and meditate upon? It is vital that we are positive in reacting to this challenge – how utterly wonderful to have God in our very being, watching over us! We therefore see how important it is that we read God’s word every day, for isn’t that what should happen in “the temple of the living God.”.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

07 March 2014

Leviticus 14
Psalms 115; 116
2 Corinthians 8; 9

“NOT TO US O LORD”

Our Psalm 115 reading starts, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory …” Human nature is such that all glorying – that is, praising, worshipping and adulation, reflects back, at least in some measure, on themselves, there is enjoyment in doing it – television reports repeatedly illustrate this.

The Psalmist is conscious of this human tendency – and his Psalm should be seen as a prayer about ‘escaping’ from the inclination to do this. He proceeds to observe that “those who make them (idols) become like them, so do all who trust in them.” [Psalm 115:8] And so the spirit of human adulation operates in a reflective way – back to the worshippers. But “not to us O LORD” – our worship, our prayers, ascend to heaven, to the throne of grace – let us make sure they are said in a genuine ‘Christ-like’ spirit.

Paul makes a vital point in today’s 9th chapter of 2nd Corinthians. He writes about how believers, when necessary, should help each other in a “material” way making the point, “each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” [2 Corinthians 9:7] He then adds, “and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever” [2 Corinthians 9:8-9]

Spiritually – we see all giving as giving to the Lord – and all receiving – as receiving from the Lord. This is an attitude which human nature can undermine, but our daily reading and reflection on God’s word is a ‘cure’ that prevents this so that, as a result, we truly feel in our hearts, “Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

08 March 2014

Leviticus 15
Psalms 117; 118
2 Corinthians 10; 11

“IF YOU ACCEPT A DIFFERENT GOSPEL”

We are now nearing the climax of Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians. He becomes increasingly blunt in the way he expresses his thoughts: having carefully reasoned out the true gospel and the need to live a Christ-like life he now bluntly challenges them: he says, “I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a pure and sincere devotion to Christ.” [2 Corinthians 11:3]

Our awareness of that which is “pure and sincere” is only obtained by our ‘sincere devotion’ to God’s word, leading us to make every effort in keeping our thinking “pure” – as a foundation to maintaining true belief and behavior.

In the next verse Paul rebukes them for their lack of diligence in remaining true to their convictions of belief at their conversion - “for if someone,” writes Paul, “comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

Paul’s rebuke to them has had its parallels ever since his day. There are those who “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness,” but says Paul, “Their end will correspond to their deeds” [2 Corinthians 11:15]. We can see in these verses that it is both “deeds” and believing a “different gospel” that were a problem in Corinth – and this has continued to be a critical problem ever since. Our constant and diligent reading of God’s word is the best way for us to ensure we are “not led astray” and that we maintain, as with Paul, “the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” [2 Corinthians 10:1].
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

09 March 2014

Leviticus 16
Psalms 119:1-40
2 Corinthians 12; 13

“MESSENGER OF SATAN”

The conclusion of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians illustrates how Paul was thankful in a way, that “a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated” [2 Corinthians 12:7]. Who gave it to him? The point is, he sees this “messenger” as being part of the will of God.

We cannot be sure what this “thorn” was, some disability, many say it was probably poor eyesight. Turn on 2 or 3 pages and look at the last chapter of Galatians, Paul writes “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand” [Galatians 6:11], this indicates difficulty in writing which would most likely be caused by poor eyesight. This handicap, whatever it was, stopped him from being too elated and so he says, “for the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses …”

But why is it called “a messenger of Satan”? It is a figure of speech to describe adversity. Satan is a Hebrew word, and many times in the Old Testament it is translated as “adversary” and a particular person is named. It is adversity that brings out the best in disciples! All ‘strengths’ need to be tested to make sure they are really strong for the task they are designed for. Peter was a “satan” to Jesus [Mark 8:33], he tested Jesus’ resolve to do his Father’s will.

In completing his letter Paul expresses the fear that when he comes “I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced” [2 Corinthians 12:21] There is the blunt request [2 Corinthians 13:5] “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you” [2 Corinthians 13:5].

The fleshly atmosphere in Corinth seems to have been very much like that in world today, More than ever we need God’s word IN our thoughts every day as a defence against the fleshly attitudes all around us.

Paul says, don’t you realize Christ is IN you? Those who are baptised must realize this – every day. We prove that Christ is in us by becoming more and more like our Lord and Master in the way we think and act. Note Paul’s conclusion, “Finally brothers (& sisters), rejoice … comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace” [2 Corinthians 13:11]
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

10 March 2014

Leviticus 17; 18
Psalms 119:41-80
Luke 1

“SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR”

These words are taken from the inspired speech of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Because he did not believe the angel who appeared to him in the Temple he had been made dumb, then when the child is born and there is pressure to call him Zechariah, the father’s “tongue is loosed and he spoke blessing God. And fear came upon all their neighbours” [Luke 1:65] The sense of ‘fear’ does not mean being scared or afraid, but to be in awe.

Today’s chapter then tells us that “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied …” [Luke 1:67] It is a prophecy about the coming task of his newborn son “who will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” [Luke 1:76]

Compared to human expectations God’s time frame for action is exceedingly slow: it had been some 400 years since God had sent the last prophet (Malachi) to his nation, but, as Zechariah now says, “the Lord God … spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us …” [Luke 1:70-71]

Because they rejected his Son, God delayed the fulfilment of this ­ to our days ­ but “time” from God’s perspective is so different; but isn’t it remarkable the deliverance that the re-born nation of Israel has experienced since 1948 in being “saved … from the hand of all who hate (them)”!

Deliverance needs to be assessed from several perspectives; there is deliverance from fear of evil men and deliverance from sin and death John and then Jesus came to “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” [Luke 1:79]

How clearly are we seeing the “light” and letting it “guide our feet”? There are so many traps these days as to where we can put our “feet” ­ in a spiritual sense of course. How many appreciated the “light” they were seeing in the words of John and Jesus? They all stumbled and fell. By his grace, those with genuine hearts were pulled to their feet again. May we have genuine hearts and clearly see the light, only then can we “serve him without fear.” .
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

11 March 2014

Leviticus 19
Psalms 119:81-128
Luke 2

“MY SOUL LONGS FOR … ”

These are the first words in our Psalms reading; what does your soul long for, is it the same as the Psalmist? We read, “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise …” [Psalm 119:81-82] There is real urgency in his expressions ­ do we share that sense of urgency?

Then we come to 3 extra-special verses [Psalm 119:97-99) it would be good to memorize. They start, “O how love I your law! It is my meditation all the day; your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” God’s law is to be loved, to be meditated upon ­ and the result of doing this, the Psalmist says, “I hold back my feet from every evil way in order to keep your word.” [Psalm 119:101]

His next thoughts are, “ … you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth … therefore I hate every false way.” The Psalmist continues, “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” [Psalm 119:111] The “law” that the Israelites were expected to “love” was no set of ‘thou shalt not’s. Jesus found them “sweet” and as we read Luke 2 we pondered the conversation that the 12 year old Jesus had in the temple ­ where Mary and Joseph eventually found him “sitting among the teachers … asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” [Luke 2:46-47]

The chapter concludes in this lovely way, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature (or years) and in favour with God and man.” May we all do the same, although it is becoming increasingly difficult to increase in favour with our fellow humans because of the great God-less state of the world that is now around us, but this will lead us to say with greater and greater fervency and meaning, “My soul longs for your salvation.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

12 March 2014

Leviticus 20
Psalms 119:129-176
Luke 3

“BEAR FRUITS IN KEEPING WITH …”

What an incredible impact the preaching of John the Baptist had! We do not realize this at first – but there are clues here and there – look at Acts 18:25; 19:3. Paul comes across those at Ephesus who knew only the baptism of John– a vast distance from the Jordan.

What stood out in our chapter 3 in Luke today was the bluntness of John’s message; it was far from being simply an appeal to love your neighbour as yourself – which is the substance of the preaching in many churches today. They had to examine themselves and change their ways and “bear fruits in keeping with repentence” – to put it bluntly, to show they were repentant by actions – not just words.

Many had a certain pride in being children of Abraham – some today feel they can at least say, ‘I have a Bible in my house – and I read it – sometimes.’

John was the one sent to “prepare the way of the Lord” [Luke 3:4] of whom Isaiah [isaiah 40:3-5] had prophesied. John detailed what the Lord, the Messiah, was to accomplish What he did not realize, in common with everyone else, was that the Messiah would have to come twice! Only part of what John preached was accomplished by Jesus – the rest awaits the Messiah’s now imminent second coming – and how awesome are the words that apply to that coming!

“His winnowing fork (used in harvesting) is in his hands to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” [Luke 3:17] Chaff are ears of wheat that are useless, they have failed to produce; how much chaff can God see in the world today!

Let us make sure we are not among the chaff! Let us all “bear good fruit” for John also preached, “Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” [Luke 3:9] Bearing good fruit should – indeed - must be – a labour of love for our Lord – before the harvest time occurs. What wonders then follow!
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

13 March 2014

Leviticus 21
Psalms 120; 121; 122; 123; 124
Luke 4

FROM WHERE DOES MY HELP COME?

Psalm 121 today begins with a question – and sometimes this is not recognised. The Psalmist is lifting up his eyes to the hills and asking, “from where does my help come?” Does it come from the hills, the high places?

The pagan people around and all too often the Jewish people were attracted to do the same, they looked to high places where they felt they would be nearer where their God’s dwelt. When travelling in India one frequently sees hill tops crowned with Hindu temples.

Psalm 121:2 answers the question, stating, “My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.” That is just as true today! But what sort of help can seekers expect? Well this Psalm is the second of 5 short Psalms to be read today which are called ‘A SONG OF ASCENTS’

Among the Jews these, and the ten Psalms which follow, are generally understood to be the songs that were sung as they went up to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple. In some cases they would be coming from distant lands – remember the man from Ethiopia that Philip was sent by the Spirit to meet? “he had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning” [Acts 8:27]. Recall Isaiah’s vision! “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains … and many people shall come and say, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD” [isaiah 2:2-3]

So what did the pilgrims going up to Jerusalem sing about? Do these Psalms foreshadow our going up to Jerusalem in the future? The first one [Psalm 120] is, “In my distress I cried to the LORD and he answered me. Deliver me O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue” [Psalm 120:1-2] This illustrates the kind of help that was sought – and given - to genuine worshippers of God like David. It also shows the frame of mind of those who do not know God that those going up to Jerusalem leave behind!

Psalm 121 ends, “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore.” [Psalm 121:8] The Lord watches over all the ways in which we travel, if we firmly believe our help comes from the Lord. The verse will find its complete fulfilment when Jesus returns and the kingdom is established – and what a wonderful atmosphere then as we “go up to the mountain of the LORD.”.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

14 March 2014

Leviticus 22
Psalms 125; 126; 127
Luke 5

“A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD”

No one despises an inheritance, they are usually a cause of joy! But what we inherit is often a challenge too! A challenge to our wisdom, how to use it wisely. How many are conscious of our Lord’s all seeing eyes and knowledge of all the decisions we make in this – and, of course, all the other decisions we make. However, receiving an inheritance leads to especially challenging decisions.

One very important situation is clearly alluded to in Psalm 127 which we read this morning yet we may often pass over it without really thinking. We read, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” [Psalm 127:3] A heritage? Do those who have children see them as an inheritance the Lord has provided? We should – and in seeing them that way, surely we should make use of the inheritance with the utmost care and wisdom. But do we?

The Psalmist enlarges on this theme in the next Psalm, “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD” [Psalm 128:3-4]

Let’s give careful thought to the very first words that God spoke to Adam and Eve about their inheritance? They still apply. “Be fruitful and multiply and subdue it and have dominion over … Behold I have given you …” [Genesis 1:28-29] What blessings surrounded them in the garden, what an inheritance.

The foolishness of humans has often abused God’s blessings, they take for granted their “heritage from the LORD.” In contrast all those who have a real relationship with the one who has provided all, a relationship which is experienced in various ways every day, will value all the aspects of the results that flow from that relationship, it is far more than a case of whether we have children or not.

Next week we will come to the passage in Luke where it says Jesus “rejoiced”! What did he rejoice over – he was praying to his Father saying, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes Father, for such was your gracious will.” [Luke 10:21] Let us become as “little children” and then we will know how to use our inheritance.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

15 March 2014

Leviticus 23
Psalms 128; 129; 130
Luke 6

"BUT WITH YOU THERE IS FORGIVENESS"

Our Psalms and Luke readings today link together in encouraging us to think and live positively so we can more effectively counteract a world that buffets us more than ever with false values. There are times when these greatly affect us and they threaten to be overwhelming. These Psalms provide us with encouragement for the times when the ways of the world around us particularly buffet us and we start to be drawn into its’ ways..

Psalm 130 is an outstanding example: “Out of the depths I cry to you O LORD … be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” [Psalm 130:1-4]

Then the question arises, what counts as iniquities? In the days of Moses and ancient Israel the people would look to the 10 commandments; but Jesus, as we read in Luke 6 today describes Christ-like behaviour as being much more than avoiding bad behaviour like stealing and committing adultery.

Jesus taught, “But I say unto you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you … “ [Luke 6:27-28] Then Jesus lays down what is often called ‘the golden rule’ saying, “as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” [Luke 6:31] It has always been the greatest challenge to live as God requires. David knew this. Jesus came to spell it out in plain language – and live it - to set us an example. With gratitude we remember David’s words – and see his life as an example, especially for us, if we stumble off the narrow pathway that Jesus described. [Matthew 7:14].

We therefore need more especially to remember David’s words that God is “feared” because with him “there is forgiveness.” He is not feared because he is an angry God, rather he is feared (‘held in the deepest reverence’ it means in this context) – because he is a loving God. Tomorrow’s Psalm 131 is specifically by David. He writes, “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up … I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” [Psalm 131:1-2] Can we do the same? Christ is, in one sense, our mother, let us make sure we have a real and growing relationship with him.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

16 March 2014

Leviticus 24
Psalms 131; 132; 133; 134
Luke 7

“HE WILL KEEP MY WORD …”

“Remember O LORD in David’s favour, all the hardships he endured, how he swore to the LORD and vowed …” [Psalm 132:1-2] The prayer and petition in that Psalm, one of the four we read today has a very significant lesson for us. What particular thing did David vow to do that he should be favourably remembered for?

Was it some great thing? He did many great things starting with the killing of Goliath, not counting the killing of the wild animals that sought to attack the sheep he was caring for. But his vow is not something that human nature sees as great – but today’s Psalm is a plea about it! It is a particular vow that he asks, should be counted in his favour! Is it a vow we should consider making?

He vowed “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” [Psalm 132:3-5]

David cannot mean he is going to build a literal temple for the Almighty. Nor can he mean the Tabernacle, for the LORD had had a dwelling place there for centuries. The answer is to be found in Isaiah 57, as well as other places. There we read “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit” [isaiah 57:15]

So the dwelling place that David vowed to find for the LORD was in his own heart. To do that he had to mentally prostrate himself before the Lord! How to do that? We suggest a factor in this is getting yourself to imagine ….the unimaginable! But we have to try to comprehend God’s immeasurable greatness and how he desires to dwell in the hearts of the humble.

Remember how Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” [John 14:23] Our heart becomes a Temple if we really carry out the first commandment to the full! At the end of each day, we need to take stock, and repair any damage or make good any loss the events of the day has brought to the Father’s spiritual temple in our heart.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

17 March 2014

Leviticus 25
Psalms 135; 136
Luke 8

“SOMEONE TOUCHED ME”

The great majority, until the last generation or two, have had contact with Jesus Christ in the sense that they have heard and read about him, although sometimes in a distorted sense. Sadly today there is less and less contact with him, with 7 billion + people in the world how few know anything about his teaching, we conclude an awareness of God and his Son now “has gone out to all the earth” [Romans10:18] as was predicted [Matthew 24:14]

Our thoughts flowed along these lines as we read Luke’s account of the healing of a woman who had been suffering for 12 years with a “discharge of blood” [Luke 8:43] and had spent all her money in trying to be healed. She came in “the crowds” that “were surrounding him”, how keen they were to hear him, a contrast to today. This woman came “in the crowds” and had a remarkable notion that it would be good to at least touch him. When “Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’” Peter responds, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you” Jesus responded, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” [Luke 8:46]

It is how you “touch” Jesus that makes all the difference; equally, we conclude, it is how you reach out with your mind, the urgency of your need to know and have a relationship with him, that makes all the difference in your life. It is more, much more, than gaining an intellectual understanding. It is vital to reach out and “touch” Jesus with a real sense of how vital it is to do this.

Those who do this establish an ongoing relationship that will lead to an eternal relationship. Such become one of “his people” – they take on “his name” and the verses in the Psalm we read today become fully meaningful and true for them. “Your name O LORD, endures forever , your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.” [Psalm 135:13-14]

Let us take on his name, and live up to the privilege and responsibility of bearing his name, then when Jesus returns our lives will be vindicated (i.e. assessed as righteous) and we will “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever”.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

18 March 2014

Leviticus 26
Psalms 137; 138; 139
Luke 9

"SEARCH ME O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART"

Do you, do I, want God to really “know my heart”? The concluding words of David’s Psalm 139 are some of the most challenging in Scripture. It seems obvious that David wrote it when he had formed a most intimate relationship with God, he declares, “How precious to me are your thoughts O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” [Psalm 139:17-18]

David’s meditations in this Psalm are most meaningful, he had a sense of really being “with God” and God, with him. How intensely personal is his closing appeal to the Almighty, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” But that leading by God comes at a price – the surrender of self, of our human inclinations - to God’s leading.

David surely knew what Moses wrote at God’s direction, we read it today in Leviticus 26. The first 13 verses list all the blessings to come on the nation if they will truly serve their God who has delivered them from slavery in Egypt. “I will make my dwelling among you,” says God, “I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” [Leviticus 26:11-12]

David was leading the people to do this – he would have fallen asleep in death convinced that his son Solomon would complete what he had begun in making the nation, God’s people. His Psalm explains a vital underlying factor in serving God, that, observing God’s laws, must be followed by an attitude of heart and mind that achieves a personal relationship with God. Sadly, the rest of Leviticus 26, which details the actions of God when there is a failure to obey his laws, came terribly true for most who journeyed to the promised land under Moses.

Our awareness - of the white and black of the paths of life – is vital for our eternal health: they are excellently summed up in the words of Jesus in the last verse of our Luke [Luke 9] reading. “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Our innermost thoughts as we prayerfully read God’s word each day will keep us looking forward.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

19 March 2014

Leviticus 27
Psalms 140; 141; 142
Luke 10

“WHOEVER IS NOT WITH ME"

Jesus spoke in parables, stories that were not necessarily factual because their purpose was to drive home some principle about the spiritual meaning of life, he also uses some forms of speech, the meaning of which may not be immediately apparent. In Luke 10 today we encounter some good examples of this. He did many miracles in Capernaum and other cities. He challenges them, “If the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago ..” [Luke 10:13]

Capernaum had been the scene of many miracles, but it did not spark a spirit of repentance! They pursued Christ for more mass feeding of loaves and fishes – and the Master lamented, when they found him on the other side of the lake, “you are seeking me … because you ate the fill of the loaves.” [John 6:26]

This attitude leads Jesus to say, “… you Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” [Luke 10:15] The city experienced seeing heavenly powers, they marvelled, yet it did not touch them personally to listen and seek to understand his teaching but they really got excited about his miracles.

The ‘reward’ of Capernaum for this failure would be by going “down to Hades” That’s “Hell” in the old A.V. Bible, the grave, in many modern versions. And Capernaum was buried for about 1800 years - until archaeologists uncovered its ruins; so Jesus words were fulfilled, it was “brought down to Hades,”

In Luke 12 we will read how Jesus makes a significant point, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” [Luke 12:48] The people of Capernaum failed on this important principle. Can we fail in this way today? God’s word is readily available to all, in all languages, it is an abundant witness to us, but are we taking any real notice of it?

Jesus’ disciples are sent out on a successful preaching and healing mission and when they return Jesus says, “I saw Satan like lightning fall from heaven” [Luke 10:18]. Again, obviously not to be understood literally! We have seen the symbolic meaning of heaven! We can see that these words means that the enemies of Jesus, those seeking his destruction, were “disarmed” by the demonstrations of heaven’s power and these self-important priests and lawyers lost their position as heaven’s representatives. We will see in Luke 11 how Jesus ridicules their attempts to deny his heavenly powers [Luke 11:15-23]; notice how he ends by saying, “Whoever is not with me is against me..” We can take no neutral position when it comes to our personal relationship with Jesus. It is vital we all remember that!
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

20 March 2014

Numbers 1
Psalms 143; 144
Luke 11

“FOR IN YOU I TRUST”

We have a particularly challenging chapter in Luke’s gospel today. It is full of challenges by Jesus – contrasting normal human attitudes with what their attitude and aims and actions in life should be – IF they are truly following divine principles. We read “ … a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’” [Luke 11:27-28]. Today we can say, “Blessed rather are those who read the word of God and make what they read part of their thinking and doing.

In Luke 11:24-26 there is a short parable about an “unclean spirit” – we can interpret that today as a dirty state of mind. Jesus said, “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself and they enter and dwell there. And the last state (of mind) of that person is worse than the first.”

We see this as teaching the lesson that when you get rid of a bad attitude of mind, distorted ways of thinking and therefore of acting – it is vital to replace them with good ways of thinking and therefore of doing. For us, daily feeding on God’s word and living by God’s principles are essential – for “blessed rather are those who” read the words God caused to be written and preserved and “keep” them.

Then we can make the words of David’s Psalm 143 we read today our own, “Hear my prayer O LORD… In your faithfulness answer me … Enter not into judgment with your servant for no one living is righteous before you … I meditate on all you have done … my soul thirsts for you like a parched land (thirsts for water). Answer me quickly. O LORD! … Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” May we lift up our hearts and minds in this way.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

21 March 2014

Numbers 2
Psalms 145; 146; 147
Luke 12

"THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS IN ALL HIS WAYS ..."

All three Psalms [145-147] and our chapter in Luke [Luke 12] today were greatly thought provoking; a great number of verses were very challenging – personally – to read. Some people are sceptical of the statement, “the LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works” [Psalm 145:17] cynically saying that if there is such a God who is all powerful, he should stop bad things from happening, especially to good people.

The verses which follow help us to correct our thinking from such ‘tunnel vision.’ They tell us, “The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. He fulfils the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love him …” [Psalm 145:18-20] Look at the lives of those who really served God such as Paul, how true are these words of his life after he was converted.

Some only call on God when circumstances in their life are getting desperate; but they have no ‘rock’ established in their minds as a firm foundation for an unshakeable belief in God. They have not been calling “upon him in truth”? How many do? The next Psalm [Psalm 146] tells us, “put not your trust in princes, in … man in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans (thoughts) perish” [Psalm 146:3-4] Yet how many are trying to find “princes,” leaders, they hope they can have confidence in! They soon lose confidence in the leaders they elect.

Only those who genuinely love God and show that love in how they live their lives have a future beyond the grave. In Luke we saw how Jesus told his disciples “do not be anxious about your life … what you will eat …nor be worried … instead seek his kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.” [Luke 12:22,29,31] They will be wonderfully “added” when his kingdom comes. Finally, we noticed a special verse in Psalm 147, “the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” [Psalm 147:11] May we all live so that our Lord takes pleasure.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

22 March 2014

Numbers 3
Psalms 148; 149; 150
Luke 13; 14

“AND DOES NOT HATE …”

There are no grey areas in the teaching of Jesus, yet life today contains many grey areas, human legislation in most countries appears to us in many ways to bend over backwards to allow all kinds of behavior; you can live and behave as you like as long as you do not tread on anyone else’s toes, as the saying is.

These thoughts entered our minds as we read the teaching of Jesus in Luke 14. It tells us “Now great crowds accompanied him.” [Luke 14:25]. Imagine the scene, how popular he had become, but it was not of the same order of popularity that many ‘stars’ achieve today. But, suddenly he is very challenging in a personal sense! “He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” [Luke 14:25-26]

What are we to make of the word “hate”? The Greek word occurs 42 times in the New Testament and is always translated as hate, hateful, hated, etc in the A.V. What we learn is that, from the Divine perspective there are no grey areas, if one does not love – then one is counted as ‘hating’.

But the words of Jesus demand that we put them into a scriptural perspective. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find the word “opinion” – yet our world today uses it abundantly! The context in which Jesus uses the word hate implies he counts some things, many things, as of no importance. In following in his footsteps to “come after” Christ, we must see life’s values (or lack of them) as he sees them. We need to each ask ourselves, ‘What is of first importance in my life?’ If we are really following Christ and putting his principles into practice in the way we live - then this will direct the decisions we make, this will totally push to one side all other things we think of and do, they will have no priority in our planning.

Look at the parable Jesus tells immediately after giving this challenging teaching (in Luke 14:27-33). What kind of “tower” are we building? Is your life, is mine, like building a ‘tower’? As we build, using the material Jesus and his father supplies, we get to see the meaning of life from the divine perspective with greater and greater clarity? We must each ask ourselves today – how is my building going? What sort of view am I now getting of life?
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

23 March 2014

Numbers 4
Proverbs 1
Luke 15

"WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION"

Today we start reading “the proverbs of Solomon” [Proverbs 1:1] and the key verse that jumps out into our eyes is “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” [Proverbs 1:7].

Our minds should be filled with awe as to all that God must be!! It is the beginning or foundation of wise thinking. The plea of Solomon is, “”Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.” [Proverbs 1:8] The acceptance and absorption into our minds of such teaching and instruction is like wearing “a graceful garland” – yet today how many parents are able and willing to teach true wisdom to their children? If they are able and willing – their children are surrounded by counter influences – but the need for “wisdom and instruction” has never been greater.

The message contains a strong warning about the ‘opposite’ to true wisdom, the attitude of those who have no time for God – so the blunt warning is made, “if sinners entice you do not consent” [Proverbs 1:10].

Virtually no one thinks of themselves as being a ‘sinner’ these days, sin is an obsolete word! But there is no middle course; the book of Proverbs makes this plain, if you are not on God’s side seeking his will and guidance in making your pathway in life, you are against him.

Wisdom is personified and “cries aloud” – at the same time “scoffers delight in their scoffing.” [Proverbs 1:20,22] But ‘wisdom’ says, “If you turn at my reproof, behold I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” [Proverbs 1:23] and we can see that God’s Spirit has led to the Bible being written and preserved and our daily feeding on God’s word will guide our lives.

The chapter fittingly concludes, “the complacency of fools destroys them, but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” May we help each other to have ears ready to listen.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

24 March 2014

Numbers 5
Proverbs 2
Luke 16

“THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND …”

What leads to a truly understanding mind – one of which God approves? We have a marvelous chapter in Proverbs [Proverbs 2] today which shows us the right way to “find the knowledge of God” [Proverbs 2:5] and shows us that this is far more than what we might call ‘head knowledge’ – developed purely by intellectual investigation and deduction.

We especially notice the significant little word ‘if’. The chapter starts , “My son, If you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding …” [Proverbs 2:1-2]

That is the start of it, that is laying the foundation – what follows? “ If you call out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding” [Proverbs 2:3] How do you do that? It seems to us this is the earnestness and intensity of private prayer in seeking a full awareness of God.

Solomon further emphasizes the complete dedication that is needed – another “if” follows. “If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear (awe) of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” [Proverbs 2:5] This is the ‘knowing’ of God surely – the establishing of a real relationship through prayer and the actions and experiences that then flow.

The verses which follow indicate the wonder of that relationship, how the LORD (and subsequently his Son) “is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints” [Proverbs 2:7-8]

What depth of perception then results, it is far more than intellectual knowledge for “then you will understanding righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” [Proverbs 2:9-10]

Consider the final perceptions of Job, he confesses to God, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself …” [Job 42:5-6 – note Job 42:3] Thoughts which parallel Paul’s appeal to the Ephesians that God “may give you a spirit of wisdom … in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” [Ephesians 1:17-18]

May our hearts increasingly develop this kind of wisdom, “then you (and I) will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge (knowing) of God.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

25 March 2014

Numbers 6
Proverbs 3
Luke 17

“SO IT WILL BE ON THE DAY WHEN … ”

It could be we are too familiar with the prophecies about events at the climax of the present process of human life upon this earth ­ could the words of Jesus which we read today in Luke 17 become uncertain in our minds ­ too dramatic to be taken literally?

Jesus says, “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will it be in his day.” [Luke 17:24] He adds, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot … but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom … so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” [Luke 17:26-30]

Our world is in a mess, uncertainties about the future increase every year, indeed, every month! Our world has, to some degree, got used to living with uncertainties about the future ­ so much so nearly all plan for the present, for this year and maybe next, especially if they have children.

The king of the promised kingdom was “in the midst of you” [Luke 17:21] Jesus told the Pharisees, but they were blind to this challenging fact. Similarly, the words of Jesus, and those written by the Apostles in their letters, are today available in every language, but how few are ‘awake’ to the message they contain about today!

It is not just a message about today! It is not just a message about the coming climax, but, but just as important, it is about the attitude of heart we must develop if we are to have total trust in God. We read in Proverbs today, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you … write them on the tablet of your heart … in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” [Proverbs 3:3,5,6]
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- DC