Sunday, 27 December 2020

Fear

Fear afflicts our lives one time or another. There are 300 references in the Bible, showing how serious 

the problem is. Fear of the unknown is the greatest  fear.

There are two kinds of fear in Scripture:

1. The fear of the Lord- Pro.1:7, 19:2.

2. The fear of man, Pro.29:25.

The 2nd is a direct product of sin-Gen.3:9-10.

God wants us to be free from its grip- Is. 41:10. (a command?)

Fear paralyses and makes us disloyal. We cannot live healthy Christian lives if we are gripped by fear.

There is healthy fear, that protects us (e.g. a passing car), but also unhealthy fear (the fear of man or from the devil).

How do we free ourselves from fear? 'Perfect Love....'-1 John 4:18. The command is 'Fear God' which is the conclusion- Eccl.12:13, but we also need to work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling- Phil.2:12.

How do we recognize true fear? 

1. By its rise. It causes saving conviction of sin. It drives the soul to lay hold of Christ for Salvation.

2. It produces in the soul great reverence for God , His Word, His ways, keeping us afraid to turn to wrong, or do anything that offends or grieves His Holy Spirit, or causes the enemy to speak reproachfully.

God is not the Author of unclean Fear, that usually comes from a spirit-2 Tim.1:7-8.

The Holy Spirit dwells in the life of the believer, we cannot hold two opposing spirits simultaneously. There is no room for fear in the life of a true believer.

What do we do when fear comes upon us?  Ps.56:3.


Saturday, 19 December 2020

Prophets 

Prophets are God's vehicle for communicating His Word. What is the mark of a true Prophet?

1. A prophet is an ordinary man. There is nothing extraordinary about the man God uses. Not a super Christian.

2. The prophet is an obedient man. He is a man that does not speak of himself. A vehicle to bring the Word. The Word he gives is not his own. Furthermore he does not take it personally when his message is rejected, nor when it is accepted.

3. He is a man who recognizes that his role is completely out of his hands. His message is from beyond- 1 Cor.4:10. As servants of God we must see that the role we have to play is out of our hands. Success or failure will not ultimately be charged to us.

4.The prophet is impartial in his administering the Word. He becomes like God who is not a 'respecter of persons'. He is one who cannot be bribed to change his message, like Balaam. When people harm God's prophets they do a dangerous thing - Ps.105:15. When anyone harms a prophet of God it can backfire in one of two ways. It maybe that the person who has done so will soon be struck down. Sometimes when people harm  God's prophets the consequences is a general famine of the Word of God, Jer.23:28-29.

How different the prophet in the O.T. were to the ones of today. When they spoke to bring the Word, people knew that God had spoken .The true prophets of God were indeed holy men of God. They had an awesome responsibility before God and they were aware of it fully.



Sunday, 13 December 2020

Suffering

Why does God allow suffering and evil? A puzzling question. Why the good suffer, the evil seem to prosper, etc.- Ps.73:1-5. 

Nobody escapes suffering in this life. We live in a world full of evil, pain and suffering. A world under the curse, Rom.8:20-23.
What is the cause, what is the answer?
Firstly, the primary cause of all suffering and evil is Sin that came into the world.
Secondly, there are two main causes that bring about suffering:
1. Can be caused by people's actions, attitudes and behaviour. Remember- one of Adam's sons killed his brother.
2. Can be caused by Satan and demonic activity. Look at Job's case- Job. 1-2.
The results of most suffering are:- sickness, pain, mental afflictions, wounds, distress and lots more.
But suffering can also come as a form of judgement, e.g. the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues in Egypt, etc.
Suffering can also come upon the believer. Why?
As a remedial cause to correct us and shape us for eternity. But believers must face suffering with the right attitude, Heb.12:4-6.
Job, when suffering thought it was because of sin, Job 42:3. The Disciples thought the blind man sinned  John 9:1-3.  Paul's, ' thorn in the flesh' became a source of blessing to countless people, 2 Cor. 
12:7-10. The Psalmist's experience- Ps.119:67.
What is our attitude to suffering? Do we blame God and people or view it as a means of growth in the Faith? Look at Job's attitude: Job 1:20-21.

Sunday, 6 December 2020

Matthew 8:18-27

'I will follow you.....'

The scribe must have meant it and so do many of us in deciding to follow Jesus.

"the foxes have holes" Jesus promises nothing, only Himself. Christianity is not a bed of roses. full of endless bliss.

Another said, "let me bury...." they all had something on their minds. Jesus said, ' No one having put his hand on the plough....' Luke 9:62.

Following Jesus is not always being in a Church meeting or singing Hallelujahs. Sometimes we find ourselves in a storm or a test to take. Sometimes we are ridiculed, falsely accused or have a cross to bear. They did the same to Him and will do the same to you. They said to Him on the Cross, 'If you are....' .

He told His disciples, 'Go to the other side', no mistake. They paid little attention to His word. So do we often, while following Him. They were experienced fishermen, yet frightened, but he was in the boat with them. We are perishing! He promised, 'I will never leave you nor....' They cried out, 'Lord save us' Men of little faith.

Do we have a mustard seed of faith? God put us in a school down here, to prepare us for Heaven. Paul and Silas, following Jesus, landed in a jail. but praised God and found deliverance. The three boys found themselves in a furnace obeying God, but God came down to be with them.

The frightened disciples learned a lesson to remember forever.

Not pleasant when going through difficulties, but when on the other side we will be better persons for God. Heb. 12:11.

Sunday, 22 November 2020

Joshua 3:2-17.

Crossing the river Jordan.

The second time the Israelites had to cross a water obstacle since leaving Egypt.

The first obstacle was a deep sea, the second one a flowing flooded river.  What are the lessons drawn from this passage in Scripture?

1. The faithfulness of the priests bearing the Ark.

2. The obedience of the Israelites to the leadership of Joshua.

What is the situation?

 The Israelites after 40 years wandering in the wilderness are poised to enter the Promised Land encamped  on the plains of Moab. They are faced with a formidable obstacle, the flooded river Jordan,  It is the time of harvest and the river overflows its banks, a huge area under water, full of danger. There is no bridge, no transport or any other means to make the crossing possible. But God commanded that they cross. It is God's way and the Ark leads the way for the people, but for this to happen the priests are involved.

God's command to the priests was clear, ' Take up the Ark.....'

The Ark led the way; clearly visible for all the people to follow, making sure that it was safe for them to cross. It is God who leads us and shows the way to go, Is.48:17. He leads and guides us and we must not think that we know the way. He has the means to do so.

Throughout their journeyings to the Promised Land the Ark went before them to prepare the way and they followed, Not the other way round. But for this to happen there was a vital element-The Priests who carried the Ark. They were the ministers of God's Grace to the people. Without them the Ark would be stationary, i.e. no leading forward. Now we are the Priests of God ministering to His people.

The Priests had an awesome responsibility before the people and before God. They had to carry the Ark and walk ahead. They stood in the water and trusted God to do what He had said. They believed what God had said and moved on in Faith. They were between God and the people. A picture of Intercession. What was the result of this situation? The river parted, the waters stood still, the way for the people was open to cross over. It is a good and desirable thing to want a ministry but we must realize that this carries a great responsibility before God and the people. It needs faithfulness and obedience.

In spite of the obvious risks they faced the priests stood firm without murmuring or objections. Not like us.

After 40 years of wandering we see a clear change in the attitude and behaviour of the new generation of the Israelite Nation. The previous generation that came out of Egypt perished in the wilderness. We see a new generation, obedient and ready to move on with God.

Moses, the great leader bore the brunt of that rebellious and murmuring generation but he pressed on 'as seeing the invisible'. In the end he was excluded from entering the Promised Land. God found a new leader, faithful and obedient to Him. God clearly endorsed the leadership of Joshua. We hear of no objections or murmurs against Joshua. People recognized that he was God's choice. Do people recognize us as God's choice to lead and minister to His people? A godly minister in the Church is a comfort to all the people of God. What are our attitudes in the Church of God? How do we face problems?


Sunday, 15 November 2020

John 15:1

'I am the true vine and.....'

The Heavenly Father as the Husbandman watching over our abiding in the vine, over our growth and fruit bearing. It is not left to our faith or to our faithfulness to maintain our union with Christ.

God the Father Himself will see that the branch is what it should be and will enable us to bring forth fruit we are appointed to bear.

'every branch that beareth fruit He.....' More fruit is what the Father seeks. More fruit is what the Father Himself will provide. That is why the vinedresser cleanses the branches.

Of all  fruit bearing plants on earth there is none that produces fruit so full of the spirit from which spirit can be distilled. Of all fruit bearing plants there is none that is so ready to run to wild wood and for which pruning and cleansing are indispensable.

The one great work that a vinedresser has to do for the branch every year is to prune it. Other plants can go for a time, dispense with it and yet bear fruit. The vine must have it. One thing that the branch which desires to abide in Christ, bring forth much fruit, be able to ask whatsoever it will must do is to trust in and yield itself to this Divine cleansing.

What is it that the Divine vinedresser cuts away with the pruning knife? Nothing but wood with the true vine nature in it. This must be cut away. Why? Because it draws away the strength and the life of the vine and hinders the flow of the juice to the grape. The wood of the branch must decrease that the fruit for the vine may increase in obedience to the laws of nature that death is the way  to life, that gain comes through sacrifice.

The rich luxurious growth of wood must be cut off and cast away, that the life more abundant may be seen in the cluster.

What in us appears perfectly innocent and legitimate and which yet draws out our interest and strength that must be pruned and cleansed away. It is only as our will and strength and effort and pleasure, even where these appear perfectly natural and sinless, are cut down so that the whole energies of our being are free and open to receive the sap of the Heavenly vine, the H.S. that we shall bear much fruit.

It is through the surrender of what nature holds fast, through the full and willing submission to God's Holy pruning knife that we shall come to what Christ  has chosen and appointed us for, to bear fruit that whatsoever we ask the Father in Christ's Name He may give it to us.

What is the pruning knife? Jesus said, 'You are clean through the Word.....' The Word of God is sharper than....'  'Sanctify them through thy Truth....'  What heart searching words Christ had spoken to His disciples in love and humility, on being the least and, like Himself, the servant of all. On denying  self, taking up the Cross and loosing the life.

Through His Word the Father cut away all confidence in themselves or the world and prepared them for the inflowing  and filling of the Spirit of the Heavenly vine. It is not we who can cleanse ourselves. God is the vinedresser. We may confidently entrust ourselves to His care.

Sunday, 8 November 2020

Joshua 6:1-21.

Three lessons from the Book of Joshua:

1.The absolute faithfulness of God

2. The gifts of God and His blessings

3. The hatred of God for sin

God intended Israel to be taken to the land of  Canaan but they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience -Deut.8:7-9,15.

They had their trials in the wilderness. The first thing they came up to when they left the wilderness was a walled city. We do not meet walled cities in Heaven. Canaan was something different from Egypt (the world we live in under the control of Satan:-Satan's world). There should be no Jericho in Canaan. In the spiritual life there should be no Egypt.

Jericho must be overcome. It was on the border, before crossing into Canaan. They overcame it in order to occupy the promised land, God was with them. Some people have Jerichos in their lives and are hindered from following Jesus.

God insisted that the people of Jericho be driven out-Deut.18:9-14. God intended to bring His people into a rich place, flowing with milk and honey. To get into the place God wants us, we must get Jericho out of the way. No compromise.

We must get rid of all flesh. Our heart is the property of the H.S. No flesh should be entertained in it. If we want to advance with God we must do it His way.

The pre-eminent place was given to the Ark. It led all the way. Jesus should have the pre-eminence in our hearts. God was with Israel conquering Jericho-Jos.5:13-15. He was also working from inside Jericho (Rahab).

God's Word has the means of getting in though men try and stop it Jos.5:1. Jericho was shut up but God said go in and take it.

We have problems and impossibilities but God is able to shift all difficulties before us. God would work, but Israel had to obey.

There is a prize to be won, but there is also something we must do. They had to walk round Jericho blowing  horns. It would seem a foolish way to do it.

I may not see the results but I should keep going. It's a test of faith. God could have brought the wall down the first day, but they had to obey. I should keep going into the alleyways and byways. 

If they had not stuck by what they promised God, they would not   have seen the wall come down. They kept going without any sign of encouragement. It was tough going but God honoured their faith.

We like to see results immediately, but God works in His own time. Moses was in a hurry but God sent him to Midian for 40 years. The disciples said, 'Lord why can't we cast him out?, but Jesus said this needs prayer and fasting'.

When they shouted at God's command, the wall came down, not before. But Jericho had its temptations- Achan and the Babylonish garment. The punishment was  harsh, no compromise with sin and disobedience- 'A little leaven, leavens the whole lump'.

When Jericho was taken the way was open for the conquest of Canaan, but they had to fight all the way. God knows before He calls us to Salvation that we have to face the unknown, full of difficulties, so He made provision to guide and lead us in our Christian lives.

The cloud by day and the pillar of fire guaranteed a sure compass to the Israelites all the way to Canaan.

We are reminded of Paul and his companions in the Acts on their journeys in Asia. The H.S. repeatedly forbade them to go into various regions where they desired to go. Only when they reached Troas did they realized why. God revealed His will in a vision to Paul. It is the same with us when our desires push us in various directions, until the H.S. says "not this way". We should be thankful to our God who in His Mercy saw the need to guide and lead us from the moment we decided to follow Christ. It is part of our calling. His leading and guidance is not an emergency act but a carefully planned road that He wants us to follow.

What is our responsibility in all this?

Obedience that says-not my will but yours be done.

Sometimes we may find ourselves perplexed but let us be careful to show the right attitude, not like the Israelites. Their  disobedience and rebellions led them to destruction and a 40 year delay in reaching their destination. 'Today if you hear His voice harden not your hears.....'

 

Sunday, 1 November 2020

Joshua 7:1-15

The hatred of God for sin.

Though God leads His people to Victory, Satan will do his best to rob them of the fruits of victory.

The sad story of Achan illustrates this in our lives. Though we may hide any sin in our lives, no such thing can be hid from God's eyes-Heb.4:13.

God's command to the Israelites concerning Jericho was clear. They should not touch any of the wealth of the city or  appropriate it for their personal property. We may think that was a hard command for warriors who are entitled to the spoils of war.

We think sometimes that we are also entitled to some award for our labour as workers of the Gospel, but God says that 'what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination....' Luke 16:15.

Achan thought that a bit of gold and fancy garments would not matter if he took them. It is the same for any worker for the Gospel. We are called to fight God's battles as the soldiers of God's army. He provides the weapons which are sanctified to be used in holiness and in obedience to His call. Every effort on our behalf must be dedicated to the cause of the Gospel and offered on the altar of sacrifice.

A perfect offering unblemished in the sight of God. Nothing marred or defective would be accepted by Jehovah on the altar of sacrifice.

God was fighting in the midst of the Israelite host. Where sin is to be found, God is not to be found. A Babylonish garment was an offence to God's holiness, therefore His presence was excluded in the Israelite host. Paul the Apostle writing in Corinthians says, 'a little leaven, leavens to whole lump'. Even the smallest sin in the Church can act like a cancer that spreads and mars the whole congregation.

The defeat at Ai warned of disaster for the Israelite force. It had to be dealt severely, lest disaster overcame them. We cannot afford to leave sin unattended in our lives or in the Church.

Jesus said, 'If your eye is single your whole body is full of light'.

The tragic story of Achan is a lesson for us and the whole Church of God. God will not tolerate sin in us or in the Church. If we want to fight God's battles we must do it on God's  terms.

 

 

Sunday, 18 October 2020

Trials and Tribulations

A subject that causes discouragement and anxiety to most believers.

Why do we have them, where do they come from, what is the answer? Nobody is exempt from them, great and small, young and old, believers and unbelievers. suffer alike.

Where do they come from? There are two sources mainly.

1. Demonic activity and attacks upon us.

2. Human behaviour.

Christian lives are not trouble free but subject to trouble from Satan-1Pet.5:8.

Job's troubles show us how Satan can afflict believers, but this is not always evident-Job 1:6-12. We also notice that God allows sometimes tribulation in our lives. Satan can go so far, by God' permission. Here are some reasons why God permits troubles in our lives:-

a. As a test of faith-1 Pet.1:6-7.

b. As a test of faith, but chastisement is not punitive but remedial and corrective Ps.119:67.

c. As a purifier of faith, a developer of Christian character Job 23:10.

d. That we may be privileged to obtain eternal rewards- James 1:12.Here on this earth we live in enemy land, Satan hates us and is out to destroy us and the Church, We are caught in the middle of the battle, but God is able to deliver us and protect us. We are asked therefore to  STAND and put on God's protection He provided for us. This is our responsibility-Eph.6:13.

There are times when we feel weary and tempted to think God has abandoned us. We feel like giving up but God encourages us- Is.40:27-40.

Sunday, 11 October 2020

Temptation (Pt2)

2. Temptation from the devil.

The devil works hard to tempt us to sin, but God tests us.

Jesus faced the devil and gave us the strategy as an example to follow. God can lead us to the place of temptation.

Jesus went full of the Holy Spirit (prepared). Satan used Scripture, but God rebuked him with Scripture. There are 3 points to remember, or 3 Temptations:

1. If you are the Son of God, command these.....

The devil cast doubt on the Sonship. He will do the same on our faith. He puts doubt on the Word of God. He is the father of lies. Eve listened to him, the result was death. It was an innocent suggestion, after 40 days of fast. It meant Jesus misusing His power on Himself, like magic. Most of our needs look innocent!

2.If you worship me.....all these.....

Both God and Satan ask for worship, but for very different reasons. We worship God for who He is and for what He has done for us. Satan wants to enslave us. The kingdoms do not belong to him. He usurped them. Again he lied, all these- Ps.24:1

If you are throw yourself.....

Satan tempts us to take a risk, God tests us to see if we are faithful. There are times when we need to take a risk, all in the will of God. Satan whispers in our ear, 'don't be so hot on your faith, you are praying too much, you have the Holy Spirit.......etc. Jesus overcame as a man. We have the victory because of that-Heb.4:14-16.

How do we deal with the devil effectively? -James 4:7.

The devil left defeated and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Victorious)

Sunday, 4 October 2020

Temptation

What does it mean? From the Greek text: to try, to experiment, to test. It is the cause for anxiety to most believers. Everybody is tempted, nobody is exempt, even the Lord Jesus when He was on this earth.

How do we deal with Temptation?  We are tempted in various ways and at various times. If we know where it comes from we can deal with it more effectively.

 There are two sources of Temptation.

1. From our own desires (flesh)
2. From the devil

1. God is not the Author of Temptation. He tests for a good reason, but the devil tempts us to commit sin James 1:12-15.
There are three areas where Temptation takes place- 1 John 2:15-17.
The lust of the eye Gen.3.4-6. Things we see, these affect our minds. Eve saw the fruit and the moment she was persuaded that it was harmless and good for food, the battle was won for the devil. Do not get into a conversation with the devil-rebuke him.
The lust of the flesh Gal.5:16-24. The desires that come from our sinful nature, They are expressed through the members of our bodies. Jesus said, 'If your eye offends you.....' It is better to enter Heaven at a loss than to be left out.
The pride of Life Pro.16:18. 'God knows the proud afar off'.' Pride brought  Lucifer down. The pharisee
in the Parable of Luke 18 considered himself above all other people. Pride brought Saul the king to a
sad end. There is no room for pride in any believer's heart, cast it out. Pro.16:18.
The effective way to tackle temptation Gal.5:16.

Sunday, 27 September 2020

 1 Kings 18:20-40.

The victory on Mt. Carmel over Baal worship.
Elijah, the prophet of God against the 450 prophets of Baal. What are the lessons we can draw from this passage in Scripture?
1. The people of God are in an idolatrous state, but even so God reserved 7,000 who did not bow the knee to Baal.God always has a faithful remnant who do not compromise their faith and witness. Here we have a type of the Church of the last days, much activity and works but no real H. Spirit power. Only the prophet of God stands faithful in a backslidden people-the messenger of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a drought in the land,i.e. a scarcity of water, the pure Word of God, in spite of much preaching in the Church, mostly to iching ears Amos 8:11.
We need Revival, we need the move of the H.S., the power of God.
2.The man of God stands apart, no compromise in his message. It is God's message to His people. In solitary confinenement for 3 1/2 years, but kept by God. A man who obeys God's commands, whom God prepared for the fire to come down. The man God uses knows how to wait on God, it is not his own message, 
God's name is at stake, He is a type of John the Baptist who came in the spirit of Elijah. The man who is prepared to wait on God , is prepared by God and used when God has put in him what God wants to say.
3.The trial by fire. One man stands against 450 prophets of Baal. The odds are enormous, but Elijah knows his God, like David, he is prepared. The prophets of Baal produce a lot of noise, but no fire.
False worship and empty religion that leave the common people naked of any real faith.
When the false prophets come to their end, the man of God is ready, The altar is repaired, worship must begin. Are our Christian lives in a sorry state? Mend things and broken lives for God to begin the 
healing process. The sacrifice is placed on the altar. Out lives should be offered as a burnt  sacrifice to
the Lord-Rom.12:1. The wood is placed and something precious-water. There is a drought but the people are asked to offer what is precious to them. All must be offered to Jehovah if we are going to see
the fire come down, nothing held back. Do we need Revival? We have to pay the cost.
The man of God offers a simple prayer, the spiritual preparation was done before in the wilderness-being alone with God.
No Revival is recorded that has not been preceeded by prayer,repentance and seeking God. When all is ready. the fire from Heaven came down and licked everything, sacrifice, wood, rocks, water, dust. The power of the H.S. leaves no room in our lives for anything carnal or of the world, all must be burned on the altar of God.
4.The people fall on their faces and acknowledge the lordship of their God. earlier Elijah challenged the
people as to their allegiance. When the fire fell they had no doubt who was on the Throne, When Revival comes, the H.S. will convict of sin.Salvation belongs to our God.
5.The end of Baal worship and the slaughter of his prophets. No room for idolatry in the heart, cleansed
by the blood of the Lamb.
Revival means restoration to Go's vibrant life, Christ's life. The cleansing of the Church is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Monday, 27 July 2020

Nehemiah 2:11-20.

Lessons from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in troublous times.
The wall speaks of protection. Without it we are left open to the attacks of the enemy. We are unprotected and defenceless, spiritually and physically.
In the story, Nehemiah figures as a leader of a great spiritual strength and with a gifted character. A great man of God whose heart was dedicated to God's plans and purpose.
Why was the wall destroyed and Jerusalem left in a derelict state?
In chapter 1:4-11 Nehemiah gives an account of why those evils came upon Jerusalem and God's people.However, we read in Ro.11 that God did not abandon His people and nation. His promises to His people never fail in the pathway of obedience. In Dan.9:25, God's plan and promise was stated clearly.
When God wants to do something, He first finds a man. Nehemiah was God's man at a key position in the court of the Persian king. We sometimes think that God does only emergency things when everything else has failed. The cross was no such plan, because God had it in His heart from the foundation of the world. God's timing is always perfect, executed not to our own ways and understanding-Is. 55:8.
Nehemiah. with authority from the king arrived at Jerusalem and found devastation. Undaunted he set at work without any committees to help him and without any Church to raise any funds for the rebuilding project. He only had God to lean upon. God knew all about what it involved. God revealed to Daniel long before Nehemiah arrived to rebuild, 'The street shall be built again and the wall'. In a similar way, God knew all about the Cross. It was planned by God and at the right time Christ came into this world-Gal.4:4.
A rare event also takes place in Judea. The Jewish leadership willingly decides to rebuilt and assist Nehemiah. But later on problems and discord arise among the people. Nehemiah presses on with the work and it is completed in record time. But the enemy was was busy too. As long as the Jews did nothing, there was no opposition. When Sanballat and Toniah heard about the rebuilding they were grieved, but this did not stop Nehemiah.
There will always be times of discord in the Church and we cannot always blame Satan for this. There are defects in the characters of believers, but when God works these problems are overcome in the attitude of love.
Notice now the strategy of Satan:
1. The weapon of ridicule.
2. The weapon of confusion.
3. The weapon of dicouragement.
1. What did this really involve? Just being around and ridiculing the people at work.
Believers should have a sense of responsibility, what ever they do should be done unto the Lord. We should do everything well to please the Lord. not ourselves. Ridicule is directed at our own self esteem and whenever we feel that we do things because of our own abilities and talents, pride will creep in.
Satan knows this problem and directs his ridicule knowing that it will hurt. Nehemiah knew who was behind this redicule and did not retaliate or got discouraged. His eye was on God, 'Hear oh our God, for we are despised'.
2.Having failed with the weapons of ridicule, Satan now tries to bring confusion upon the workers and the work of rebuilding. What is Nehemiah's response? 'We made our prayer to our God and set a watch against them day and night'. A frontal attack from the enemy brings a double response from the people of God. It is a cry to the Heavenlies and a constant watch against the enemy  on the earth.
Confusion is a scheme Satan often tries to bring in the Church. Not so much of a direct attack upon a person but an assault upon the mind. The result- different ideas and ways of how things should be done , setting person against person. Eventually the work of God comes to a halt.
Nehemiah stands firm, his eye is on God. He may not have discerned the issues brought by Satan but he is not distracted from the work of God. The work continues in spite of these problems and it is finished.
Unity of mind may not always be possible in the Church, but unity of purpose is desirarble.
3.We are not sure how much of this was of the people. We cannot underestimate the nature of the problem. Too much work, physical exhaustion, a hopeless task and much more. This is the opportunity for Satan to magnify the problem and make a mountain out of a molehill, but faith diminishes them. Remember Caleb? 'If God is with us.....'
When we focus on the physical side of things, despair is around he corner. The rubbish was a huge amount, but it was what was once useful material, now of no use. The same in a Church. What was once useful, now it is an impediment and became an obstacle to progress. We need to remove it if we want to move on. No amount of despair will clear it, only a mountain of Faith. Again Nehemiah
presses on, not as if the problem did not exist    but with the strength and wisdom. They built willingly , in cooperation and unity. Under threat of attack they share the responsibility of work and be ready to defend.
The work is finished and we hear no more of Sanballat and Tobiah, but of Nehemiah with a simple petition at the end 'Remember me oh my God for Good.'


Saturday, 18 July 2020

2 Sam.9:13.
Mephibosheth-A picture of the Redeemed by the blood of Christ. He did not deserve the love and grace of David. Contrast Saul's attack on David and David's attitude as king.
David could easily have killed Mephibosheth, He was not  jealous-a type of Christ. Mephibosheth
did nothing to deserve the kindness of the king.
We did not deserve God's grace, but he died for us-Rom.5:6. He was in Lodebar, not in Jerusalem- the place of peace. He was away from the king , with no reconciliation.
Away from Jesus Christ-no peace, no reconciliation-Is.48:22.
Lodebar-barren,unfruitful,no pasture-like the Prodigal son. Those who have no time for Christ live in Lodebar.
Mephibosheth-a thing of shame-those who live without Christ,Is.64:6. Mephibosheth was a thing of shame because of a fall-2 Sam4:4. We cannot walk with God because we are fallen, Acts 14:8.
Mephibosheth fell on hia face, paid reverence to the king. He realized that his life was in David's hands. This is our position also. There is no other Saviour.
When God spoke to Saul of Tarsus, he said, 'Lord what will you....' Acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour. When we realize our own unworthiness, then His power is manifested toward us.
Mephibosheth may have been afraid of David's authority, but David encouraged him. 'I will surely
show kindness for Jonathan's sake' not for Mephibosheth's sake, not because he was lame or worthy, 
but because of someone's else's sake-1 John2:12. Why? because He loved us. David loved Jonathan.
The sad end end of the story and Mephibosheth's ingrattitude-2 Sam19:24-26. A reminder of our own
failure and ingrattitude many a time.

Sunday, 12 July 2020

Fear

Fear affects our lives at one time or another. There are 300 references in the Bible, showing how serious a problem it is. The greatest Fear, is the Fear of the unknown.
There are two kinds of fear in Scripture:
1. The Fear of the Lord, Pro.1:7, 19:23.
2. The fear of man, Pro 29:25.
Where does fear come from? It is the direct product of sin-Gen.3:9-10.
God wants us to be free from its grip, Is.41:10 (a command). Fear paralyzes and makes us  disloyal. We cannot live healthy lives if we are  gripped by fear. There is a healthy  fear that protects us, but also an unhealthy fear-the fear of man or the fear of the devil.
How do we free ourselves from fear? @Perfect love....' 1.John 4:18. The Command is 'Fear God, which is the conclusion- Eccl.12:13, But we also need to work out our Salvation with Fear and trembling-Phil2:12.
How do we recognize true fear?
1.By its rise: It causes saving conviction of sin or it drives the soul to lay hold of Christ for Salvation.
2.It produces in the soul great reverence for God,and His ways, keeping us afraid to turn to wrong or to do anything anything that offends God or grieve His Holy Spirit or causes the enemy to speak reproachfully.
God is not the Author of unclean fear, but it usually comes from an unclean spirit-2 Tim.1:7-8. The H.S. dwells in the life of the believer. We cannot hold two opposing spirits simultaneously. There is no room for fear in the life of a  true believer .
What do we do when fear comes upon us? Ps.56:3. 

Sunday, 5 July 2020

Heaven

Is there a Heaven? Is it a real place? What does the Bible say?
Heaven is a real physical place. It is the dwelling place where God has His Throne.
The Bible talks about Heaven, the Heaven of Heavens and the Third Heaven-Ps.19:1.
Where is it located? There is no clear reference, but we have a parallel reference in Ps.48:1-2,
the dwelling place of God on earth. In Ps.11:4 we have the real Heaven, the 3rd Heaven in Ps.14:13.
A real believer longs to be in Heaven one day, like the Apostle-Phil.1:21-24.
Paul had a vision of the 3rd Heaven 2 Cor.12:21-24.
How do we know it is a real place? John14:3-4. Real people, the resurrected saints of God.
What sort of life would we live in Heaven? Rev.21.1-8. Who will be in Heaven? God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Host of Heaven, and the Church, Rev.21:22-27.
Why is God going to create a New Heaven? The present Heaven and earth have been soiled by sin and Satan's rule. God will purge them with fire-Rev 20:11, 2 Pet.3:7-12.
Another word we meet in the Bible for Heaven is Paradise, Luk.23:43. It comes from the Persian language and it gives the meaning of a garden surrounding the king palace.
In Gen.2:8 God planted the garden of eEden and put man in it.

Saturday, 27 June 2020

What is a Christian

A very misunderstood term-Acts 11:25-26. A Christian is a follower or a disciple of Jesus Christ,he is  a person 
who follows His teaching.
A disciple is a person who leads and is instructed by another person, his teacher. He evaluates his words, learns his secrets and copies his lifestyle.
To be a disciple of Jesus Christ you have to be called by Him-John 15:16. A true disciple is recognised by certain marks:-
1. He abides in the words of the master fully-John 15:7.
2. He has a loving relationship with the Master and treasures  His words, John 14:15.
3. He obeys the Master's commission to go and make disciples,not of himself -Matt. 28:19-20.
4. Has a living relationship with the Master, like the branch and vine-John 15:4.
5. Fruit bearing is a true mark of a disciple-John 15:1-5.
6. Unconditional  love is a true mark of a disciple-John 13:34-35.
7. He serves others, like the Master's example- John 13:14.
8. He is willing to lay down his life for the Master-2 Tim.4:6-8.
9. A disciple is expected to instruct others in the Master's teaching 2Tim.2:1-2..
10. A disciple desires to be with the Master in Heaven. Death does not break the relationship, because the Master lives forever. Different from other religions. John 14:2-3.

Saturday, 20 June 2020

Spiritual Warfare

While we are on this earth we are involved in a constant battle, caught between Satanic forces and the Host of Heaven, but his is nor usually evident to us. Satan hates us and wants to destroy us and the Church-1 Pet.5:8.
Whilst we are under God's protection, we need to serve Him and resist the enemy-2 Tim.2:3-4.
For our own benefit God has provided protection to face the attacks of the enemy, but we must ensure that we are fully covered with this protection to resist the enemy's attacks. We also need to know the enemy's method of attack if we are to face him effectively-2 Cor.2:10-11.
Face him the way Jesus did in the wilderness, 'It is written....it is written'. Do not get into arguments  with Satan or into a conversation. He knows his business well, but we should know ours better.
Our fight against Satan and his forces is on two fronts,    1.Defence, 2. Attack.
1. Defence means protection. God has provided total protection for us.
Paul in Eph.6:10-20 instructs  us to 'Put on the armour of God'. It is our responsibility to do it. In vs.14-17 we have the protective armour in detail, but remember- we do not fight against flesh and blood, and make sure you do not give up the fight.
2. Attack. The sword is not only our weapon for defence but also for attacking- 'The sword of the Spirit....' The re is no other weapon against Satan and his demons.
How do we gain victory?   Rev.12:11. Know your enemy. 'We are not ignorant of his device...'

Saturday, 13 June 2020

Gen.5:21-23.

Enoch walked with God-Heb.11:5, Jud.11-15.
Enoch was quite an ordinary person. No healings,  no miracles, nothing spectacular. Enoch walked with God. God's desire was that man would walk with God. Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. Jesus delights to walk in the churches and with His people. Jesus died so that we can have fellowship with Him. We are saved to have fellowship with Him.
The first Enoch who has prestige, died-Gen.4:17. The second one did not die. Only what I do for Christ will stand forever. Whatever I do and do not have fellowship with God is in vain.
God had His messengers right from the start- Enoch the prophet. God never left His people without a witness all through the ages.
Enoch's translation was a sign for the people, but not many believed. When God would not do anything for them, He cast the people aside-Flood.
Similarly today If I do not take heed to the Word, God will have to cast me aside. Enoch- Discipline, regulated. If we are to live with God we must be disciplined ,to live regulated lives. Jesus face was fixed on God. Nothing distracted Him  from God and the Cross.
Unless we  discipline our lives we shall never find the time to serve God. Our circumstances are no excuse. Enoch kept walking with God despite his surrounding circumstances-unbelief, etc. 'Lo I am with you alway'.
Enoch was a family man,he had responsibilities as well. The more responsibilities I have the more in need I am of God's fellowship. If you live as Baalam lived you will die as Baalam died.
Enoch had a revelation when Methusalal died-the judgement  came. Enoch realized the flood was coming,so he decided to walk with God. We must lay up our treasures in Heaven,not on the earth. We may be lonely sometimes in our   walk with God but we should look ahead for Jesus coming when we shall come back with thousands of other saints, We are not the only ones, we are not alone, we are in a tremendous family.
Enoch kept walking with God till the end, not up and down.
Walk before me (secure) Gen 17:1, Walk after (Obedience),Deut.13:4, So walk (live) in Him (Union)
Col.2:6.
Three points implied:
1. There must have been a reconciliation.One mind- Redeemed.
2. There has to be a similarity of nature, Night cannot walk with darkness.
3. A surrendered will. 'Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos3;3.
Enoch pleased God. Jesus said, 'I always do the things that please the Father' 



Sunday, 7 June 2020

Haggai 1:1-15.

The return from captivity to rebuild the Temple, Ezra 1:1-4.
Haggai, The Lord's messenger, a type of the Holy Spirit that brings the Word of God.
'Is it time for you to dwell.....?' They came back from captivity to rebuild God's House, the centre of worship, but the inhabitants of the land opposed the rebuilding and stopped it for 14 years. The enemy often diverts our efforts to earthly things and God's House is neglected. There are many excuses for this neglect- too busy, family, work,etc. It is easy to get in a rut and expect nothing from God. They were saying the time was not suitable, but God told them to get on with the work.
'Consider your ways'. Busy looking after their needs, hence no blessing. Jesus said 'Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.....'. They were urged to ' go to the mountain' i.e get out of your complacency. We can expect much but receive nothing. When we move in Faith we find out what God can do for us. Do not look for signs and  wonders.
'then Zerubbabel obeyed.....' A happy time when God's people obey His commands, the result, 'I am with you.....' We can have Revival if we are willing to move on with God. Not only did God come to work with them but He also stirred their spirit to revive them. 'Lo I am with you....'. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to live with us.

Sunday, 24 May 2020

Revival

A great priority of the Church before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Opinions vary concerning this subject, with much confusion about it in the Church. Men of God cried for revival throughout the ages-Is. 64:1.
When dealing with the subject of Revival two questions arise, 
1.What is it?, 
2. How does it come?
Revival-to wake up and live. In the O.T  it comes from a root word which means-live.
It is the reviving of christian life, not of the unbeliever. There is revival where there is life to be revived. It is the breathing of God's life in a body ready to die. The famous one eyed Welsh preacher 
Christmas Evans put it like this- 'Revival is when God blows upon the dying embers of a fire until it becomes alive' .
How does it come?-A famous preacher said: give me a group of people who will devote themselves to prayer and I will tell you when revival will come. However, God's formula is even better - 
2 Chron.7:11-15. Four conditions must be met before revival comes, 'If my people.....'
1. Humble themselves. A voluntary action from within. We can be humiliated from without, but not humbled, James 4:6.
2. Pray. Any prayer not coming from a humble heart will not be answered. Pray without ceasing, do not give up, persist. Do not let Satan rob you of your prayer time. Pray with a burden in your heart, James 5:16-18.
3. Seek my face. Pray until you meet God. It is not the length of praying that matters but what we put in it.
4. Turn from wicked ways. There is much wickedness in the Church, mainly in the form of unbelief.
When we meet God's conditions, He promises to do His part.
.

Sunday, 10 May 2020

Spiritual Immaturity

What is it?
The inability to grow in the Faith. but to remain a spiritual baby, feeding on milk-Heb 6:1-3, 5:12-14.
There are certain signs to show how to identify believers who live immature lives in the Faith.
1. Preoccupation with first Principles and not moving on to deeper  things. They are first (Principles):-
Repentance-Faith toward God-Baptism-Laying on of hands-Resurrection from the dead-Judgements to come.
These can be divided into 3 parts:-
A. Truths concerning conversion.
B.Truths concerning Church ordinances.
C.Truths concerning Future Judgements.
These basic truths should be grasped within a few years of conversion (maybe 5),then move on to deeper things, 'let us move on to perfection'.
More signs of Spiritual Immaturity:-
An inability to discern between right and wrong (spiritual blindness). Many believers want to grow in the Faith, but their minds are not renewed, hence no change. The basic cause of immaturity 1 Cor3:1-3.
Does it matter if we remain so? God's will is for us to grow in Christ Eph.4 11-15. It is normal for a baby to grow,
If I do not grow in the Faith,what do I do?
Repent, turn to God, Feed on His Word, be filled with the H.S., find a Church that rightly divides the Word, find like minded spiritual company.


Friday, 8 May 2020

Song of Songs 4:16.

What makes the difference between a fragrant live Christian life and a dull one?
I believe the ministry and influence of the Holy Spirit in that life.
In that verse above, the maiden invites her beloved to her garden (heart).
Jesus does not like to dwell in barren, unfruitful lives. At creation, God put man in a pleasant garden
to fellowship with.
The maiden wants the spices from her garden to flow out-the aroma. The life of Christ is pleasant. It must be transmitted from our heart.
The Spices, ingredients of the Holy  Anointing Oil- Ex.30:22-25. Note the plants in her garden, 4:12.
For the fragrance to flow out wind is necessary-the activity of the Holy Spirit. The maiden invites the wind to blow upon her heart-a call. On the day of Pentecost the H.S. came as a mighty, rushing wind.
Why North and South wind?
In Pro.25:23 we read that rain will dampen the fragrance. The H.S. comes from the sides of the North, God's dwelling place. The south wind stills the place, Job 37:17.
Let my beloved come.....' If our heart is a pleasant place Christ will come to rest in it. He rested in a garden before and after the Cross.
Pleasant fruits-Gal.5:22-23, produced naturally by the Holy Spirit. They are His fruit and His garden.

Friday, 1 May 2020

Song of Songs 2:8-15.

A mysterious book that preachers avoid due to its content. It mainly consists of a dialogue between
a girl and her Beloved, with an occasional interjection by some bystanders. Not an erotic poem as some believe but the relationship between Christ (Beloved) and the loved one (Church).
Message: In the verses above we see that after initial love the maiden (Church) cools off. She needs to come out of that state. This relationship can only exist in the bond of love. In this book, Love appears in Four stages: Initial love, Fluctuating love, Growing love, and Mature love.
In verse 15 the Beloved tries to draw the maiden out of that cold state. However, before moving on, small obstacles have to be dealt with and removed. The heart is likened to a vine- symbol of spiritual life. Christ spoke of Himself as the True Vine.
Little foxes speak of small things in the life of the believer, not necessary sins, but faults we carry in our lives. These must be dealt with else spiritual progress can be hindered and the fruit of the vine damaged. Heb.12:1 tells us of weights that can make us spiritually heavy.The Apostle Paul in 1 Cor.5:6-8 warns about the 'Old leaven' that can inflate us and cause delay in our spiritual walk.
Take us. We have a command here. If we want to move on spiritually we have to deal with this problem. We are not alone in this walk (us) The Comforter abides with us to help us in our infirmities and strengthen us so that we can deal with the little foxes that cause damage to the fruit of the vine. Do not leave the foxes to ruin the life!

Sunday, 26 April 2020

John 21:14-19.

'Do you Love Me?'
The scene after the Resurrection,by the lake shore. A question out of place perhaps? Why did Jesus single out Peter? Perhaps, Peter's mind was heavy after recent events-the betrayal. Three times he betrayed his Lord. Jesus asked him three times, 'Do you Love Me?'. How would you feel, if you were Peter? How many times have we denied the Lord in our own hearts? Peter felt uncomfortable, perhaps embarassed. He does not remind us of our failures, nor does He embarrass us, but He knows that we love Him. He knew of Peter's love for Him, in spite of his denial. I believe the Lord wanted to focus Peter's mind, from a stark denial and guilt, to a love with a proper focus.
Remember how Peter wanted not only his feet washed but also his body. The Lord wanted Peter's mind focused again properly. He does the same to us.
'Feed My sheep'. If you love Me, love My people also, care for them, 1John 4:10-11. To feed sheep
involves time,energy,care,sacrifice. God's workers and servants are not excluded, they are His sheep too. Sheep are valuable. We look after them so that they do not perish. Care for the sheep matters a lot to the Great Shepherd. Sheep know their shepherd, hear his voice and respond.

Sunday, 19 April 2020

John 20:19-29.

Events after the Resurrection. They bring into the open three human states. Fear, Peace, Unbelief.
The followers of Jesus, in spite of their brave words before the Cross, they find themselves hiding in 
Jerusalem and Bethany for-'the fear of the Jews'. When the Master was with them they were bold and couragous. After He had gone, fear gripped their hearts. Fear makes people disloyal. In Pro.29:25 we read that, 'The fear of man brings a snare, but in John 4:18 we read ' Perfect love casts out fear'.
It was the presence of Jesus that drove fear out of their hearts and gave them confidence.
They were troubled and shaken by recent events and they needed Peace in their hearts. In Is.57 we read, ' There is no peace says the Lord to the wicked'.
As believers we cannot function properly when our hearts are full of turmoil and insecurity. The ungodly world is marked by a lack of Peace but Jesus is our Peace.
We wonder why unbelief, especially Thomas, filled their hearts. In spite of many wonders and signs we witness unbelief grips our hearts.
However, Notice the way Jesus dealt with Thomas. No harsh words but a gentle loving rebuke. The result. a surrender at His feet. We have a choice at present. A voluntary surrender at His feet and acknowledge Him as Lord and God or face Him one day as Judge.

Monday, 13 April 2020

The ROAD TO EMMAUS Luk.24:13-35.

One of the most delightful,puzzling stories of that first Easter.
Emmaus, About 12 km from Jerusalem, speaks of our earthly walk with all its problems and confusion.
Two disciples-Cleopas and another whose identidy is not disclosed, on their way to Emmaus on Resurrection afternoon. Nine other disciples are hiding in Jerusalem and Bethany. They are typical of Jesu's followers through the ages, preoccupied with events and dejected. Their eyes were held, i.e. could not recognize Jesus-sleepy Christians. Nothing different in Jesus's appearance, though in a resurrected body.
Jesus drew near and spent time with them. God is very busy but finds time to spent with us. Jesus explained the Scriptures to them about himself. The problem with the two disciples was their vision
not Jesus, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We may follow Christ and His teaching but lack that intimate relationship. Remember the five foolish virgins?
They were preoccupied with the events of the days, which obscured their vision. Even a clean cloth can do that.
Abide with us. An invitation that brought deliverance from their blindness. He is the Bread of Life. As I open His Word Christ becomes manifest to us. A Resurrection     story that those disciples never forgot, and for us too.

Saturday, 4 April 2020

The Veil Matt.27:50-53

One of the least noticed incidents at that first Easter but of most importance.
Made of fine linen-representing the Holiness and righteousness of Christ-Ex.26:31-35.
It represented protection to the inner room where God's Throne was. As such, represents Christ in His sinless, perfect humanity. It points to the body of Christ. It was both a way and a barrier to the Holy of Holies-the Ark and the Mercy Seat.Once a year the High Priest entered with the blood of the sacrifice,but nobody else. For a person to meet God, had to keep God's unbroken standards, but the Mercy Seat spoke that God would extend mercy if one came by the Blood. Christ's life reveals the standard one must reach if he is to meet God. The Cherubim on the Veil spoke that man should stay away from God's holiness-Gen.3:24.
The man and the woman were denied access to the Tree of life. Christ on earth revealed the impossibility of any approach to God unless sin was dealt with and became holy-like Christ.
It was not the beauty of the Veil or Christ's life that makes Salvation possible.
The tearing was God's work, torn in two, not punctured. Once a barrier, now a gateway. Christ completely satisfied God's standards and man was reconciled. By giving His body on the Cross He made access into the presence of God available for all, Heb.10:19-20.
The torn Veil speaks, that every human being can have access to the inner court and God's presence who comes by the blood of Christ- Redemption through the Blood of the Cross.

Saturday, 21 March 2020

Reflections

What is Revival?
Throughout time there have always been those who have cried to God for a spiritual awakening. In the midst of appalling moral darkness and spiritual declension they have, like the Prophet Isaiah, cried 'Oh that thou woulddest rend the Heavens and come down' (Is.64:1).
In coming to grips with the great need of Revival it is time to define clearly what we mean by the term. Revival means to wake up and live. In the Old Testament the word comes from a root meaning to live. The basic idea is the return of something to its true nature and purpose. Charles Finney defines Revival as '...nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God'. G.J. Morgan puts it this way, it is the reanimation of the life of the believer (not the unregenerate, as they are dead in sin). There can only be Revival where there can only be life to revive. Another describes it as the inrush of divine life into a body threatening to become a corpse.
The definition I like most is from the famous Welsh preacher Christmas Evans 'Revival is God bending down to the dying embers of a fire just about to go out, and breathing into it, until it bursts again into flame'. Whichever way we look at it Revival is life at its best, life in its fullness, life overflowing with the love and power of God. Revival in a definition like this is like David in Saul's armour,- it just doesn't fit. But one thing is clear. In Revival men and women come alive to the life of God.

Saturday, 14 March 2020

Reflections

We must begin Right
The deeper we go into the subject of discipleship the more we can see that no school was ever so strictly guarded, and yet there is no one so easy of access. No bar of race, colour, caste, or age stands across the entrance-all may come providing they submit to the entrance conditions.
This raises the point:Why does Christ insist on such complete and utter  self-surrender when first approaches our hearts? Would it not be better if He approached the more gently, then having got us in tempered  His challenge to our rate of progress? The answer is simple. If He is to keep us free from evil, then He must have the whole territory of our lives fully surrendered into His hands. Temptation seeks to find a foothold in our lives on which it can fasten, then when this accomplished, it goes on to establish a bridgehead over which it sends its sappers to fortify the position and take over control. Christ makes it clear from the beginning that He cannot consent to be excluded from territory from which the enemy would use to undermine His authority and weaken His control. Many of the troubles which some Christians have stem simply from the fact that they came into the Kingdom of God too easily. They never learned how important it is in those early stages to deal a death blow to self- centredness and they limp along the Christian life, with no real understanding of what it is all about. The stern words of Christ in Matt. 16:24 which He utters to all those about to submit to Him, are not to frighten us but to fortify us.