TFTBR - April 2014

[Resource Manager]

01 April 2014

Numbers 15
Proverbs 11
Luke 24

“THE INTEGRITY OF THE UPRIGHT GUIDES THEM”

We continue reading and meditating on Solomon’s Proverbs; if all the people in Israel had put into practice his precepts surely his kingdom would have continued to be a great and righteous kingdom for “a great while” (2 Chronicles 18:9) after his death. But sadly the history of the generations that followed shows that was not so. Healthy spiritual life centred on worship at the temple he had built in Jerusalem, but this began to falter and although there were excellent times during the reigns of good kings, the spiritual commitment of the nation steadily withered away.

We can see a comparison to when the Bible was first printed in the 16th and 17th Centuries and became increasingly available for all to read – what a reformation it brought about! But since then there has been a downhill slide – until today we are at the very bottom of the hill! And it is time for God to act – and his word makes it clear that he will.

Some of today’s Proverbs in chapter 11 jump out at us! There are some that are so meaningful. They make us think how good and harmonious life would be if they were widely put into practice. “With the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them” [Proverbs 11:2-3] “The righteousness of the blameless keeps his ways straight” [Proverbs 11:5] “The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.” [Proverbs 11:8]

In contrast, “with his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbour” [Proverbs 11:9], but then comes the comment, “but by knowledge the righteous are delivered” It is not difficult to see what kind of knowledge is meant!

In our world today there is a total lack of Bible inspired wisdom. Life has become increasingly uncertain – especially in some parts of the world. Our final thought comes from Proverbs 11:30, “”The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life…” This takes us back to thinking of “the tree of life” in the garden of Eden from which Adam and Eve were barred and then to Revelation 2:7. Those who truly follow the way of Christ, guided by integrity, will have “great joy and (be) continually in the Temple blessing God” which are the concluding words in Luke’s Gospel we also read today.

Imagine the even greater joy in the Temple to come! Let us make our lives full of God inspired “integrity” becoming soberly aware of what Peter was to later write,”… if necessary you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold … may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ … and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible.” [1 Peter 1:6-8].
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

02 April 2014

Numbers 16
Proverbs 12
Galatians 1; 2

"A SURE AND STEADFAST ANCHOR"

In the opening chapter of his letter to the Galatians Paul writes of his astonishment “that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” [Galatians 1:6].

He goes on to say that “if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received let him be accursed” [Galatians 1:9]. He says further, “the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel … I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” [Galatians 1:11-12].

Why were people trying to change it? In the 2nd chapter he writes of “false brothers secretly brought in – who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery” [Galatians 2:4]. He means slavery to keep the law with its priesthood system and rules like keeping the Sabbath, circumcision and tithing – these false brothers wanted every Gentile convert to observe these things -. this would have corrupted the gospel and destroyed what Christ died to achieve.

We note that Paul was astonished that this was happening so soon – and we are similarly astonished in our reading in Numbers today that Moses very soon has a fresh problem with the people. This time it is not among the tribes; the bad report of the 10 spies had been dealt with. This time it among the Levites, the priests.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenge Moses saying, “Why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” [Numbers 16:3] Moses responds, “Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do service in the tabernacle?” [Numbers 16:9]

All too often the desire for pride of place is the root cause of problems, so, despite all the evidence of the divine presence, this folly is committed and they are destroyed because of it. It reminded us of the proverb we read yesterday, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” [Proverbs 11:2] Let us in humility make sure we believe and teach the same gospel as Paul; it is more needed today and meaningful today than ever as pout world falls apart- “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” [Hebrews 6:19] Are you putting your “anchor” to good use?
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

03 April 2014

Numbers 17; 18
Proverbs 13
Galatians 3; 4

"I AM PERPLEXED ABOUT YOU"

In his letter to the Galatians Paul reminds those who have responded to his teaching and become believers of what they had been previously when they did not know the true God. Many have trouble in letting their previous beliefs and associated practices fade from their minds.

How different it is today for those who have been brought up to believe in the true God and his message. It is different because the sharp edge of the spiritual excitement of conversion from false belief and its’ lifestyle, has not been experienced – except for a few.. Those few had a great sense of appreciation?

Consider what Paul wrote, “when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.” [Galatians 4:8] How many around us today are in slavery – to the ways of the modern world and its ‘gods’.! How much attraction does it still hold for you? It presses in on us in so many ways.

Amongst the Galatians there were some who had a diminishing sense of appreciation of what they had come to know, forgetting how it had originally been so meaningful compared to their previous idol worship.

The Jews who were converted to Christ had a different, but still difficult problem. Christ came, writes Paul, “to redeem those who were under the Law, so that they might receive adoption as sons.” [Galatians 4:5] This adoption applied to both those from a Gentile and a Jewish background – and Paul makes the point, “.. because you are (now) sons God has sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father’” [Galatians 4:6]

What is this Spirit? It is a spiritual perception of the presence of the one and only God who is now “Our Father”! Recall what Paul told the Athenians about the true God, “he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘in Him we live and move and have our being’” [Acts 17:27-28]

Paul challenges the Galatian converts, “now that you have come to know God, or rather be known by God how can you turn back again to …” [Galatians 4:9] what you were before?

Knowing God is having a real living relationship with him day by day. Paul is distressed at what was happening to many of the converts he had made in Galatia, he writes, “my little children for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ be formed in you” [Galatians 4:19]

In 2014 we must continually take stock and ask ourselves – to what extent has Christ been formed in me? Is my sense of conversion fading? Paul told the Galatians, “I am perplexed about you” [Galatians 4:20] – would he write the same about you?
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

04 April 2014

Numbers 19
Proverbs 14
Galatians 5; 6

"WHOEVER IS PATIENT HAS GREAT UNDERSTANDING"

We are now nearly halfway through the book of Proverbs. They are a solid read and if we try to read quickly we do not get much nourishment for our minds from them. It is good to mark those verses you find most meaningful to you personally; better still, to create large signs with the words on them. In some homes people like to have pictures of Christ, but these are all based on human imagination. There is only one passage in the Bible that indicates what Christ looked like! You won't find it in the New Testament; it is in the opening verses of Isaiah 53, that remarkable prophecy of the work of the "arm of the LORD", i.e. Jesus and what he would accomplish. It describes his rejection by men and that "he had no form or majesty that we should look at him and no beauty that we should desire him" [isaiah 53:2]

So all the pictures that show him as a handsome man with curling golden hair are wrong! People were attracted – or repulsed - by what he said, not by what he looked like. Remember King Saul was tall and outstanding among the people, but being physically attractive did him no good!

Far better than having meaningless pictures on the walls of our dwelling we should note the Proverbs which are really meaningful to us and put them up as a constant reminder of godly principles. Ten days ago we made particular comment on Proverbs 2 and the process by which you can come to understand the fear (awe) of the LORD.

Now today's chapter has two references to "the fear of the LORD" In Proverbs 14:26 "In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence" and what we read in Proverbs 2 showed how that is achieved to create in you strong confidence in his protection. Then in Proverbs 14:27, "the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life" Fountains provide water, our awe of God creates "living water"

Finally, look at Proverbs 14:29 – would you put those words on your wall?
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

05 April 2014

Numbers 20; 21
Proverbs 15
Ephesians 1; 2

PRINCIPLES APPLY

"Because you did not believe" - This is what the LORD said to Moses! We prove whether or not we believe God means what he says by what we do: whether we have listened carefully to his word. by how we act! Near enough, is not good enough! Now, it is important that we understand why the LORD said these words to Moses which we read today in Numbers 20.

Once again, nearing the end of their wilderness journeying, the Israelites are put to the test by the lack of water for themselves and their flocks – and they fail the test. After all their experiences of God providing for their basic needs they should have known better than to complain bitterly about the lack of water. They say to Moses, "Why have you made us come out of Egypt to this evil place? … there is no water to drink. So the glory of God appears and the LORD speaks to Moses, "Take the staff and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle." [Numbers 20:8] So they gather before the rock, it must have been a huge one, and Moses says, "Hear now you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" and Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly …" [Numbers 20:10,11]

Now Moses had not done exactly what he had been told to do, he had been told to speak to the rock! Nor had he credited this miracle to God. This is what caused God to say to him, "Because you did not believe in me to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people … you shall not bring this assembly into the land." [Numbers 20:12].

God expects us to do what he says and surely the same principle applies when it comes to matters like baptism. Those who say it is sufficient to sprinkle water on the forehead should heed the example of Moses' mistake. There would only be one church if we would fully apply our minds to God's words and the words he inspired men like the apostles to write, but it seems these things have to be in order to fully sift the wheat from the chaff.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

06 April 2014

Numbers 22; 23
Proverbs 16
Ephesians 3; 4

"DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING"

The chapters in Ephesians today are a passionate plea by Paul to the believers there to see their behaviour does not slip back to what it was before they believed in Christ. Life in those days, like life today was full of distractions. He tells them, “you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and given themselves up to sensuality …” [Ephesians 4:17-19]

These words also accurately describe the atmosphere in which we live today, the attitudes probably nearly all of us see around us. Modern technology highlights these attitudes, making them worse and more appealing in many cases. Paul then writes, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!” [Ephesians 4:20] He seems to doubt that their learning of Christ had effectively led to a change of behaviour for he continues, “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught … to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” [Ephesians 4:21-22].

How “deceitful” our desires can be! It is vital “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” [Ephesians 4:23,24] Tragically we can be converted in our head, intellectually, while our hearts still have a great amount of fleshly inclinations.

Paul then says, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which you were sealed for the day of redemption.” [Ephesians 4:30]. We have on one or two occasions in past years attended those Pentecostal type services where they convince themselves they have some special gift that enables them to have visions; it is most unconvincing! But the point that Paul makes here is that we should recognise that the Holy Spirit possesses us, rather than the other way round. This is the point we have seen several times in Proverbs; that the “eyes of the LORD are in every place keeping watch …”. Surely this is the case with those who have been “sealed” by God’s Spirit.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

07 April 2014

Numbers 24; 25
Proverbs 17
Ephesians 5; 6

"UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS"

We should always make “the best use of our time”! But Paul’s comment to the Ephesians is that they should do it “because the days are evil” [Ephesians 5:16]. This shows that the time for doing worthwhile things was short; the window of opportunity for working for the Lord was not going to last for very long. Paul continues, “therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is” [Ephesians 5:17] This is a major reason why we should read the word of God every day – to understand his will, so that our minds are filled with his principles and this leads to wise actions, more essential than ever when “the days are evil.”

Now note how Paul next writes of the good things that they – and we – can and should make part of our lives when we have the time to be together. He says, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart” [Ephesians 5:19]. We sing aloud, but note that last phrase “in your heart.” This shows that we must really think about and know the meaning of the words we decide to sing – for we are singing to the Lord, not just to each other! We are singing about our convictions.

Jesus gave the very same warning, but he called those listening to him hypocrites and quoted Isaiah to them, “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” [Matthew 15:8]. Finally, in our other Ephesians chapter today [Ephesians 6], Paul sums up his urgent advice about the coming evil day in words so appropriate to us today, “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” [Ephesians 6:13]. A particular evil day or time of climax is certainly coming; it is what we do now that we see whether we “stand firm” or not.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

08 April 2014

Numbers 26
Proverbs 18
Philippians 1; 2

"NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE"

The real "us" is our minds! Oh yes, we have bodies of all shapes and sizes! But in a sense that does not count; the real 'you' and the real 'me' is what goes on inside our heads! Now this is the point that Paul is making in writing to the Philippians. If groups of believers who meet together to serve the Lord Jesus, having "the same mind" [Philippians 2:2] is very important. Note what he then goes on to write! He states that Jesus Christ set the example of the kind of mind we should have! How did he do that? What kind of mind is that?

We read that he "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death … therefore God has highly exalted him" [Philippians 2:6-9]. Jesus set the example of the kind of mind God is looking to see. This is the kind of person we should aim to be.

Some people are confused by the thought that Jesus is the example of this! Why? Because they have been taught that Jesus is a part of God. This is a misunderstanding; he became part of God because of his obedience to God's will. Remember how he prayed, "not my will but thine be done" [Luke 22:42] Now in tomorrow's Philippians reading, we will see how we can become, in a sense, part of God. Paul writes of true believers, that their "citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body …" [Philippians 3:20] and so become "priests of God and of Christ and Christ and they will reign with him … " [Revelation 20:6]

We must aim to "have this mind." Is there any other way to really live? The answer is obviously "No" – the only way to live is to recognise the real "us" and as a result focus our minds on eternal ways of thinking and living.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

09 April 2014

Numbers 27
Proverbs 19
Philippians 3; 4

"REJOICE IN HOPE"

Today, more than ever before people, especially the young, love to enjoy themselves. Looking for means of enjoyment is the pre-occupation of what is called "the western world." They seek situations in which they can have fun, play games, watch shows and much more. Planning for weekends and holidays are special times to rejoice.

Our thoughts on this were sparked by the number of times Paul uses the word "rejoice" in his letter to the Philippians. What kind of rejoicing is he writing about? It is a contrast to most of the rejoicing which happens today. We read yesterday about Paul sending back to Philippi a brother from there who had been with Paul and he had been "ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, but not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow on sorrow. I am the more eager to send him therefore that you may rejoice at seeing him again." [Philippians 2:27,28]. That is a good reason for rejoicing.

Philippians 3 starts with, "Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord" We can ask, rejoice about what? From when Paul was converted many troubles came into his life but, but he writes, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord … forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think in this way … let us hold true to what we have attained" [Philippians 3:8,13-16].

In all these things Paul rejoices, summing up this attitude in his final chapter, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice" [Philippians 4:4] In writing to the Romans he put it in just 3 words, "Rejoice in hope" [Romans 12:12] But what hope is this? Peter answers this question. He writes of "salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice" [1 Peter 1:5,6] But Peter lived in difficult times and this could soon be our situation, if it is not so already, so note his words, "do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you … but rejoice insofar as you share in Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." [1 Peter 4:12-13].
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

10 April 2014

Numbers 28
Proverbs 20
John 1

"PURE AND UPRIGHT"

We read in Proverbs that "even a child makes himself known by his acts" [Proverbs 20:11], it then says, "whether his conduct is pure and upright." It is saying that what we actually do – proves what we really are far more than by what we say. It is also said that we teach by example, more than words, thus verse 7 tells us, "The righteous walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him". [Proverbs 20:7] They have been taught by example and often children are more transparent in their actions than adults.

Another interesting proverb is "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out" [Proverbs 20:5] It causes us to ask – do we fully consider our purpose in doing something? If we really are a person who considers our ways, thinking carefully about all our intentions, then we will "draw it out" – like one drawing water from a well – and this takes time and effort.

Of course when the Bible uses the word 'man' it usually means all human beings, unless the context makes it clear it means a male. It draws no distinction between boys or girls, "even a child" obviously means both!

Finally, verse 6 is very interesting, ponder what it means. "Many a man (person) proclaims his (or her) own steadfast love, but a faithful man (person) who can find?" [Proverbs 20:6] It is telling us that what we say, what we declare to be our motives, is in many cases, not entirely correct; although it is not a real lie, because there is an element of truth in it. How often do we say things "with reservation?" I have known statements to be made, and agreement to be requested on them "without reservation."This is sad, it means we are acknowledging that so often we say things, not fully meaning them. This should not be so among those whose aim is to become children of God (read Romans 8:17) Do fully faithful, truthful people exist?

"Even a child" – if we start when we are children trying to do this, there is a better chance of us being found to be that kind of person when we are grown up.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

11 April 2014

Numbers 29; 30
Proverbs 21
John 2; 3

“WILL I?”

The first 5 books of the Bible were written by Moses, although there are strong indications that Genesis was put together by collating earlier records. But most of Numbers and all of Deuteronomy were written in the last year of Moses life. Much of the text indicates that Moses was simply the intermediary between God and the people, “So Moses told the people of Israel everything just as the LORD commanded Moses.” [Numbers 29:40]

Although the Law through Moses came to an end with our Lord’s sacrificial death, there are many principles which remain and have lessons for us. Numbers 30 today is about the vital importance of keeping vows which an individual man or woman might make and those who fail, “bear their iniquity” for the man “shall not break his word” [Numbers 30:2]. Men and women make vows when they enter into marriage, but its no ‘big deal’ today for many if they later break them. In a spiritual sense we make vows when we decide to be baptised, for this is ‘spiritual marriage’ and Christ becomes our bridegroom and we are virgins waiting for his return.

Looking again at Numbers, it is interesting to notice the figures of the 12 tribes in the census that was taken as they started on their wilderness journeys and again when they completed it . In Numbers 1 those aged 20 and over numbered 603,550 and nearly 40 years later, they number.. 601, 730. [Numbers 26:51]. Hardly any change, those dying in the wilderness had been replaced by the children growing up, with others being born and becoming 20 and over.

But the figures for the individual tribes are also given and they are interesting, some tribes lost membership badly. Simeon is by far the worst example, dropping from 59,300 [Numbers 1:23] to only 22,200 [Numbers 26:14]! Others, such as Manasseh (up from 32,200 to 52,700) gained.

Our ecclesias can be compared to the tribes, we too are journeying through a wilderness, the wilderness of this world which is ever more dried out of spiritual values. If we trust in the LORD we will reach the promised land, but how many will fall by the wayside?

It is vital we ask ourselves, “Will I?”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

12 April 2014

Numbers 31
Proverbs 22
John 4

“… WELLING UP TO ETERNAL LIFE”

We read today John’s rather detailed account of the visit Jesus and his disciples made to Samaria; it laid the foundation, we suspect, for the initial preaching effort of the apostles outside of Jerusalem [Acts 8:4-25]. We noted especially the teaching of Jesus, first to the woman at the well and then to the people who heard his teaching as he stayed on in the place for two days. As a result “many more believed because of his word.” and “said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world’ ” [John 4:41-42]

His conversation with the woman started beside the well and the need for some natural water – how few realize today the urgent need for spiritual water! Jesus said to the woman, “The water that I will give him (her) will become … a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” [John 4:14] It is clear that the ‘spiritual water’ is the message of Jesus. It is not a matter of taking one glass of this spiritual water, but of continual drinking so that the “water” starts to direct the thinking and attitude of the person, truly “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Have you developed a “spring of water” in your heart and mind – or are you in the process of doing so? Verses in today’s chapter in Proverbs are excellent examples of this spiritual water, for example Proverbs 22:11-12, “He (or she) who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king (Jesus!) as his friend. The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge …”

Our world is floating in a sea of ‘knowledge’ but hardly any of it has a spiritual flavour – much of it the opposite! “Apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.” [Proverbs 22:17-18]

You and I will do this if we really desire – in our heart – that which will increasingly direct us towards possessing “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

13 April 2014

Numbers 32
Proverbs 23
John 5

"IT IS WRITTEN"

In our readings in John’s Gospel we start to encounter the many statements of Jesus about how he looks to the Father for guidance; that he does nothing out of his own initiative. His response in the time of his temptation in the wilderness demonstrated this. Three times he said, “It is written.” His Father’s inspiration of the Old Testament writers was his inspiration and resultant guidance. What an example to us – and the more we read and meditate and digest the Scriptures the more our inner strength develops. The words of Jesus are a prime part of that inner strength for he said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” [John 6:63]

We read today in John 5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. [John 5:19-20] We know the Father loves all those who commit their lives to believing in and following the Son and in making him their Lord. For this reason we specially note Jesus’ words in John 5:24, “Truly, truly I say unto you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but is passed from death into life”

This means he does not experience the judgement of condemnation. This is made plain in John 5:28-29, “ … an hour is coming when all in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgement”

Jesus then goes on to make the point, “I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me” [John 5:30] This again makes it clear that Jesus was a separate being from his Father and had a separate will, distinct from God’s. The man made doctrine of the Trinity of later centuries confused all this; theologians try to ‘escape’ from this confusion by declaring it a ‘mystery’ – but it is a man-made mystery.

Finally we noted Jesus words’ to his critics, “I know you do not have the love of God within you.” [John 5:42]. We can talk of the love of God, but to truly love God means to have a prayerful relationship with him that transforms our lives “within.”. Daily Bible reading and meditation is an essential foundation for achieving this.

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- DC

[Resource Manager]

14 April 2014

Numbers 33
Proverbs 24
John 6

“… DOING THE WORKS OF GOD”

In John 6 today we have an elaborate account of the feeding of a multitude with loaves and fishes. The story is familiar to us, it is the one miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all 4 gospels. Afterwards they cross Galilee, it is evident that Jesus has a great number of followers (would be disciples!) at this stage; he chides them, “Do not labour for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life” [John 6:27]

Most do not get the point! Do we? Many are very interested in being able to do remarkable things, “they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’” [John 6:28] They find the answer of Jesus unsatisfactory – do we? They do not get his point when he says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” [John 6:29] Belief is proved by what that belief causes us to think and then do! Jesus next develops the concept of spiritual bread in contrast to what they have recently taken part in. They only listen to him, we could say, with one ear; only picking up what they want to hear! It has become the same in a sense in these days, sort of reading with one eye!

Jesus proceeds to tell them, “This is the will of my Father that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” [John 6:40] How do we get our minds into true focus so that we ‘look on’ Jesus in a way pleasing to the Father? The next verse tells us, “So the Jews grumbled about him …” [John 6:41] and Jesus says, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him (or her) up on the last day.” [John 6:44]

Sadly, “after this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” [John 6:66] Let us think – what kind of person does the Father, the great and utterly wonderful Creator of all things “draw (to) him” through the work of his Son?

What do we read in the last chapter in Isaiah!? “… this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” [isaiah 66:2] With what attitude of mind do we read the word of God?
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

15 April 2014

Numbers 34
Proverbs 25
John 7

“HAVE YOU ALSO BEEN DECEIVED”

This was the question, the comment, the Pharisees made when the officers they sent to arrest Jesus returned without him. They reply, “No one ever spoke like this man!” [John 7:46-47]

John, the most intimate of the disciples of Jesus [John 21:7,20] records his teaching in great detail, one often needs to reflect and meditate deeply about the points he records Jesus as making.

There was a 7 day feast in Jerusalem, many were looking for Jesus, but it was only “about the middle of the feast (that) Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.” [John 7:14] They marvel at his words ; then Jesus says, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God …” [John 7:16-17] And that is equally true today as we read his words and the other words God inspired men to write. Paul was later to declare, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness …” [2 Timothy 3:16] The Proverbs we are presently reading are an outstanding example of this.

If our hearts are genuinely operating on a spiritual wavelength we will accept the point Jesus makes, “The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” [John 7:18]

Ever since the days of Jesus the existence of human self-seeking among those claiming to follow him can be observed: Jesus sums up this part of his message by stating, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” [John 7:24]

The religious leaders, dismayed at the popularity of Jesus were blinded by jealousy, there was no humility in their make-up, this is why they said to those who failed to arrest Jesus, “Have you also been deceived?” [John 7:47]

Every generation since has had those who are self-deceived – it is the kind of pride that so easily springs from human nature. Our careful and prayerful reading of God’s word is the antidote. John made an essential point in his first letter, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” [1 John 1:8] Let is make sure the “truth is …in us” and read and meditate on God’s word every day and come closer to him and his Son who came to give real meaning and purpose to our lives.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

16 April 2014

Numbers 35
Proverbs 26
John 8

“YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL”

John’s gospel records in greater detail the sayings of Jesus. Sometimes Jesus did not speak in a straightforward manner, especially to those who were jealous of his popularity and who were trying to challenge him; often he uses figures of speech: these were beyond their ability to understand. Our chapter 8 today is full of this kind of language. His opponents claim, “Abraham is our Father” causing Jesus to say ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did … you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil … He was a murderer from the beginning….” [John 8:39, 43, 44]

The way Jesus uses the word ‘devil’ challenges our understanding, it becomes clearer when recall that in John 6 we read, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil” [John 6:70] clearly referring to Judas Iscariot.

There is no neutral position in Bible language. The first murderer was Cain, he was the first to make himself an ‘enemy’ of God – even before he murdered his brother, he wanted to set his own standards in approaching God. It has been so ever since! We show our genuineness in acknowledging God in the way we live. In those early centuries, the acknowledging of God descended to virtual nothingness by Noah’s day. And today?

Let’s give more thought to the word “devil”! Sometimes the translators do not render the Gk word ‘diabolos’ as devil. Remember Paul’s description of attitudes in “the last days …(when) people will be lovers of self, lovers of money … unholy … slanderous … lovers of pleasure …” [2 Timothy 3:1-4]. The word ‘diabolos’ occurs in the Gk., but the translators choose use the word ‘slanderous’ to translate it – the A V has “false accusers” – those whose heart is “false” – as Judas’s became. How many today have ‘true’ hearts?

We sense more and more that we are living “in the last days” and the world seems to have many “devils” But the vital point we grasp is that we must think and live as “children of God” – a greater vision still than the Jews wanted to have as “children of Abraham.” Let us strive to succeed, where they failed,

Do you remember what we read in Luke’s Gospel last month? Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and who ever does not gather with me scatters.” [Luke 11:23] The place to “gather” is in God’s word, notice how often Jesus quoted from it, let us do the same and show that we are children of our heavenly Father.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

17 April 2014

Numbers 36
Proverbs 27
John 9; 10

"THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE"

In his Gospel John records several challenging sayings of Jesus. How are we to understand, “I and my Father are one” in today’s chapter 10 [John 10:30]? In what sense are they “one”? We know he prayed to his father all night on at least one occasion. [Luke 6:12] and in his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane he said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [Matthew 26:39] So we ask, in what sense was Jesus “one” with his Father when they had separate ‘wills’? We will soon read [John 14] and his words, “I am going to the Father for the Father is greater than I” [John 14:28].

The solution to this conundrum unfolds in John 17 in his final prayer before his betrayal. He is praying for his disciples and says, “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me” [John 17:10]. It was after his all night prayer (in Luke 6) that Jesus chose his 12 disciples [Luke 6:12-16]. Now note the verses which follow in John 17. Our Lord prays, “I am coming to you Holy Father, keep them in your name … that they may be one, even as we are one.” [John 17:11] His prayer for his disciples is that they may have unity of mind, a unity of understanding creating a harmonious team in carrying on his work after he ascended to heaven. Up until this stage there had been times of jealousy, a competition “among them as to which of them was the greatest” [Luke 9:46]

Jesus, and God his Father, had a unique oneness – and this was to be the disciple’s role model. But Jesus extends his vision of oneness further, he prays, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us …” [John 17:20-21]

All those who believe the original gospel as established by the disciples’ preaching should aim to be “one” in this wonderful way. Those who have achieved and maintained this wonderful oneness will be the ones to reign with him when he returns to set up his world-wide kingdom. Paul was very conscious of this and stressed this. He counselled the Ephesians to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace … just as you were called in the one hope … one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” [Ephesians 4:3-6]
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

18 April 2014

Deuteronomy 1
Proverbs 28
John 11

"THE GLORY OF GOD"

What is "the Glory of God"? Is it something utterly wonderful such as the awesome temple that Solomon built? Will it only be seen in the future when Jesus returns to set up God's kingdom?

Jesus uses this phrase in a wonderful and challenging way in today's reading in John 11. Jesus had returned to Bethany and the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, but Lazarus had died – and there was very much grief. We read, "now when Mary came to where Jesus was and she saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, 'Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled." [John 11:32-33]

Jesus was truly human, as we read in Hebrews 4 he was "one who in every respect has been tempted as we are" [Hebrews 4:15]. Jesus says to Mary, "'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept." [John 11:34-35] It is good to try to imagine the scene, they come to the tomb, a stone lay against it. "Jesus said, 'Take away the stone,' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, by this time there will be an odour; for he has been dead four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God.'" [John 11:39-40]

God's glory is in his power, and Jesus had been given "The spirit without measure" [John 3:34]. At the tomb Jesus "lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out'." [John 11:41-43]

Imagine the situation, if you had been in the audience! We cannot conceive the wonder of the glory to come! How near at hand is that time? Some are saying, "Very soon". Martha is confident in her belief about what will happen, let us share her confidence, for she said before Lazarus was raised, "'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day'." [John 11:24] How utterly great will be the glory of God then for "the dead in Christ will rise first" (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16) Live now – so that you will be there.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

19 April 2014

Deuteronomy 2
Proverbs 29
John 12

“EVEN THE AUTHORITIES BELIEVED”

What is it to believe in Jesus? Are there different kinds of belief? There are verses in today’s 12th chapter of John that challenge and open up our understanding of this. It is a question it is vital we ask ourselves. We read, “many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” [John 12:42-43]

So in what sense did many of the authorities believe? Could yours or mine be similar? The first 8 verses in our chapter indicate the belief that Judas Iscariot had – and think of all the many and different miracles Judas must have witnessed! Judas was one of the 12 and when Jesus sent them out he would have performed healings, &c see Matthew 10:5-8.

We read today that at Bethany, 6 days before the Passover [John 12:1] when Jesus was there, “Mary … took a pound of expensive ointment and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” [John 12:3] Judas Iscariot reacted by asking, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii (300 days pay for a .labourer) and given to the poor, he said this … because … having charge of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it” [John 12:5-6].

What kind of “heart” did Judas have as a result of all he had experienced? No doubt there are similar hearts today who diligently read and know God’s word – but who try to serve both God and money, but Jesus bluntly warns of the impossibility of doing this, see Luke 16:13. To “serve” God and His Son in this way – is not service at all.

Our ultimate thought on Judas is that, as he witnessed Jesus escape on several previous occasions, for e.g. Luke 4:29-30 when the Nazarene’s in the “synagogue were filled with wrath … and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill … so they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst he went away” so, when Judas was offered 30 pieces of silver he accepted agreeing to betray him in the darkness and quietness of the night, but he fully expected Jesus would escape again. Such illustrates ways in which the minds of those work who believe, “even as the authorities believed” but, for whom there is no depth to their belief, it has no genuine foundation! Make sure yours has!

Finally, note and deeply meditate on John 12:48 in today’s chapter, “the word that I have spoken” said Jesus, “will judge him (us) on the last day” We must more and more take the fullness of his word into our hearts and let it guide our thoughts and actions.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

20 April 2014

Deuteronomy 3
Proverbs 30
John 13; 14

“HE LOVED THEM TO THE END"

Love is probably the most common word in both Christian and non-Christian literature. It is used in a wide range of situations with many different meanings. It is usually used in common speech today in a very casual way! Are those who read God’s word influenced by this? If we are - it will undermine our appreciation of what this word means in Scripture? In the Greek there are two different words and the one we focus on is ‘agape’ which occurs so much in the Gospel of John; he uses it 27 times; 9 times in today’s chapters [John 13;14].

John 13 today contains a key statement of the Master, “A new commandment I have given you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [John 13:34]. So how did Jesus love them? How did he set an example? What events and words show this? He had just washed their feet and he used this as an example of how to serve one another; however to make a ritual of this would destroy the lesson. It is an example of love and humility toward one another. Jesus said, “I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.” [John 13:15]. Not many hours later he would tell them of the ultimate act of “love” soon to occur – saying “greater love has no man than this” [John 15:13]

Jesus asked, “Who is the greater, one who reclines at table, or one who serves? I am among you as one who serves” [Luke 22:27] So the love that Jesus showed was one of serving, he came as a servant – but will return as a King.

In serving Jesus, we must ourselves seek to show love by what we do. There will be times when we need to be gentle as he was with his disciples when they faltered, and he said “O you of little faith” [Luke 12:28]; but read John 13:22-31. We might think of what we want, but our heavenly Father knows what we need.

He did not send anyone away, they went away themselves when they found his sayings “hard” [John 6:60,66] When John, years later, wrote his epistles he made one particular point which echoed these words of Jesus, “let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” [1 John 3:18] or as the NEB puts it, “love must be genuine and show itself by actions.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

21 April 2014

Deuteronomy 4
Proverbs 31
John 15; 16

"WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING"

We are now getting to the heart of Moses final message as we reach Chapter 4 of Deuteronomy. He is about to die, this is his urgent last exhortation; very shortly this nation which he had agonised over for 40 years as he led them closer and closer to the promised land – but they will cross the Jordan without him. Moses’ words are a powerful message to believers of every age.

The leaders (elders) of the nation are now those who had been teenagers when they escaped from Egypt, they had seen all their parents and older relatives die. As teenagers they had witnessed the wondrous evidence of divine power and presence. They had seen the astonishing lack of faith in parents and relatives leading to their untimely deaths in the wilderness.

Moses reminds them, “I have taught you statutes and rules as the LORD your God commanded me that you should do them in the land that you are entering …” [Deuteronomy 4:5] “Keep them and do them for that will be your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the people … who will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” [Deuteronomy 4:6]. Later he says, “know therefore today, and lay it to heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath: there is no other.” [Deuteronomy 4:39]

This is the key point, not to simply “know” a matter, but to lay it to heart!! So these leaders who had been teenagers 40 years previously went across the Jordan with Joshua as their leader and successfully took possession of most of the land. We are going to read next month that, after Joshua died the people “served the LORD … all the days of the elders who had outlived Joshua who had seen all the great work the LORD had done” [Judges 2:7].

Then came disaster; those who had been teenagers at the time Moses had spoken what we are reading in Deuteronomy, failed to take his message fully to heart! We read in Judges, in the final verse “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” [Judges 21:25]: just as bad, they failed to properly teach their children to follow in their footsteps.

The spirit in the world today is even worse than this, especially among the young – and many of the not so young! This is the key question for today - does the word of God guide our lives – or do you do that which is right in your own eyes? When you read God’s word – do you lay it to heart? We must, it is the only way to please God and His Son and we are reading most meaningful words in John’s Gospel which we aim to comment on tomorrow.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

22 April 2014

Deuteronomy 5
Ecclesiastes 1
John 17; 18

“TO GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO …”

Today we read the conclusion to - what we see as a sort of ‘Bible School’ Jesus gave his disciples in the hours before his arrest. John, his most intimate disciple, records it in wonderful, thought provoking detail. It began with the washing of the disciples feet [John 13], to the end of John 17 - John 18 starts with “When Jesus has spoken these words he went out with his disciples … where there was a garden.”

John 17 contains the climax to his teachings, it is actually his prayer to the Father which John obviously heard. Christ’s teaching had included the wonderful promise that “the Holy Spirit” described as a “Helper … even the Spirit of Truth” [John 14:16-17] would be given to them and this “Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” [John 14:26]

By this means John was able to write down in great detail the teaching at this ‘Bible School’ that took place that evening, probably till after midnight. Jesus is praying for the unity of his disciples for at times there had been dispute among them as to who would be the greatest [Luke 9:46]. Jesus says in his prayer, “ … Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” [John 17:11, 22]. This shows us that there is a perfect unity (not a Trinity, its’ not a Bible word) between Jesus and God, which true followers must also strive to have.

Our Saviour’s prayer to God also acknowledges the “authority” he has been given “to give eternal life to all whom you have given him” [John 17:2] He then says, “this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” [John 17:3] This is to “know” in the sense of developing a real living relationship with Jesus and his Father, developed from a heart-felt ‘knowing’ of his word.

Finally, the prayer of Jesus is also - “I do not ask for these (the disciples) only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they all may be one … so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” [John 17:21-22] And so the disciples became Apostles (which developed the meaning ‘sent forth’ - (see Acts 1:25) and they were a team, there was no further dissension from jealousies between. May we fully follow their example as we share the original gospel with others. Sadly the increasing spiritual darkness in our world is obscuring the light - so look at the challenging, but inspiring words of John in 1 John 1:5-7.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

23 April 2014

Deuteronomy 6; 7
Ecclesiastes 2
John 19

"I SHALL BEHOLD YOUR FACE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS"

The wisest of kings, Solomon, reflects on what his life had really achieved. In reading Ecclesiastes, we perceive his remarkable insight into the meaning and purpose, from a human perspective, of all that we do and all that we possess in our lives. What does Solomon’s insight reveal? He sees he has used his wisdom to accomplish everything possible.

His second chapter details this, “ … my heart still guiding me with wisdom … I made great works, I built houses and planted vineyards … made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools … had slaves … also great possessions of herds … also gathered for myself silver and gold … I got singers … many concubines … so I became great and surpassed all who were before me … whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure … this was my reward for all my toil” [Ecclesiastes 2:3-11]

Consider carefully his conclusion! “this was my reward” - but we noted even more his next comment, “then I considered all that I had done and the toil I had expended.” And what does he see as the outcome of his considerations?

“Behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind.” Other versions have, “I saw everything was emptiness and chasing the wind” (NEB) “meaningless” (NIV). Solomon saw that life has no lasting substance, yet we all strive after things we can possess and experience, but at the end of the day there is nothing ‘eternal’ in what we have achieved! Solomon then declares “so I hated life” [Ecclesiastes 2:17]

It seems evident he wrote Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. He lacked the vision that his father David possessed. David wrote a Psalm and commented about “men of the world whose portion is in this life” but in the next verse stated, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” [Psalm 17:14-15] What will we be satisfied with? Ecclesiastes makes humans look in the mirror of their minds and consider what they are accomplishing in life. Do you have a ‘mirror’ in your mind? What do you see when you look in it? It makes many read and reflect on God’s word more fervently.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

24 April 2014

Deuteronomy 8; 9
Ecclesiastes 3
John 20; 21

“KNOW THEN IN YOUR HEARTS THAT …”

All 5 chapters today challenge us – in our hearts: reading God’s word should, indeed must, cause a valuable degree of conscience searching! Moses final exhortation is dynamic! BUT, only if we read it in the right frame of mind. It includes the words Jesus quoted when he was tempted (read this as ‘tested’ in the wilderness) “ … that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD … Know then in your heart that …” [Deuteronomy 8:3]

Moses earnestly counsels that when they have reached and settled in the promised land to “beware lest you say in your heart, ‘my power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth … if you forget the LORD your God …. I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.” [Deuteronomy 8:17-19]

It is essential that we all reflect on our situation – and that all our trials and our blessings have – and will – come from God, recognising that he (and now also his Son, our mediator) oversee our lives as he did the lives of his nation as they travelled through the wilderness.

Our final chapter in John includes Jesus’ words to Peter ”to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God” [John 21:19] He now had a strong mind and was ready to “be faithful unto death.” In John 20 we have Jesus’ words to Thomas who had been absent when Jesus appeared to the other disciples and is often called ‘doubting Thomas’ because he would not believe the excited testimony of his fellow disciples that “we have seen the Lord.” [John 20:25]

Jesus tells Thomas to “put your finger here, and see my hands; and put your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” [John 20:27]. “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29] .

This 20th chapter ends with some very telling verses, ”Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written so that you may believe … and that by believing you may have life in his name.” [John 20:24-25] This gives us a purposeful and meaningful life and will, when Jesus returns, lead to an existence for eternity in his kingdom, which is far beyond our ability at present to comprehend.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

25 April 2014

Deuteronomy 10; 11
Ecclesiastes 4
Acts 1

“THEREFORE LAY UP THESE WORDS”

We continue to read the earnest words of Moses to the people, he is imploring them to remain faithful to the eternal God, their LORD. “For the LORD your God,” he says, “is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great and mighty and awesome God … you shall serve him and hold fast to him … he is your praise” [Deuteronomy 10:17,20,21]

When we praise God, sing praises to him, we must make sure there is a genuine spirit of praise in our hearts. Moses reminds the elders, who were teenagers when they came out of Egypt and witnessed the awesome events at Sinai, saying, your eyes have seen all the great work of the LORD, that he did.” [Deuteronomy 11:7] And us?

We have the whole of God’s word to read and absorb its’ message – and to be inspired by that message in its many parts – realizing how those parts combine and relate together in a multi-dimensional picture. He warns them that when they come into the land and prosper to “take care lest your hearts be deceived, and you turn aside … then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you …” [Deuteronomy 11:16]

Now apply this picture of God’s blessings and warning to today. What a transformation came over the world when God’s was available in every language – and largely read and preached! We all know what the scene in the world is like today. How long before God acts to punish the world for turning so totally away from him?

We read today in Acts 1 the final words of Jesus before he ascended to heaven, “It is not for you to know the time and seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority … but you will be my witnesses … to the end of the earth.” [Acts 1:7-8] The witnessing has continued through the words they wrote and the other words God inspired men of God to write. The “times” are nearly up – and only those who have “laid up God’s words in their hearts” will rejoice in that time. Make sure you are among them.
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- DC