TFTBR - May 2014

[Resource Manager]

01 May 2014

Deuteronomy 18
Ecclesiastes 10
Acts 9

“THE JUST”

Paul, initially called Saul, appears to have been the main cause of the stoning of Stephen and today’s 9th chapter of Acts starts by telling us of his decision to go to Damascus “so that if he found any belonging to the Way, man or woman, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” It is interesting that the first way in which the followers of Jesus were known was as “the Way.” (see also Acts 9 23; 24:14, 22)

How this came about is not clear, but it immediately reminds us of the words of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6] There is only one way to live – that is, to live eternally, to gain “the life” Jesus offers. Saul was going on the wrong way; we read [Acts 9:3-4], “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

But Saul, soon to be called Paul was not persecuting Jesus – or was he? We did a search and found Paul used the phrase “in Christ” at least 80 times in his letters! One example, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” [Philippians 2:5] “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price” he told the Corinthians [1 Corinthians 6:19-20] Paul very soon fully felt he was not his own, but that Christ owned him, he seems to have felt this more than anyone else. How much do I, do you, feel this?

As we read on in Acts we will see how Paul twice defends himself against false accusations from those he formerly associated with. In Acts 24 we see how he defends himself in Caesarea saying, “… but this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers … that there will be a resurrection both of the just and the unjust.” [Acts 24:14-15]

Let us make sure we will be among “the just” – that we are following the right WAY. Paul experienced much persecution – and this is happening today in some countries – it may spread – but those truly “in Christ” will know that Christ is “in” them and will, as Paul told the Corinthians, having experienced it himself, “will not let you be tempted (or tested) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [1 Corinthians 10:13].
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

02 May 2014

Deuteronomy 19
Ecclesiastes 11
Acts 10

“GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY”

In Acts 10 today there is yet another dramatic account of how the message of Christ was spread still further. Under Christ’s guidance the Apostle Peter is caught up in a situation he never anticipated! He was expected to teach a Roman Centurion, his relatives and close friends the truth about Jesus Christ. He finds himself at his home in Caesarea.

It needed a vision that “inwardly perplexed” him [Acts 10:17] to set him on this course of action. A demonstration of its meaning that he could not mistake caused him to do what he had never imagined himself doing. It was totally against the way the Jews practised their application of the law to go into the home of a non-Jew. This arose from the Jewish conviction that they were a holy nation, a special people, but they had misused this privileged position and now God was inviting all to be part of his holy Nation – look at what Peter wrote in his first Epistle, 1 Peter 2:9.

Divine direction brings Peter into this Roman home in Caesarea, the Centurion said when he entered his home, “we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded of the Lord”. So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” [Acts 10:33-35]

 

The core of his message is the life and teaching of Jesus, “and we are witnesses of all that he did … and he commanded us to preach … that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [Acts 10:39,42,43]

As Peter completes the essential part of his message, to his astonishment the Holy Spirit falls on them, so he realizes they should be baptised. Peter now knows beyond any doubt that the message of Jesus and baptism into his name is for all nations.

This commission to be witnesses applies to every generation. The written word has made all who read and genuinely believe - into disciples of Jesus – and all such also have a responsibility to be witnesses, showing no partiality: it is now possible to travel to distant parts of our world. What great darkness exists today! Let us each shed a little light! What a marvellous privilege to know and believe God’s word and to “have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us”. [Hebrews 6:18].
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

03 May 2014

Deuteronomy 20
Ecclesiastes 12
Acts 11; 12

“BECAUSE HE DID NOT GIVE GOD THE GLORY”

The dramatic death of Herod we read about today gives us an unexpected lesson. It took place after Peter had been miraculously released from prison after his arrest by Herod. Chapter 12 of Acts starts by telling us, “ …Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter …” [Acts 12:1-2].

Jesus had said troubles like this would happen (see Matt 10:17-18). Our chapter tells us of Peter’s miraculous release as the soldiers guarding him were caused to fall fast asleep and the chains fell off his hands. Herod obviously refuses to acknowledge any miracle has occurred and has all the sentries put to death. [Acts 12:19].

It is after this that he goes to Tyre and Sidon “put on his royal robes … and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not a man!’ Immediately and angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory …” [Acts 12:22-23].

In contrast to the demise of Herod, we then read “But the word of God increased and multiplied.” And how it multiplied! It spread and spread until in the 3rd Century it was the official religion of the Roman Empire, but sadly, that also brought the time when the ‘glory’ of the preachers became pre-eminent – and they also taught what the people wanted to hear and the original gospel faded into the background.

In the days of Jesus there were those who “believed in him, but … did not confess it …so … they would not be put out of the synagogue, for the loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” [John 12:42] What “glory” do we love?

The final words in Ecclesiastes we also read are a fitting conclusion to our thoughts. “… all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of Man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

04 May 2014

Deuteronomy 21
Song 1
Acts 13

“WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL”

The Missionary journeys of Paul now commence and today’s reading in Acts 13 is full of drama about his initial experiences. There are a lessons for us today from the varied reactions of people then, they are so similar to today – although today there are even more scoffers.

Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia (southern Turkey) and went into the synagogue and were invited to speak [Acts 13:15]. Paul started by giving them a history lesson of God’s actions in bringing Israel through the wilderness to the promised land; then giving them kings, in particular David who God said is, “a man after my heart, who will do all my will.” [Acts 13:22] His message then jumps forward to the role of John the Baptist – and then to Jesus and how the Jews “fulfilled them (the message of the prophets) by condemning him” [Acts 13:27].

Paul knew many of the Jews in Antioch would do the same by becoming jealous of the Gentiles when they accepted the message that “everyone who believes (in Jesus) is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.” [Acts 13:38-39]. The warning is made, “Beware therefore, lest what is said in the prophets should come about.” [Acts 13:40] – that is, God’s judgement on those who were wilfully blind to this new work of God.

Tragically that’s what happened! Now the same can be said of people today and the reaction of so many to any teaching there is even a God at all! Paul quoted the words God inspired the prophet Habakkuk to write, “Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’” [Acts 13:41, Habakkuk 1:5].

Today we have scoffers who deride the Bible, apparently learned men who scoff at the very thought that there is a God. One day soon, they will “be astounded and perish.” Then God’s laws will come into action, no longer will the permissive laws exist that allow many kinds of ungodliness. Let us prepare ourselves for that time by taking the words of Jesus, the Apostles and the prophets fully to heart.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

05 May 2014

Deuteronomy 22
Song 2
Acts 14; 15

"GOD WHO KNOWS THE HEART..."

Today we read about a conference of a serious nature that took place in Jerusalem among the disciples and other principal brethren, it was about problems that had arisen among the believers. Some of the Pharisees who were now believers in Christ were saying that the Gentiles whom Paul had been converting, that “it is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses” [Acts 15:5]

Peter recounts to the assembly how God had acted to bring about the conversion and baptism of Cornelius, a Roman, and also his relatives and friends so God ordained, says Peter, that “by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God who knows the heart, bore witness to them …” [Acts 15:7-8] How powerful to fully realize that “God knows the heart”! We must meditate on that fact.

The result of the conference is that they decide to write to the Gentiles saying that “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well …” [Acts 15:28-29]

Nowadays, at least in this country, there is no sacrificing to idols or drinking blood or animals strangled so that they retain the blood in their bodies. The one thing that there is ­ here and it seems in all countries ­ is an increasing abundance in “sexual immorality.” It was widespread in those days as we see it is mentioned in nearly all the letters of the apostles and in the final messages of Jesus to the churches [Revelation 2:15,20]

The final message of Jesus in the last chapter in the Bible has Jesus telling us. “Behold I am coming soon (in God’s sense of ‘soon’ for he sees “one day is as a thousand years” [2 Peter 3:8]) bringing my recompense (reward) with me, to repay everyone for what he has done … Outside are the … sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” [Revelation 22:12,15]

Let us all know God in our hearts and realize he knows us ­ so let us keep ourselves from these. To really “know” God, which must include having an intimate prayer life, provides the strength to do this ­ and our regular reading and meditation on his word is an essential part of achieving this.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

06 May 2014

Deuteronomy 23
Song 3
Acts 16; 17

“GOD WHO MADE THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING …”

What exciting chapters [Acts 16; 17] we read in Acts today! We see Paul’s total commitment to preach among as many Gentiles as possible the genuine message of salvation. This was despite whatever kind of hostility arose. He usually began by speaking to the Jews – and “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving …” [Acts 17:2-3] his message about the teaching, life and death of Jesus; but most Jews rejected this with acts of violence.

The Jews revered their holy book, but they seriously misunderstood it – the same has been the case, but for different reasons, among Christians since the first couple of Centuries; since then all too many decide what they want to believe, such as going to heaven when they die – and vainly look for proof, ignoring all the passages that tell them something different.

Paul came to Athens and found “the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” [Acts 17:21]; these were the things of human imagination, but Paul challenged them to get to know “the God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth” [Acts 17:24]. The Bible has made this challenge to the world ever since. Paul told the Athenians to “seek God … that they might feel their way toward him and find him … he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness ..” [Acts 17:27,30,31]

There are increasing reasons to believe that the “day” of judgement in now very close! Our world is in a total mess. The reactions in Athens was that “some mocked” [Acts 17:32] especially at the thought of the dead being raised. What is your reaction? How pleased God will be if he sees your reaction as being like it was “in Thessalonica (where) they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily ...” [Acts 17:11] May we feel motivated to do the same – and not be like the virgins who had no oil in their lamps [Matthew 25:3] or like those, of whom Jesus said in his final message to one of the churches, “because you are lukewarm .. I will spit you out of my mouth … so be zealous … behold I stand at the door …” [Revelation 3:16,19,20]. Let’s be ready to open it.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

07 May 2014

Deuteronomy 24
Song 4
Acts 18; 19

“SHOWING BY THE SCRIPTURES THAT …”

The references to “the Scriptures” in the New Testament refer to the use of the ‘Old Testament’ in the preaching of the message of Christ. It is very disappointing that so many who see themselves as ‘Christians’ today only read the New Testament and sometimes have a Bible that omits most – or even all of the Old Testament.

We read today in Acts of a powerful preacher, “a Jews named Apollos … an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures” [Acts 18:24] who, when he came to Achaia, “he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” [Acts 18:27-28]

We add great strength to our understanding and preaching when we gain a good knowledge of the Old Testament, we notice how often they are quoted in their preaching and writing – as a stimulous to the first generation of believers. We notice how many times passages in Deuteronomy, that we are currently reading, are quoted – Jesus quoted from it in refuting the temptations that came to him when the Spirit led him into the wilderness.

We are also reading the Song of Solomon and this is largely understood as a poetic parable that can be applied to the bride of Christ awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom [song 3:6-7] and how the bride, made up of genuine believers, should make themselves spiritually beautiful in his eyes.

Today’s chapter 4 starts with the bridegroom saying “Behold you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful.” [song 4:1] - and we can interpret the description of the physical beauty as applying to aspects of character that Christ will 'embrace' when he returns. Paul's words to the Philippians are very appropriate; "it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure ... that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights ... holding fast to the word of life " [Philippians 2:13,15,16] How much are you shining and "holding fast"? What are you "showing by the Scriptures"?
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

08 May 2014

Deuteronomy 25
Song 5
Acts 20

“SPEAKING TWISTED THINGS”

In today’s 20th chapter in Acts we have the account of a long conversation Paul had with “the elders of the church” [Acts 20:17] at Ephesus whom he called to see him at the port of Miletus. He told them then “that they would not see his face again” [Acts 20:38].

It was obviously an intense discussion. He tells them, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock … I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert …” [Acts 20:27-31]

It is natural for most of us to want to try to avoid all problems, all controversy, to ignore it if we can. But what does that achieve? Does it bring us closer to God and to Christ? We have many lessons on this from Christ himself in the gospels. Of course the circumstances in Ephesus are different, it is an entirely Gentile community – but what is not different is human nature – and the only solution to that is the development of a genuine Christ-like frame of mind. The foundation ingredient for do that, especially for us today, is the meditative reading of God’s word.

Bible reading is the only way to untwist things that have been twisted. With what intensity did Paul seek to do this! We might think he did this by intense study, reasoning and constructive argumentation, and we see some of this in his letter to them – but what does the text in Acts say?

What is the point he makes in reminding them of the spirit of mind he showed when he was among them? “…. Be alert remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish everyone with tears.” [Acts 20:31] A most challenging example to follow. The lesson is clear – academic reasoning is not the major part of dealing with “twisted things”.

Paul left Timothy at Ephesus [1 Timothy 1:3] and he ends his letter to him by saying, “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions …” We must do the same.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

09 May 2014

Deuteronomy 26
Song 6
Acts 21; 22

“… WITH ALL YOUR HEART”

Sometimes we use the phrase ‘half-hearted’ meaning – we do not feel total commitment to what we are doing. We cannot follow God and His Son, who died for us, in this frame of mind. Our chapter in Deuteronomy today contains a powerful appeal by Moses to the people he will soon leave - about the frame of mind they should set themselves to possess when they start to live in the promised land and enjoy its blessings. They will need full sincerity of heart in serving their God who has given them these blessings, fully realizing he is the only real God.

Moses words contain several passages which are powerful exhortations for us in the 21st Century and our anticipation of an utterly wonderful ‘promised land.’ He writes, “You shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you …and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will chose to make his name dwell there.” [Deuteronomy 26:2] Then Moses briefly gives a history of the formation of the nation from the days of Abraham to the time when “the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds …” [Deuteronomy 26:8].

At this coming time of entry into their promised land, he tells them, “you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you …” [Deuteronomy 26:11] Moses reminds them of all the statutes and rules … the LORD your God commands” adding “ You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.” [Deuteronomy 26:16] He reminds them that they “have declared today that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways …” [Deuteronomy 26:17]

The parallel to our commitment to Christ reaches a higher dimension with Moses next words, “… you are a people for his treasured possession .. he will set you in praise and in fame and in honour high above all nations … you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God.” They briefly achieved this under Solomon, but then God had a greater Son of David in view, and a wonderful promised land for those who follow him. Peter was granted a wonderful comprehension of this that he, with all who follow this Son, “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession …” [1 Peter 2:9]

Let us make sure we are “careful ..with all (y)our heart” to show by our words and actions that we belong to this holy spiritual nation now, for the time is surely close when our faith will be turned to sight.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

10 May 2014

 

Deuteronomy 27

Song 7

Acts 23; 24

 

“CURSED BE ANYONE WHO …”

 

We continue reading Moses’ final instructions to his people before they cross the Jordan into the promised land without him. When they enter the land they are to build an altar to the LORD. On the stones of the altar they are “to write … all the words of this law very plainly” [Deuteronomy 27:8]

 

Moses and the Priests then say “to all Israel, ‘Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the LORD your God. You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD …” [Deuteronomy 27:9-10]

 

We can draw a comparison in this with the day when we took on the name of Christ in baptism (or when we do do so). Moses then says that when they have come into the land “the Levites shall declare to all…” [Deuteronomy 27:14] certain specific warnings about behaviour God hates, for they, as the people of God, members of his chosen nation, bring dishonour upon themselves and, in a sense, upon him should they do so. Most of these are equally applicable to those who take on the name of Christ through baptism and then dishonour the name of Christ in aspects of their behaviour.

 

Moses says, when they are in land, “ … the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel with a loud voice” [Deuteronomy 27:14] such things as, “Cursed be anyone who dishonours his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen’” [Deuteronomy 27:16] Similarly, “Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow, And all the people say, ‘Amen.’ [Deuteronomy 27:19] – And by saying that they acknowledge awareness of this warning.

 

There are curses on a variety of sexual misconduct, also, “Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe …” [Deuteronomy 27:25] And the final verse, “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them. And all the people shall say ‘Amen’”

 

Is it the same with following the teachings of Christ? Yes, but we can be most thankful that there is the principle of grace. But, Paul asks believers, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” [Romans 6:1-2] Let us all “live in” service to Christ, using our various individual talents and opportunities to bring honour to his name.

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- DC

[Resource Manager]

11 May 2014

Deuteronomy 28
Song 8
Acts 25; 26

“JOYFULNESS AND GLADNESS”

Deuteronomy 28 starts, “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments … these blessings shall come upon you … [Deuteronomy 28:1-2]. It is very sad that the succeeding generations failed to be careful to do this, so God’s blessings ceased and later, curses came upon them instead (read Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

In Acts we have been reading how Paul first preached Christ to the Jews but there was great opposition from many of them so God said, as he quoted to King Agrippa in today’s reading, “I will send you far away to the Gentiles” [Acts 22:21] Now Paul has meaningful things to say about this when he wrote to the Romans. The failure of the Jews to accept Christ “means riches for the Gentiles” [Romans 11:12] Paul describes the Gentiles as being grafted in to God’s olive tree to replace “some of the branches (that) were broken off” [Romans 11:17]. But then Paul warns these Gentile branches that have been grafted in and are receiving God’s blessings to “stand in awe for if God did not spare the natural branches neither will he spare you” [Romans 11:20-21]

We could not but think as we read the Deuteronomy chapter that some of the warnings against natural Israel about what would happen if they let God down can now be applied in the 21st Century to the largely faithless “Christian”(?) nations. For example, “From heaven dust shall come down upon you until you are destroyed” [Deuteronomy 28:24] “The LORD will strike you with … confusion of mind” [Deuteronomy 28:28] “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore …” [Deuteronomy 28:47]

Many nations, like Israel of old, have experienced abundance, but what kind of “joyfulness and gladness” has resulted? Peter quoted David in the Psalms and the experiences among the first generation of believers was a fulfilment of this. “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence” [Acts 2:28].

Let us live so that all the blessings we read of today come upon us. Our knowledge and belief in the truth of God’s word can give us a foretaste now, but what wonderful future blessings are promised! While knowledge and belief are an essential foundation, prayerful godly living is needed to complete the character of Christ being formed in us. Let make sure we are doing this.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

12 May 2014

Deuteronomy 29
Isaiah 1
Acts 27

“THE SECRET THINGS BELONG TO THE LORD”

How meaningful are the words Moses uses as he is completing his last message to the nation. Chapter 29 of Deuteronomy today ends with these very interesting words, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” [Deuteronomy 29:29]

God has “secret things” that he chooses not to reveal to his chosen people, or even to Moses. One of those “secret things” is how he created the world, the simple fact is that he created it, as the beginning of Genesis tells us; doing so in daily stages. We can see it had to be this way as several of these stages depended one upon another.

It is very interesting that when God finally revealed himself to Job (his book is contemporary with Genesis), he asks him questions – but does not reveal the answers, He asks, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? … Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding …” [Job 38:2,4] Job confesses to God, “I know that you can do all things … I have uttered what I did not understand, things to wonderful for me, which I did not know.” [Job 42:2-3]

God told Moses he had revealed the things that are essential for us to know. This is a vital point for us to acknowledge, especially in the 21st Century when men and women of science – want to believe they can know and understand the nature of everything.

We started today to read the remarkable prophecies God gave to Isaiah. God says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD, though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow … if you are willing and obedient …” [isaiah 1:18-19] The world around us does not want to reason in this way, they want to reason there is no God – but look what increasing chaos and evil is developing in the world as a result! Let us be “willing and obedient” to leave “the secret things … to the LORD” for those who think they are starting to discover them are only fooling themselves – in the age to come when those who have reasoned together (with the Lord) are made, said Jesus, “equal unto the angels” [Luke 20:36] – then they will know the wonder of “the secret things.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

13 May 2014

Deuteronomy 30
Isaiah 2
Act 28

"OBEY HIS VOICE"

Moses today, in Deuteronomy 30, completes his exhortation to the people who are about to enter the promised land. We still have the words of his song to come in Deuteronomy 32. We need to appreciate why he taught them a song – and it’s not a short one! Everything depended on memory. There are references to people developing and possessing fantastic memories in early Centuries, such as being able to memorise all the Psalms.

A good memory enables you to have God’s “word … very near you.” But we need the right attitude to the value of memory learning – the words must be very meaningful so that they stir our thinking and create a real sense of motivation in our minds, but verses lose their purpose when people simply recite them by rote.

Moses writes, “return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul” [Deuteronomy 30:2]. The result will be evident when they come “into the land that your fathers possessed, that … he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers” [Deuteronomy 30:5]

Then comes a key verse, “and the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” [Deuteronomy 30:6] Is not the message of Jesus to us the same!

Then in Deuteronomy 30:14 we have the words, “but the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” We thought how today the word of God is very near us, freely available in a multitude of different languages; but is it within the “hearts” of those who possess copes of it? Is it in yours?

As Moses brings his final message to a climax notice the reference to the need for love! “If you obey … by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you … therefore chose life that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him.” [Deuteronomy 30:16,19,20].

We lay a firm foundation to choosing eternal life, by reading and reflecting on portions of God’s word every day – doing it in a way that makes sure “the word is very near” us.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

14 May 2014

Deuteronomy 31
Isaiah 3; 4
Colossians 1

“… FULLY PLEASING TO HIM”

Today we start reading several letters of Paul beginning with his message to the Colossians. They are letters of encouragement for them to remain fully committed to following Christ in the face of various difficulties. He tells them, “I have not ceased to pray for you” [Colossians 1:8-9]. In his prayer he is “asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to him” [Colossians 1:9-10]

There can be no half measures when we commit our lives to serving Christ – we must aim to be “fully pleasing” to the unseen presence of our Lord sensing the reality that “in him we live and move and have our being” as we read last week in Acts 17:28. Our Lord is now seated “at the right hand of God” as we will read in Colossians 3:1.

In today’s chapter Paul reminds the Colossians that they “once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” [Colossians 1:21] as Paul himself had been. Very few of us can look back on that kind of life – and we suspect that those who can are wonderfully motivated to make sure they are “fully pleasing” to their Saviour. But how motivated do the rest of us feel? Does it not depend on how clear is our perception of that which is “unseen”?

Paul told the Corinthians, “the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” [2 Corinthians 4:18] Coming back to today’s chapter – Paul’s words in Colossians 1:23 apply just as much to us as to them, that we will be “fully pleasing … if you indeed continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel …” Our daily reading of God’s word is a vital part of making sure we do that.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

15 May 2014

Deuteronomy 32
Isaiah 5
Colossians 2

“FOR IT IS NO EMPTY WORD”

We read today the song Moses spoke “in the ears of all the assembly of Israel.” The song is long and has a remarkable text. They were expected to learn it, to bring it to mind as they entered and lived in the promised land. Of course there were no books, i.e. scrolls, readily available to the people – and in any case we presume only a select few could read – but God had seen to it that Moses, in his youth, “was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds”, said Stephen [Acts 7:22]

 

Moses song starts, “… let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, like gentle rain … For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; and ascribe greatness to our God!” [Deuteronomy 32:1-3] Let us appreciate the spiritual application of these words.

The song is a warning to those who do not serve God, the only real God, who is now about to bring them into the promised land, he is “A God of faithfulness … just and upright is he. They (in the past) have dealt corruptly with him … Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations;” [Deuteronomy 32:4,5,7] But God knows that future generations will not learn from the mistakes, the failures of faith, in the past. “Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people?” [Deuteronomy 32:6] This could be said to our world today! May it not be said to us!

After completing the song Moses says, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live …” [Deuteronomy 32:46-47]

We are blessed in having all the words that God caused men to utter - and for them (and others) to write down and preserve. The climax is the final message of his son in the last book of the Bible that he gave to his loving disciple John in his old age.

The final words of the song [Deuteronomy 32:47] can be used as a promise to us, to all who genuinely aim to serve God; “by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess” God has promised the whole world as a promised land to those who love him – and this “is no empty word.”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

16 May 2014

Deuteronomy 33; 34
Isaiah 6
Colossians 3; 4

“YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN”

Paul told the Colossians that ”you have died and your life is hidden …” What does he mean? Are we clear in understanding the sense in which they had died – and how their life was now hidden? If we meditate on the first 4 verses of the 3rd chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians [Colossians 3:1-4] we will be richly repaid, but first we look back at chapter 2 and its reference to believers “having been buried with him in baptism” [Colossians 2:12] and the equally significant next words, “in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God …”

We are now ready to more fully see the significance of the opening words of chapter 3; “If then you have been raised with Christ …” [Colossians 3:1] Do we tend to omit the word “if”? Do we have any doubt we have been “raised” – in a spiritual sense? Re-born is another way of putting it – remember the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus in the night! (see John 3 from verse 3) You “cannot see the kingdom of God” unless you have been born again.

Coming back to Paul, he makes the point that those “raised with Christ seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” And in seeking them they (and ourselves) must, “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” If we fully “set” our “minds” in this way we will realize we “have died and (y)our life is hidden with Christ in God” - and the outcome will be wonderful, for “When Christ who is your life appears then you also will appear with him in glory."

If our life is not hidden in this sense – then we will not “appear with him in glory” Paul tells the Colossians that they “once walked” [Colossians 3:7] in the wrong way, and so did we; but now, we pray, we have put on, or are in the process of putting on the character of Christ. Paul describes this, among other things as “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience” [Colossians 3:12] In these things we show that our “life is hidden”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

17 May 2014

Joshua 1
Isaiah 7
1 Thessalonians 1; 2

“IF YOU ARE NOT FIRM IN FAITH”

All 3 of our readings today provoke serious meditation about human reactions to God. We started reading Joshua and saw God’s challenge to him to take his people over the Jordan. He is told, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land … [Joshua 1:5-6]

In Isaiah 7 the prophet is told to “Go and meet (king) Asa” [isaiah 7:3] and encourage him to face the threats from the north. He is to tell him, “Be careful, do not fear, and do not let your heart in faint …” [isaiah 7:4] Then the king is bluntly warned, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” [isaiah 7:9] It is not possible to have a sort of half-faith!

Ahaz feels he is putting God to the test if he asks with a full expectation God will preserve him, he says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test” [isaiah 7:12] Because of his lack of faith the LORD then gives, through Isaiah, messages to him of bad times to come when, among other things, “all the land will be briers and thorns” [isaiah 7:24]

In the New Testament we started to read Paul’s 1st letter to the Thessalonians and saw how he is commending them on “how you turned … to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [1 Thessalonians 1:9-10]

These words as so meaningful for us today; let us be “firm in faith” that God means what he caused his servants such as Paul to write. May we, with full conviction in the word of God, “wait for his son from heaven’ sensing that “wrath” will soon be coming on our world because it has reached the stage of near total godlessness. Let us not neglect our regular Bible reading as it lays the foundation to being “firm in faith” and to “be strong and courageous” both now – and even more – when the promised “wrath to come” actually happens and the dramas we will read of tomorrow in Paul’s words actually takes place.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

18 May 2014

Joshua 2
Isaiah 8
1 Thessalonians 3; 4

“ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS”

The last 2 verses of today’s 3rd chapter in 1st Thessalonians is specially thought provoking. “… may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus …” [1 Thessalonians 3:12-13] Read that again slowly! Can you imagine your heart being “blameless in holiness?”

What is the process by which he will establish our hearts in this way? One thing Paul is telling us is that this establishing of our hearts is the result of the way we “increase and abound in love for one another.” Love comes, as Paul sees it, in different qualities and quantities! Paul did not know when the Lord would return, just as we do not, but the expectation has grown increasingly high in recent years. We take note also that the establishing of our hearts “blameless in holiness” is “before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord…” It is what the Lord is looking to see at this wondrous time!

At the beginning of his Epistle Paul commends them for their “work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope” [1 Thessalonians 1:3] But note what we read in 1 Thessalonians 3 today! After being encouraged by “the good news” of their “faith and love” that Timothy [1 Thessalonians 3:6] brought to him, Paul writes, “we pray earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face” – and there is a particular reason for this earnest prayer! It is so that he could then “supply what is lacking in your faith” [1 Thessalonians 3:10]

From what we had previously read we would have thought they had demonstrated a really good faith! Let us remember the emphasis in James’ epistle on this vital quality believers must possess. “You know,” James writes, “that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” [James 1:3-4]

It seems that what was “lacking” in their faith was some testing! They had done works of faith, but Paul knew it needed testing to make sure it would remain “steadfast” – a vital factor in establishing our “hearts blameless in holiness before our God” A vital lesson for us today! A faith testing time is coming on this world – there is no doubt about that – but is your heart established blameless and strong ready for that time of testing? We need to do a lot of heart searching: remember and reflect on our thoughts yesterday.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

19 May 2014

Joshua 3; 4
Isaiah 9
1 Thessalonians 5

“GOD HAS NOT DESTINED US FOR WRATH”

We follow on from our thoughts yesterday about our “our hearts being established blameless in holiness” with Paul’s conclusion to his first letter to the Thessalonians where he stresses very strongly to them that “having put on the breastplate of faith … God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us …” [1 Thessalonians 5:8-10]

The wonder of that salvation which those who truly serve God will experience is illustrated for us in today’s chapter in Isaiah [isaiah 9] where there are words which have found a prominent place in the famous Oratorio ‘The Messiah.’

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder … of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness …” [isaiah 9:6-7]

We took particular notice of the phrase, “the increase of his government” which implies the spread of his control – and noted Paul’s words today – that when “people are saying , ‘There is peace and ‘security’ then sudden destruction will come upon them” [1 Thessalonians 5:3] People everywhere will feel a more urgent need than today for peace and security, and when they think they are achieving it, then – disaster!

But then, wonderfully, the child who was born, the “Son” of God, returns to rebuild life on earth on divine principles; a complete rebuilding will be necessary. “The increase of his government” indicates this as the general population recovers from the terrible experience of the “sudden destruction.” As we read on in Isaiah we will come across passages such as in Isaiah 34, of the time coming when “the LORD is enraged against all the nations and furious against all their host (armies); he has devoted them to destruction …” [isaiah 34:2]

May we all live our lives so that we are among those of whom it will be true to say and experience that, “God has not destined us for wrath,” but to obtain salvation.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

20 May 2014

Joshua 5; 6
Isaiah 10
2 Thessalonians 1; 2

“YOUR FAITH IS GROWING ABUNDANTLY”

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians shows he now has greater confidence in them, in their faith and love, this causes him “to give thanks to God … because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” [2 Thessalonians 1:3]

He commends their “steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions” [2 Thessalonians 1:4] We are aware that there are true believers in some countries of whom this can be said today – and this is true of every generation. As Jesus said in his message to Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” [Revelation 2:9-10] Let us all be “rich in faith.”

Ukraine is much in the news these days – and there are true believers there today and we pray specially for them and for those in Iran - and we know that Stalin wiped out our community of believers in Ukraine in the 1930s.

We ponder the reference in the 2nd chapter to a particular “man of lawlessness” and that there will be a “rebellion”. We see just about everyone, in a sense, rebelling against any meaningful belief in their being a God. The “day of the Lord” then occurs. The leader of this rebellion is “against every so-called god or object of worship” [2 Thessalonians 2:4] In a sense the ‘doctrine’ of evolution fulfils this, being against any concept of their being a God, a Creator whom humans should worship and serve.

Humans are also worshipping money – and Jesus said, no one “can serve two Masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” [Luke 16:13] Nearly everyone is devoted to the things money can buy today.

Finally we note Paul’s warning that “those who are perishing” will do so because “they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” [2 Thessalonians 2:10] James wrote [James 2:5], “has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him” Let us are “rich” in the things our Master approves making sure we truly “love him” and that our “faith is growing abundantly”.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

21 May 2014

Joshua 7
Isaiah 11
2 Thessalonians 3

“MAY THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS TO …”

As Paul concludes his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians he tells them, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” [2 Thessalonians 3:5] It is evident that the Lord cannot “direct” this – unless our hearts are already “looking” toward our Saviour. Paul told the Hebrews, they needed to be “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith” [Hebrews 12:2] and the Greek. For “looking” refers to a fixed direction of ‘looking.’

It is evident that this cannot happen unless our attitude of heart is already desiring this. We read today in Joshua of the judgements of God that affected the whole nation because one man coveted some of the spoil of Jericho when it was destroyed. It is evident it was a deliberate calculated act because when Achan is identified, under the direction of God, he admits, he took them, including silver and gold and “they are hidden in the earth inside my tent” [Joshua 7:21].

The words Joshua addressed to Achan are significant, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me what you have done.” [Joshua 7:19] Honest confession to God, gives him a form of “glory” because it acknowledges the total supremacy of an all knowing Creator. But Achan’s sin was a calculated deception and “all Israel stoned him with stones” [Joshua 7:25] and our thoughts turn to the words of Paul in Hebrews that “if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of Judgment …” [Hebrews 10:26]

Thankfully for our human weaknesses and failures, the grace of our Lord is readily extended to us, but let us never forget the lesson of Achan, who should have felt an awed humility when he saw the walls of Jericho fall without any human effort. What of us, when God destroys the “walls” of the remarkable ‘civilisation’(?) human beings have now created in this modern world?

Finally, the inspiring chapter we read in Isaiah today [isaiah 11] gives us such a wonderful vision of the future God has planned for our world and for those faithful to him and his Son; in reading them we should feel spiritually motivated to live our lives more and more to reflect that we really are his spiritual sons and daughters looking forward to the time when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” [isaiah 11:9] Is your motivation increasing? Are you seeking more and more earnestly for “the Lord to direct your heart”? Remember what he is directing it toward – read again the opening quote from Paul’s letter.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

22 May 2014

Joshua 8
Isaiah 12
1 Timothy 1; 2; 3

"YOU WILL SAY IN THAT DAY"

We usually have a reasonable idea of what we are going to talk about as today progresses, also some of the things that are likely to be part of our thoughts and conversations tomorrow – but it is invaluable to meditate on what the 6 verses that make up the entire 12th chapter of Isaiah told Israel and tells us of what “you will say on that day.”

How utterly wonderful to be among those who will say, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength …” [isaiah 12:2] Of course, believing in God and his Son should always be the foundation on which our “strength” rests – it is not physical strength is it! What strength of mind do you have? How much does your mind meditate on the ultimate future?

In Isaiah 12:3 we read “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”. This takes our thoughts to what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “… whoever drinks of the water that I will give him …(it) … will become in him (or her) a spring of water welling up to eternal life” [John 4:14] We link this saying with his words “on the last day of the feast” that the one “who believes in me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” [John 7:38] After Jesus left them, “the Spirit” [John 7:39] was to flow out of the heart of the disciples to produce more of the words of God – on which we can (and must) feed our minds.

Now back to Isaiah, the last 2 verses vividly picture the time when the redeemed will “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously … Shout and sing for joy. O inhabitant of Zion. For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” [isaiah 12:5-6] These words take us to “the song of the Lamb” in Revelation 15. Let us live so that, by the grace of God we will be there to experience and sing this “in that day”

“Great and amazing are your deeds O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! … For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” [isaiah 12:3-4] At the moment they have been concealed – except to those who read and mediate on God’s word and prepare themselves for what they “will say (and sing) in that day”
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

23 May 2014

Joshua 9
Isaiah 13
1 Timothy 4; 5

“THE DAY OF THE LORD COMES”

Isaiah 13, todays’ reading, appears to have a double application: it tells us [isaiah 13:1] it is an “oracle concerning Babylon,” but much of its content is remarkably parallel to the ‘Babylon’ described in the book of Revelation. It is enlightening to note that the word ‘Babylon’ in the Hebrew is actually ‘Babel’; part of this chapter appears to be about the ‘Babel’ of the last days.

In the days of Isaiah Assyria was the enemy Israel feared, Babylon was not yet a nation to be feared. Isaiah is caused to write of “The sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle … the weapons of his indignation to destroy the whole land” [isaiah 13:4-5] What “land” is to be destroyed? The same Hebrew word (eretz) is translated as “earth” in Isaiah 13:13, “the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger”. To our way of thinking it should be understood as “earth” in both places.

We note the context, look at Isaiah 13:9-11, “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger …the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” This describes a far greater calamity than when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and brought to an end the kingdom established under David and Solomon. We must seriously consider how it describes the world today, with its’ world-wide ungodliness when “every way of man is right in his own eyes” [Proverbs 21:2] and there is no thought that an all-seeing Creator even exists.

Are we to expect physical signs – will the sun “be dark” and “the moon will not shed its light”? There has been talk about the fact that ‘blood moons’ (eclipses) are occurring twice this year and again next – remarkably coinciding with the Jewish Holy Days of the Passover and Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus made some awesome prophecies, that “there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven” [Luke 21:11] But he also said, “there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation … if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose …” [Mark 13:19-20]

Make sure you are among the elect – for “he will send out the angels and gather his elect … from the ends of the earth” [Mark 13:27] An utterly awesome divine forecast of events – we close our eyes to it – at our peril.
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

24 May 2014

Joshua 10
Isaiah 14
1 Timothy 6

MORNING STAR

Isaiah 14 is the one chapter in the Bible which, in the A V version, contains the word “Lucifer” [isaiah 14:12] and believers in the Devil often think this is his special name. They jump to this conclusion because the verse starts with the words, “How you are fallen from heaven”! This is an example of how the Bible can be searched for proof of an idea – and the context of a verse completely ignored.

Isaiah 14:4 describes this as a “taunt (AV ‘proverb’) against the king of Babylon”. In those days there was widespread belief in astrology; the reading of signs through ‘interpreting’ the movements of stars in the sky! Well, today we still have horoscopes supposedly based on this. In those days really important people, especially kings, were represented by the brightest stars.

Modern versions have ‘Day Star’ or ‘Morning Star’ instead of Lucifer in the text. This is a prophecy against a King and the greatest one in that era would be Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet is using the superstitions of the time to make a powerful point; the great and mighty rulers of Babylon would fall dramatically from power, which happened in the time of Daniel.

Now let’s read this chapter more carefully. Reading from the beginning we see the circumstances that are to exist when this ‘taunt’ is taken up against the King of Babylon. We see it is a dramatic latter day prophecy because at that time “The Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel and will set them in their own land … they will take captive those who were their captors … when the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, you will take up this taunt …” Much of this situation is still future, although the setting for it to happen is now in place in the Middle East. It cannot be that this taunt applies to a great king who reigned 2,700 years ago. We wait to see who it is – but the prophecy says this terrible last “oppressor” [isaiah 14:4] is one “that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution … who laid the nations low … who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert” [isaiah 14:6, 12, 16, 17] Maybe this is the same as the man called “Gog” in Ezekiel 38, or the “man of Sin” in 2 Thessalonians 2? But prophecy is not given to make us “clever” to know matters in detail before they happen! Instead, we should really appreciate what Peter wrote, read 2 Peter 3:11-13
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- DC

[Resource Manager]

25 May 2014

Joshua 11
Isaiah 15
2 Timothy 1

"POWER AND LOVE AND SELF CONTROL ... "

The final letter of the Apostle Paul was his second letter to Timothy. His opening verses after his usual greeting is to write of Timothy’s faith. Note how he expresses it, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” [2 Timothy 1:5] We know nothing of his father, except he was a Greek, although his mother was a Jewess [Acts 16:1].

What a lesson this is of the valuable role of women in their commitment to Christ and the inspiration they can give to children and grandchildren, we know well the commitment that was obviously in the women who went to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection. In the next verse Paul writes, “For this reason (your faith) I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” [2 Timothy 1:6].

A “sincere faith” is an essential ingredient in any natural abilities and talents we have. In those days abilities or gifts were given by Apostles such as Paul. His first letter to the Corinthians illustrates the range of such abilities, many of which we would see as “natural” – such as wisdom and knowledge [1 Corinthians 12:8] Paul desires “especially that you may prophesy.” [1 Corinthians 14:1] which means, to reveal God’s attitude and purpose, not necessarily to predict the future – this is evident in the Old Testament prophets such as Jeremiah. Today God’s word should “fan into flame” our desire to use our various abilities to do as much work as we can for our Lord.

Back in the letter to Timothy we noted the next 2 verses [2 Timothy 1:7-8] “for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord …” In so many countries in the world the message of Christ is now held in low regard, so it is now more necessary than ever to develop this spirit of strength of mind to enhance our “sincere faith” and follow in the footsteps of Timothy.

How would someone who knows you well write about your faith?
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- DC