Wise builders

Hello,

Are you familiar with that Sunday School song, "The wise man built his house upon the rock"? I'm sure you are we used to sing it with gusto when in Sunday School. The song is based on the parable that Jesus told:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house yet it did not fall, because it had its foundations on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matt. 7:24-27

The words of the song are:

The wise man built his house upon the rock

The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
And the rains came tumbling down!

The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the house on the rock stood firm.

The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
And the rains came tumbling down!

The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the house on the sand went SPLAT!

So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ,
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ,
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
and the Blessings will come down.

The blessings will come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings will come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings will come down as your prayers go up,
So build your house on the Lord!

(Thank you to http://www.ebibleteacher.com/children/songs.htm for the lyrics.)

Well, it's a lovely little song, but I can't help thinking that it misses the point of the particular parable.

Here is the analogy the analogy that Jesus is drawing.

A person who hears these words of mine and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like the wise builder.

A person who hears these words of mine but DOES NOT PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE is like the foolish builder.

Let us consider in both cases. "The rains came down and the winds blew against that house." The rain and the wind are an illustration of the difficulties that we experience in life. The difficulties may be different, but the fact that come can be guaranteed. Jesus used the phrase: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice" - when we see a "therefore" in the Bible we must find out what it's there for! In other words, let us look at the context of this parable in the Bible. It comes right at the the end of what we call "The Sermon on the Mount." It covers a lot of ground, and I believe that Jesus was referring to everything he was saying in that Sermon, but it would take too long to cover it all in this blog but let me focus on the section immediately before the parable.

WARNING: The following statement may disturb those with a nervous disposition.

Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!" Matt. 7: 21-23

This statement of Jesus must give every Christian pause for thought. Every Christian needs to ask the question to ask the question of themselves: "What is the basis of my relationship with Jesus Christ?" Many people are living under the delusion that they are Christians. This is a dangerous delusion.

Whenever I have to travel over a international border, I always check that I have my passport with me, and some time before I travel I ensure that I have the requisite visa stamped in my passport. But just imagine I set off on my journey (say travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa by road.), but I had not checked that my passport was with me. Just imagine I assumed it was in my briefcase. I set confidently driving South to Beit Bridge and I arrive at the border post. I walk into the building with my briefcase under my arm, but when I get to the desk and the official asks me for my passport, I look in my briefcase and to my horror I can't find it. I had assumed it was in my briefcase, but it wasn't there. Do you think that the official will say, "That's alright friend, I'm sure you've got one, I will let you through. The fact is, he wouldn't. He is not allowed to." I would have to turn my vehicle around and return to Harare. I can tell you now, that if that were to happen to me - it never did, I promise - but if it did, I would not tell anybody about it. I'd be too embarrassed. People would say, and they would be quite justified in saying it, "That was VERY FOOLISH. You should have checked that you had your passport before you left."

The first group of people who I would put in the "deluded" category are the regular "church attenders." These people are very faithful in attending church services and may even very involved in their church, teaching Sunday School, pouring tea after the service, be a sidesman or deacon in their church, taking up the collection, or distributing the bread and wine during a communion service, being in the church choir or worship team. These involvement's in themselves are very good but if a person believes that by performing these "good works" they are in for a horrible surprise. The people Jesus referred to who called him Lord, Lord, were "busy Christians" doing all sorts of "holy things." But these things did not impress Jesus.

In the "lost and found" series, I hope you realised who it is, in the case of the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Coin who was doing the searching. The son's return in the parable of the Lost Son, was at the mercy of the Father. Our return to the God is because He takes us in, and not because we would make a useful servant. It is the Good Shepherd (John 10:10) who notices that one of his hundred sheep are missing and goes in search for it. The woman in the parable of the Lost Coin, represents our Lord, lighting a lamp, and sweeping the house clean till the coin that was missing is found. My point is, our Salvation is not due to our own effort. There is nothing we can do for ourselves to get out of the predicament we are in. Salvation is both initiated and completed by our God.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Do you think that you deserve to go to heaven? We are completely dependent on God for our salvation. There is nothing that we can do to save ourselves. The only thing we can do is accept the help that the one Person who can save us, offers. That my friend is where faith comes in. I by faith receive Salvation from God, who gives it willingly and freely (without demand for recompense.) - We couldn't pay Him anyway.

Salvation is made possible by the Grace of God. We receive that Salvation through Faith. We do not earn our salvation by works. Any good works that we do do, were prepared in advance for us to do. God does have a purpose and a role for us.

Friend, if you feel that your good works are earning you points, your religion is based on a lie. In order to immigrate to some countries, like Australia and New Zealand, the applicant needs to earn "points." These points are awarded according to a person's age, and the profession or trade that they are qualified to do. Unless you can get a minimum number of points, you can't immigrate. But Salvation is NOT ON A POINTS system. The truth is, nobody would be able to earn enough points anyway. Neither is there a lottery, a lá the USA's Green Card Lottery. The Bible tells us that Salvation is BY GRACE - that is our Salvation was purchased through Christ's death and resurrection.

Jesus made the way because he was Crucified and rose again. It was that act that opened the way to Salvation. Without that death nobody could be saved. But we have to exercise faith and that is deciding to walk in the way. Did you know that before the term Christian was used, believers in Jesus Christ spoke about themselves as being disciple who "belonged to the Way" (Acts 9:2)

If you are reading this and questioning whether you "belong to the Way" you don't have to wonder or guess or hope. You can be sure. This is how:

The Bible says: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death." (Rom 6:23). In short, we do not deserve heaven, we actually deserve death. You need to acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess that. "Lord, I know that I am a sinner, that I have sinned in what I have done, in what I have said, and in my thoughts."

But God has stepped in and made a way and it is the only way for all of us to be saved. "This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." (1 Tim 2:5-6) Pray and ask the Lord to save you.

Surrender your life to Jesus right now. Acknowledge His Lordship of your life.. This is different to simply saying "Lord, Lord." Surrender all the control over to Him. Be willing to accept his lead in your life. The Bible says "Offer yourselves as LIVING SACRIFICES." (Rom 12:2)

If you have taken this step of confessing and repenting from your sin and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord then you need to tell people about it, and resolve to live differently from now onwards. Will you slip up? Yes. But we have a merciful God who died for all our sins. The difference now is that you are no longer a slave to sin, but are free to live the life God has called you to live. Previously you sinned and didn't care, now you have conscience and desire to live right.

Tell someone who you know is a Christian about this change. That person can help you as you begin your walk with the Lord. Then tell others about what Jesus has done for you. If they are Christians they will celebrate. If they are not they may think it strange. They might say: But I thought you were a Christian already, and then you can tell them about the difference between being a church attender and "belonging to the Way."

Friends I have more to say but that's enough for this week. God bless

John

Chapter 3 - Lost and Found Series

Chapter 3

The third parable Jesus told was the Parable of the Lost Son.

Part 1 - The Getting Lost Phase

"Jesus continued; "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need." (Verses 11-14)

Just thinking about the first phase of this story. We can call it, the "getting lost" phase. In the English language, there is an expression which one hears from time to time. It is actually a rather nasty phrase. When somebody, or an animal is bugging a person, the person may say "Oh, Get lost!" meaning: Go away and stay away, and don't bug me. People don't mean it literally, but nevertheless I think we ought to be more careful as Christians about what we say. It is after all just as easy to say to a person, "Please leave me alone for a while."

Well in this story, there was no-one saing to the younger son, "Get Lost." but he proceeded to do that anyway.

More often than not, Getting lost is not a deliberate thing, done by the person lost. Nobody intends to be lost - it's kind of accidental. But people do sometimes deliberately want to get away, to escape from a situation. Animals that are confined to a small area, will look for a way to get out. Prisoners are always looking to escape the confines of their prisons. Sometimes a child may want to run away from home, because they believe (or know) that they are being denied something that they want.

The younger son in our story, wanted to get away. He was bored by home living and he decided he would like to "have his freedom." Of course sometimes the reality is you are being confined for your own good. I was safest while I remained within the confines of the campsite. (See my introduction to the Lost and Found series.) People who have been Christians from a young age, sometimes go through a stage when they decide to kick over the traces. They want to "Live a while." They perceive living according God's Word as being boring and they "just want to have a bit of fun." The problem is that the "fun" that they want to have means going against God's Word and will in the long run, result in tears.

Maybe you are a young person who's thinking about leaving home, either secretly, at night, or openly and defiantly. I strongly urge you my friend to talk to somebody and get some other perspective on this. If you can't talk to your parents about your unhappiness, talk to another adult, but don't run away. Let me just warn you up front, that there are people out there, who hang around places like bus terminals and railway stations and they can spot a run-away as if he or she is wearing a sign "run away" on them. When they find find such a person, they act like the friendly older person, who will help. They show the young runnaway a lot of interest and concern, but in a subtle way, they confine the run-away but this time to the run-away's peril. They will give the run-away enough to buy their trust, and then bring them into a terrible life. Young people from Africa and Eastern Europe have been literally enslaved by these people who offer a wonderful life over in "the West" but many a young women will tell you that their lives were awful - they were entrapped and forced to become prostitutes by these people. This is a world-wide phenomenon. It's not that new either. I think of the Charles Dicken's story Oliver Twist, and the story of Pinocchio. My point being that just because someone acts friendly and wants to give you some "friendly advice" does not mean that they really care for you.

Part 2 - Hitting Bottom

"So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country. who sent him to his field to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no-one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, "he said "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!" Verses 15 - 17.

I would like to refer to this the "awareness phase." Alcoholics Anonymous talk about "hitting bottom." (This has nothing to do with spanking - please read it in context) What is the most painful aspect of falling? When are most of the injuries sustained. Is it not the impact with the ground? But in order to "hit bottom" you first need to have jumped. Jumping might have seemed a good idea at the time, but as you come closer to the ground and certainly when you've hit the ground, jumping definitely was a bad idea. This young man in the parable appears to have hit bottom. But of course there is a "good side" (if you can call it that) to hitting bottom - it means you can't fall any further - it's got as bad as it'll get. Again, Alcoholics Anonymous tells us that the only way to recover is first to admit that one IS an alcoholic. If you are sick, it is realising that you are sick and deciding to get help that is the first step to recovery.

There is campaign for "at risk" people to have themselves tested for HIV or Hepatitus A virus. There are no cures for these but if you catch it early you can take medication that will help you, and keep your system going. Some cancers if caught at the early phases can be removed, but if left alone, or ignored or one is in denial, then that cancer will get the better of you and will kill. This truth is the same for those who are lost, wondering away from God.

It is only at the moment that you realise your need for God that you can be helped. The young man said "I am starving to death." That is the crux of this part of the story. Where are you at the moment, my friend? How are you? Are you "starving to death?"

Part 3 - The Returning Phase

"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of yor hired men." So he got up and went to his father." Verse 18 - 20a

"The Returning Phase" When the son left home, he left with a swagger, with an attitude, being "full of himself." He was after all in charge of his life. What a different picture we get of the returning son, full of remorse and feeling ashamed. nevertheless, he was doing the right thing returning home. If you have got it wrong, the truth is there is such a thing as new beginnings - 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come." Friend, the truth is all of us have a past, something we are intensely ashamed of, something which we would do anything to hide away from. It happens to all of us at some point. The Bible says: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23) The young man in our story was ashamed of himself, and well he should have been. But he returned, with a new attitude, one of humbleness, realising that he had a father who loved him (even if he did not at this stage appreciate to what extent.) It doesn't really matter wat the motive for the son's return is, what is important is that he was returning.

Part 4 - The Reunification

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, through his arms around him and kissed him." THe son said to him, "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick, Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate. "

Verses 20b - 24.

The Son, having made his resolve to return, was met "while he was still far off. " Friend, God looks to the day when you and I will see the error of our ways and will come to him. But he doesn't wait for us for us to walk through his gate, or to knock on his door. The Bible says: "As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins.... But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions." (Eph 2:1a, 4-5a) Friend, God is just waiting for you to turn, and he is ready, willing and able to meet you right where you are.

I'm into drama - I really enjoy it, and if I were to set this story in a modern context, I would have the son, after he had realised that he'd blown it completely, living at the other end of the world phone from a call box (reversing the charges) and say something like this: Dad, it's Phil here - I'm calling from .... Please Dad I want to come home. But it'll take me a while, I've hit on some bad times here. Would it be okay if I come?" - to which I would have the father reply: "Son, where are you exactly - I am going to organise you a ticket, you can pick it up at the airport." I think you get the picture - God hasn't given up on you friend, and when you return He's ready for a party.

© John F.

Lost and Found - Chapter 2

Not long ago, when I was teaching, one of my student's brought me a box of his treasured collection of coins. He had coins and notes from many different parts of the world. I could see that this collection was very special to him, and in his case, I have no doubt that if one of those coins went missing, he too would search thoroughly in case it had fallen out of his box. I'm sure Sean could easily identify with the woman in this parable.

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says "Rejoice with me; I've found my lost coin." In the same way, I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Verses 8 -10)

Again, we see that the item that was lost was of value to the one who lost it. We live in a world of put downs. We live in a world that pays lip-service to equal rights for all. It is a world that wants to conform us to its image of beauty, value, or success. It's a hard world, we are told and you either have to "get with the system" or you will be brushed aside. If you want to be successful in life, we are told, you have to do things in a certain way (the non-God honouring way), you have to get one over your colleague, you have to lie, to cheat, or steal, and even kill if necessary - yes if you get get caught - you will face the full wrath of the law, but the trick is not to be caught, but if you are then, if you are wealthy, you can pay a lawyer to lie and to manipulate the law to get the outcome that you want.

Friends there is a day coming when everything that is done in secret, will be made plain and every unconfessed or secret sin will be brought into the light of day - exposed for all to see. But there is a better way friends, that is the way of repentance.

You see the world measures us according to our performance - and ascribes a value to us accordingly. But God is the one who made you, and he is the one who placed a value on us. Think about a coin. How do you know what value a coin has - it's easy - what does it say? - $1. 50p. R5.00 It's stamped on the coin at the time that it is minted, and whether the coin is shining new, or twenty years old, it maintains its value. God has stamped His image on you, and you have a value to him. Yes, you may fall and get mixed up in the dirt to the extent that it is hard to see you in the dust. But you are still worth a great deal to God and He will keep looking until He finds you. Like Sean's collection of coins, we can tell not only what the face value of the coin is, but also its country of origin. Friend you are a person of great worth - the Bible says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14) Not only did our Lord make us with such great care, but he made us with a clear purpose in mind. Jer 29:11 says: "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Has someone ever said to you or implied that you were "an accident" or the result of an unplanned pregnancy. I want you to know that no matter how much of a surprise you were to your parents, your birth was no accident. God created you deliberately and he has placed a great value on your life.

Let us think about what the woman does to find her coin. She lights a lamp. In Psalm 119:105 - it says "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. " It may be that there are issues in your life that need closer examining - Bring the light of God's Word to the subject and you'll be amazed at what He brings to light. If you are dealing with an area of temptation, go to the Scriptures - Jesus did each time he was tempted by Satan, He said, "It is written." Where is it written, - In the Scriptures. The light of God's Word will reveal two things:
1) Where you (the coin that is lost) are.
2) Your true value.
The woman also swept the house. Maybe Jesus needs to do some sweeping in your life. Maybe there is so much mess in there that it is obscuring your true value - nobody can see God's image that is engraved into you. Just like the woman, Jesus is willing to sweep your house clean. You can't do it. But He can, and He will if you let him.
I really feel that I need to stress that you do not derive your value from the things you do, but that value comes because You were created in God's likeness- His image is on the coin that is you. That image is on every coin that is minted (Every person who is created, regardless of their religion or background bears the image of God - from the moment of conception, but every coin is different.) You are different to everybody else that exists. You may want looks like the person you idolise, but that is to deny your own individual value. This has two lesson for us:

1) You are valuable and special to God and He has created you for a special purpose.

2) Everyone you know know and those you don't know as well all bear God's image and are wonderfully and fearfully made for a certain purpose. Now the exterior may look a little less value, but in God's eyes - everyone has a special role and we must not underestimate how God can use people who seem to be less capable than we are.

I have a friend called Joy, and she has Down's Syndrome, and yet she has taught me many a lesson in the Spirit, through her love and simple faith in Christ.


It's possible friend that you have felt lost. You feel that you are not wanted, tossed aside like some insignificant coin that when it falls to the ground the owner doesn't even notice. You might feel that like that lost coin lying in the dust or in the street, people walk all over you, and take you for granted. It is possible my friend, that many of the people you see each day, and the people you work with, don't even know your name. And yet the truth is, God not only knows your name, but he knows everything about you, every experience you have had, has not gone unnoticed, and God wants you for His own. He will pick you, wash you and display with pride. He says "This is my treasured possession." "I love her" "I love him."

The Lord says in Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearcheable thing you do not know."
Are you lost? Call on the Lord. He has promised that he will answer you.

Have a great week! "Stay tuned" for the next exciting chapter of "Lost and Found!"
John

LOST AND FOUND SERIES - Chapter One

Let's return now to the Bible, and look at the theme of LOST and FOUND. Luke 15 has three parables that Jesus told.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

The Parable of the Lost Coin

The Parable of the Lost Son (also known as "The Prodigal Son").

First let's read the introduction, which gives us the context:

Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathered around to hear Him (Jesus.) But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Verses 1 -2)

In First century Palestine, tax-collectors were people contracted by the Romans to collect taxes from the inhabitants, and from then until now, it has not been a dearly loved profession. There was some reason for the Pharisee's disdain of tax-collectors as they were notoriously corrupt, taking more than they were due, from their own people (tax-collectors were themselves Jewish). Those referred to as Sinners - well I'm not entirely sure, but I suspect that at least in the eyes of the puritanical Pharisees, they were people of questionable morals. The Pharisees had a severe case of superiority complex. They were generally accepted as taking the Law of God very seriously indeed and would not associate with "known sinners" at all. They looked down their noses at such people. The thing is about the Pharisees, was that they were blind to their own faults. Jesus had a different approach.

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, "Rejoice with me, I have found my lost sheep." I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent. (Verses 3 -7)

The meaning of this parable is plain, but I would draw attention to one or two things that I feel are significant.

1. Every sheep is important - the man was aware that the sheep was missing - he kept count. Not only that but when one went missing even though he had ninety nine others - he went looking for the one. To own 100 sheep, I think, was something only wealthy people could afford. No-doubt at some point lambing season would come around and many little lambs would be born. But still this man was concerned about the ONE sheep. You may be reading this today, and you may feel, that you are not very important, that nobody cares about you and that no-one would notice if you were gone. You may be a young person thinking about running away from home. You may be thinking of trying to kill yourself. Friend, if that's you - Your heavenly Father wants you to know that He loves you and YOU ARE SPECIAL to Him. There is no-one else in this whole entire world who is like you. You have special qualities, and God made you the way you are, and He accepts you, the way you are. Yes, you may have blown it but nevertheless, God will come after you. He wants to put you on His shoulders and take you home. You can fight it, but I'd suggest you let him do that.

2. "until he finds it" - God will persist until he finds you - though in fact, he never "lost you" in the sense of not knowing where you are, but you are/were not where you needed to be, spiritually speaking. I think again about my experience in the forest. God spoke to me and I responded and then He took me back to safety. Today God uses different ways of rescuing his lost sheep. He sometimes has them encounter a Christian who is willing to share the Gospel with them, sometimes through a radio broadcast or a TV programme that they happen to be listening to, and I suppose it may be through a Christian blog or website that people are confronted with the Word of God. There is many a testimony of a Gideon Bible in a hotel room, or gospel tract, found "lying around" that has stopped someone in their tracks.

God has not given up on you friend - don't give up on yourself. You, like that little boy in the forest, may not be aware that you are lost, or that you are in any particular danger - but you are, if you have wondered away from God. The Bible says that the devil, like a lion prowls around seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) You may be walking down a street called "Experimentation with drugs," or "Internet Avenue", and be captivated by what you see in the shop windows, but beware my friend, these are very misleading and dangerous. You may have got snared by abuse (somebody else abusing you sexually, verbally or physically), and need help to get away. Reach out - tell someone what's going on and get help. The help is there friend. If you are a child or a teen there is a childline in most countries where you can phone or drop in and receive counselling. Don't hesitate to use these services. Don't accept the guilt trip that the abuser wants to lay on you.

As I write this, the words of Sunday school song I learnt when I was little come to mind:

We've got a great big
wonderful God, We've got a great big wonderful God

A God who is always watching over
us, always.... A Great big worderful God

He never, never leaves us,
He's
always standing by,

to pick us up when we stumble,

we're in the apple of His
eye.

That song is so true - We're in the Apple of His eye, and He is standing by to pick us up when we stumble - the does say WHEN and not IF - We will stumble, that's for sure, but God will pick us up.

I'm sure the sheep that was lost didn't look around and say to itself, "Oh I wonder where everyone else went, I must be lost..." No - lost sheep would have just continued to walk and graze, walk and graze, it seemed to be familiar territory - but it wasn't; we lost sheep had wandered away from the flock. You may think you're not lost, you may even say you know exactly where you are, and that you are quite happy and content. You may be regularly attending a place of worship, but you are not in touch with the Lord - you have wandered away from the truth. You no longer read the Bible as you used to. Friend, it is possible to be lost and not be aware that you are lost. Turn around and look for your Saviour Jesus Christ, if you can't "see" him, you are lost. The great news is that you don't have to stay lost. Repent of your sin, and then you will be found.

I interrupt this meditation to bring a News Break - A Good News Break - this morning (Sunday) at Church God had a theme at the service I attended. It started out with the leader of the service sharing a message for those who were feeling inadequate, and that was that God was saying "you are special" - and then the Youth brought a skit, re-enacting the parable of the Ungrateful servant, who although He was forgiven much refused to forgive his fellow servant the little that he owed him. Then the word was preached and the text 2 Cor 10:3 -5 was about how to demolish strongholds - but coming through everything was that we need to remember who we are in Christ, that we are more than conquerors. I sense that God is saying something along the same line with my sharing on the lost sheep.

We are all valuable to God - yes we come with our baggage, our past hurts, our sins, our inadequacies, our weaknesses, and the Lord says to us as we enter through His gate, "You can leave all of that right here, all of it is taken care of. Take off your dirty shoes and walk barefoot on the grass."

Themes Continued

Hello Friends,

I have just finished writing this week's blog and it is the longest without doubt. Almost 5000 words. But don't lost heart friends, I intend to "chapterise" it and over the next few days send out a chapter at a time so you can think about each bit on its own. This email will contain the introduction Then every three days, i will post one of the chapters (There are three) until you have the whole blog.

With this blog, I encourage you to share it with your friends. I really sensed the Lord was speaking to people through this and so feel free to share it with as many friends as you like. Friends, please don't feel that I am getting at you if this blog gets a bit personal - I have sent this email out to a lot of people, and I trust that what i have written was what the Lord laid on my heart for me to write. If it touches a nerve, talk to the Lord about it.

 

YOur friend and brother in the Lord,

John 

Dear Friends,

 

Last week I wrote about Themes. From an educationalist perspective, the use of themes in education are a useful tool. So from time to time a school may decide on a specific theme and the various teachers in the school work to tie in the various lesson to fit with the "the theme" whatever that may be. Themes can be a useful technique to aid learning. Some themes impose themselves on the system, for instance, "The Olympics" when these are going on is a favourite theme. After big events, and at the anniversary of a big event a natural teaching can emerge. Last year, 2005, being the sixtieth Anniversary of the end of WWII, had a lot of historical themes. Then there are Easter, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Valentine's Day themes.

 

But, I don't think it was just a good educational idea, but the Lord Himself, teaches using themes. Look at Luke 15 - three stories - with a common theme - being lost and found. What's the theme in John 15? "I am the vine, and you are the branches." Yes the Lord taught, sometimes according to a theme back then, and he still does. Look again at last week's blog, God bringing about discussion on a particular theme over a period of time, in different contexts, until we  get the message.

 

I was planning to write more about 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:6 as thought I had more to write about it, but I sense that God is steering me in a different direction, so I shall leave you to mull over the implications of this text for yourselves, and what follows is my meditation on "lost and found".

 

Just this evening, I have been looking for a booklet in which I writing a journal for my university studies - I've put it down somewhere but cannot find it. People have said about me, "John, if your head wasn't screwed on, you'd lose that." It seems to be a particular weakness of mine, losing or mis-laying things, that is.

 

Let me relate to you a story that happened in my early chilhood, when I was lost. This story is related from my memory and from what my mum told me about the occasion as I was very young, about four or five.

 

It was the beginning of the bush war in Rhodesia, where I grew up. We as a family had gone to Inyanga and were camping in the National Parks camping site which was in amongst a forest of pine trees. The one day, my family had all gone out, fishing or walking at one of the dams in the National Park. I was left with a minder, at the camp, quite content to play by myself at the camp site. For some reason, my minder was not watching me (perhaps he had gone to relieve himself or maybe he was preparing for the evening meal, ) and I took it in my head to go for a walk - I wondered off into the forest, oblivious of the potential danger I was getting into, and I wondered quite far away from the campsite and there was no distinct path to follow. I'm sure my sense of direction, or common survival skills were not that great. At some point, I heard a voice coming out of the trees. I looked up but didn't see anything, but I answered the voice. The voice said, "My name is Abba." We talked a bit more and the voice said he had a son, called "Amma" - I had a new invisible friend and we talked and played together, and a little later, I emerged from the forest, back where I had started, by the campsite only to find a frantic family who were looking for me. I told my Mum about Abba and Amma. It was only many years later that I learnt that Jesus called his Father, Abba - "Daddy." I believe that God revealed himself to me, a little boy, when I was in great danger and brought me back to safety. I was lost in the forest, God found me (not that at any point in time was He unaware of my location), and he steered me very gently back to safety. At no point, as far as I can remember, was I anxious or did I feel lost. I certainly didn't get any big scares, and if I did come close to dangers, such as snakes or wild animals, God must shielded me from them.

 

"Thorn in the Flesh" marvelously and painlessly extricated.

Dear Friends, a couple of weeks ago i got the results of the three exams I wrote in January. I shared with most of you at that time that I had managed to pass the two of them but that the one foxed me - and that the particular module was one that I had repeated last year, having failed it once before. I called it my "thorn in the flesh." Well I reregistered immediately for the module to repeat it ths year and immediately wrote to the lecturer responsible for that course asking him to please let me know where I was going wrong so that I could tighten up in that area as each time it was just a few percentage points short of the pass mark. He informed me that he would look at the scripts and would get back to me. I was looking at the materials for this year and noticed that this year, the assignment mark counts for 10% of the year mark, where previously it didn't.

 

You can imagine my surprise and delight today when I checked E-mail to find that the lecturer had reviewed my paper and decided that he could give it a better mark, giving me the required 50%. This is such a blessing, and I am over-joyed.

 

THanks to those friends who wrote and encouraged me.

 

John

Themes

Have you ever experienced when a topic, or a name of somebody seems to come up in completely different circumstances or you happen to be thinking about someone and someone else mentions their name. I suppose we can put that sort of thing down to co-incidence or, as Christians, you may feel that it is God speaking to you about that subject or person, and that you need to respond in some way.

In the last months before I left Zimbabwe, the Holy Spirit moved in our assembly in just that sort of way. He woke a member of our church up every morning for three mornings in a row, at exactly 3:33 a.m. He shared this phenomenon with our Pastor, Dave, who a week later, was also woken at 3:33 a.m.. Dave decided that clearly this was of God, and that we as an assembly needed to be aware of it and to seek the Lord for clarity. He had no sooner finished explaining about 3:33 a.m. Wake up call, when Debbie came forward and explained how she was woken at about that time by a call on her cell phone - no-one was there. She looked at her watch, and it was 3:34 so around 3:33 a.m. God phoned her, we think. Chrissie felt the Lord was saying "Call on me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearcheable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3. So we felt that God was calling the Church to deep and searching prayer for the nation. We responded by starting a weekly fast, which I believe continues till now. John, a missionary who was part of our fellowship was woken at 3:26 a.m. He shared with the assembly and God lead me to Revelation 3:2-6. "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard; obey it and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet You have a few people in Sardis, who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before my Father and His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. "

This last week has been another week for what I would like to term, "A thematic Word."

On Sunday, Pastor Rich preached a message on "What is the Bible - getting down to absolute basics. He discussed the Scriptures as God's revealed Word, and the need to engage in regular reading and studying of the Bible for personal edification. (building up of one's self.) It was a great preach! Nothing I haven't heard before, but nevertheless, important to hear again.

On Monday, we did an unusual thing in this family, we read the Bible together, as a family. We were using a daily devotional of my mother's - by Bishop J. C. Ryle. The text was from Mark, but there was a text for further reading: 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:5. (I will quote this text in full a bit later, but for now I would like to show you the thematic development, as it unfolded during the week.)

On Wednesday I went to our home group. The text was Genesis 12:1-9 - we have been discussing Abraham, and he is the Bible Character around whom we are focusing our study. But as the evening unfolded, it became clear that the Lord had a clear word for a particular member of our group, but also for the group as a whole, about the importance of spending time in God's Word, hearing from God, every day.

At the end of the study we were all given an extract from a Charles Swindoll book from which I will quote the opening paragraph:

A vital walk depends upon daily discernment of the will of God. God could speak audibly with each of us if He desired. However that is not the norm today. He has left us His Word and His Spirit instead. But some find God's leadership difficult to discern. It needn't be hard or hazardous; but poor judgment has led many far afield. The following guidelines are designed to help you stay on the path of certainty and assurance"

Swindoll gives the the guidelines under the following headings:

• Search the Scriptures. Swindoll quotes from 2 Tim. 3:16-17 under this heading.

• Pray for understanding

• Seek godly counsel

• Be patient

• Read about God's will.

On Thursday evening, my mother and I went to an ordination service for the leader of my Parent's Bible study, who was being ordained as a deacon, which is the first step in the process of becoming a minister, in their denomination. The bishop, who presided over the ordination used as his text 2 Tim 4:2-8. In his preaching he exhorted the deacon to "Preach the Word" understanding the urgency of the message, and understanding that it is truth, it corrects, it rebukes and it encourages, but that many people nowadays will reject the preaching of the truth and will seek out what their itching ears want to hear. It was a really powerful word from God.

Let me emphasise that on each of the four occasions mentioned above this text or sections from this text were read or referred too. Co-incidence - I don't think so: More like a God-incidence!!

2 Tim 3:14 - 4:5

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for Salvation though faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in Righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will Judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Just some points that I glean from this passage, for personal application:

a) "How from infancy, you have known the Scriptures. Oh what a privilege it is to be introduced to God's Word from a young age. Nobody can be too young to hear from God through His Word. If you are a parent of small children, make it a daily habit to spend some time reading it with them. (Please note that I use the preposition "with" instead of "to".) Children will see that this book is special to you, and so in turn, it will be special to them. Choose the old favourite stories like Noah's Ark, Jonah and the "Whale", The birth of Jesus (don't wait for Christmas time for this one!), Some of the parables, the death and resurrection of Jesus (again, you don't have to wait for Easter to talk about this.), and stories about Peter and John healing the beggar at the temple gate, the conversion of Paul, and many more beside. Use a children's Bible or a modern English (or whatever your home language is) version of the Bible, and tell the stories with as much gusto and originality as you would the fairy tales and adventure stories that you read to them. By doing this daily you are communicating, without "telling them" that the Bible is a daily thing, and doesn't just belong in church, or Sunday School or school Scripture classes (if your Child is so fortunate as to have these.) Don't just read to them, also ready to discuss what you read. You can role play, you can ask questions that stimulate thought about the story, like, "Why do you think Jesus said that the Samaritan was a neighbour to the injured man?" And of course be ready to answer your children's questions. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Reading to and with your children from an early age has proven educational benefit, and, reading the Word of God to them will also yield spiritual dividends.

I was blessed that I had early exposure to God's Word, the Bible, and I thank and praise him for that, but you may not be so young and have not had the same privilege. Yet if you have recently turned to Christ, and become born again, you are a spiritual infant, needing the milk of God's word. You too can decide from this time on, to make reading God's word a part of your daily life.

b) Scripture makes us wise to Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Let's be clear here. Reading the Bible in and of itself will not make you a Christian. It is not the reading of God's Word, but the response to it that matters. Salvation is a free gift of God, freely given and received by faith of each of individual. The Scriptures are like a signpost pointing us to God, showing us the way to Salvation they are not Salvation itself. As a child, our favorite holiday resort was Nyanga in the eastern Highlands of Zimabwe. Now in order to get there we would drive on the road to Mutare until we came to Rusape, where there was a sign at the turn off saying "Nyanga - 98 km."

It would have been ridiculous if we pulled over and said, well we don't need to go any further, we have seen the sign. No, we needed to go in the direction that the sign was pointing. Yes, without the Bible, we would not be able to find Salvation, we would not be aware that there is Salvation in Jesus Christ, but the Bible itself is not Salvation.

c) The Bible is God-breathed - that is, it is God's Word - every word of it, and rejecting any part of it, is as good as rejecting the whole document. This is a central tenet of Christianity, and though we may discuss interpretation of certain scriptures, and there may be disagreement among Christians on aspects of God's Word, as Pastor Rich pointed out in his message on Sunday, anything that is essential to Salvation, is very clear in Scripture.

Well, I'm sure I could go on, but this turning into a dissertation instead of a blog, so I will desist and let the Word of God speak to you for itself. I will provide a bibliographical reference in my next blog to the the documents (other than the Bible) that I have quoted from or made reference to in this blog.

God Bless,

John

Me in my Study! Beavering away at my books and getting down to some "serious graft!!"

John 

My Weekly Blog - Stormy weather

    Hello Friends,

 

I went to Bible Study this week; it was very stormy. No, not the Bible Study - the weather. As we sat down to start studying about Abraham, the lightening and thunder started too. Graham the home group leader had to speak loudly to be heard over the noise from outside. Then there was a really loud clap of Thunder, it must have hit somewhere in the premises, because we all jumped. Then again, and again. Apparently, this storm was all over the district. At one point the lightening was very close and out went the lights (I felt at home - quite used to that from Zimbabwe - not that there needed to be a storm to knock the lights out in Zimbabwe). Four little children came through from where they were sleeping and joined the grown-ups in the lounge. Of course the animals were upset too. One of the group members who happens to be a next door neighbour to the hosts house, remembered that certain electrical equipment was still plugged in, so he decided to run home and make sure everything was off and unplugged. He ran out the gate, and a strange dog (a beautiful white alsatian looking dog) ran in from the street - straight into the house.) So at one point, we had four children, 12 adults, 4 dogs all huddled together in the lounge. They stayed there until the storm passed over, and the children were reassured that the storm had gone away. Eventually, the things calmed down and the children went back to bed, and the strange dog left, and we continued our Bible study by torch and candle light. Before long the lights were back on and everything returned to normal. Strangely enough, I got a devotional about storms on my email the very next day. It's written by a chap called Ron Hutchcraft and he has daily devotional entitled "A word with you." I copy it here for your interest:

 

#4979 - "Storm Proof Security"
Acts 27:18-20

    If they ever ask me to be a participant in those Nielsen ratings of who is watching what TV show, they'll probably find me watching the Weather Channel more than a lot of viewers. Oh, not necessarily because I'm intrigued with low-pressure systems, or barometric readings, or cumulus nimbus clouds, but because I want to see my future in the places I may be traveling to. But sometimes, they don't have the weather on. They have this primetime documentary show called "Storm Stories." Now while the story of a storm that happened twenty years ago isn't going to help me plan for tomorrow, the stories are pretty dramatic. They're often amazing accounts of the people who survived major weather disasters - and the people who didn't. It's especially interesting to see what steps help you be a storm survivor rather than a storm victim.

    I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Storm Proof Security."

    I'll bet you've got your own personal "storm stories," don't you? I know I've got mine - stories of some life storms that you've been hit with; medical storms, financial storms, family, marital, heavy weather with your kids, maybe your work, or the ministry, your relationships. One of the most dramatic storm stories I ever read is actually in our word for today from the Word of God in Acts 27, beginning with verse 20. It's going to help you survive your storm - because it shows the two anchors you can hang onto that no storm can touch.

    Paul is a Roman prisoner, being carried to Rome aboard a ship loaded with Caesar's grain, and they get hit with a massive storm that drives them all over the Mediterranean for two perilous weeks. Paul says, "We took such a violent battering ... they began to throw the cargo overboard." That's pretty desperate. The apostle goes on to explain that "neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging." Have you ever been in a situation like that where none of your usual points of reference could help you; you're drifting and confused. That's what we're talking about here.

    Then, "we finally gave up all hope of being saved" (Acts 27:18, 20). Notice, "we" gave up all hope. Even the spirit of the great Apostle Paul has succumbed to the storm. But then the next day we find him standing up and saying to everyone aboard, "Keep up your courage because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed." What happened? Well, God reminded Paul of those two anchors that will carry you through. He explains to the people on that storm-threatened ship: "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you'" (Acts 27:22-25).

    Anchor #1: Who you belong to. The God "whose I am." Don't let the storm make you forget that the Lord is your God and that His sovereignty is unshakeable. No life that is in the hands of the Sovereign Lord is out of control no matter how much it feels like the storm is winning. If you are His child, then every storm in your life has either been sent by Him or approved by Him for His glory, for your good and your growth.

    Anchor #2: Who you do it for. The God "whom I serve." The storm can blow away every reason for finishing the thing that God gave you to do except one - the One who called you to do it. He hasn't moved, no matter how much the ship is getting blown around. God told Paul, "The mission I've given you, you will complete." He's saying the same thing to you. Hang onto your anchors and no storm, however violent, will sink you!

    About the ending of the storm story: The ship that was supposed to be headed from Israel to Italy - the ship that had been seemingly out of control for two weeks ended up going aground on the island just south of Italy. All the time Paul's ship had appeared to be out of control, it had been right on course, and so is yours because of the God "whose you are and whom you serve."

-----

About that Anchor #1 - it says "If you are His child." I believe we are all His children in the sense that He is our Creator, but in this case I think Ron means if you have been adopted into the family, that is, you have committed your life to Jesus Christ, to follow him and live with Him for ever. Even if you are not a Christian, however, I think it is true to say that God allows storms in your life, to help you depend on Him, and call on His name. I remember that one of the first sermon's I preached, while at Bible college was based on Psalm 107:

 

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.

For He spoke and stirred up a tempest (storm) that lifted high the waves.

They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.

They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and He brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.

PS 107: 23-31

 

"For He spoke and stirred up a tempest." Some people shake their fists at God and say why do you let me suffer like this. Others cannot accept that God would cause his children to suffer and that there must be some other explanation. I am inclined to think that both reactions are wrong (though understandable.)

 

Firstly those who shake their fists at God: They acknowledge God is the source but they forget that He also brings the calm that follows the storm. Yes, storms do have natural scientific explanations for their occurrence, but I believe that God controls even these natural forces. But I'm speaking also about the figurative storms in our lives. God knows about them, and He has allowed them, for whatever purpose. Maybe He's waiting for you to call on Him.

 

The second group who deny God would cause the Storm, they have ignored that line I quoted, "He spoke and stirred up a tempest." The other week in Church, Pastor Rich was saying that above everything else God loves his Glory and so everything he does is to increase His Glory. Because of this, He also loves us and has created us for His glory. " 

We see this exemplified in the following verse that follows the section I quoted above: "Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the council of the elders." Ps 107:32 Who are the "them" being spoken about? I think they were the same sailors who were in that storm. It may not be possible to give to testimony and praise God while in the midst of the storm, that's understandable, but you will come through it, and then, you must "exult Him" by telling others how He took you through. Friends, I've been through many a storm in my life. And I will no doubt experience more in my life time, but God is taking me to my desired haven, and even if I can't see it, God is directing that ship - He has his hand on the rudder."

 

I do hope that someone getting this at this time will be encouraged by this. If you have any questions, or would like prayer, feel free to write to me, and I will gladly pray for you.

 

You may share my blog with friends, particularly if you feel that I have said something that will touch their hearts. (If that is the case, the glory belongs to God.)

 

I am praying today for my friend Alisan, her husband, David their two children who left Johannesburg today to go to Namibia as missionaries.

 

Till next week then,

 

John

 

ADMINISTRATION:

 

I have sent this to a number of my friends so I just want to explain to those getting this for the first time. I have started a blog www.johnnyscfblog.blogspot.com and a newsgroup on Yahoo. I have resolved to write one a week. Sometimes it will contain news about me, sometimes something that has got me thinking will result in a little comment. Mostly it will be of a spiritual nature, a Bible Study, or just what God has been saying to me. Whatever it is, I like to share it, in the hope that it will touch someone, and is a word in season.

 

If you have written to me and said that you would like to get these on a weekly basis but you do not have access to the internet, then I have added your name.

 

If you have written to me and said please don't send me this thing - I'm sorry, I never got the email - write to me again and I will make sure I don't send you any more.

 

If you have not written to me but would like to get this weekly, I can do one of two things:

1. Add you to my NewsGroup - that will involve you going onto the Internet and registering. (send me an email saying you want to join and I will send you an invite). (I know it's complicated, but it prevents all kinds of wierdos trying to send us rubbish.)

2. Add your name to my private list (if you can't or don't want to go online to join). Send me an email saying PRIVATE LIST please. 

 

If you do not want to get this, send me a brief email saying NO MORE PLEASE. (Don't forget the "PLEASE"!!!)

 

Your friend,

 

John

Lead us not into temptation

I was chatting to someone this week, and she said, "I don't get it where Jesus says we should pray, "Lead us not into temptation." Now I've heard many an explanation regarding this but I have to admit, most explanations have not convinced me.
First of all, taking it at it's direct meaning: literally asking God not to lead us into Temptation:
Surely the one who leads us into temptation is Satan and not God?
In the book of James says: "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." (James 1:13)
So if God does not tempt anyone why does Jesus say we should pray, "Lead us not into temptation?"
I have heard the explanation that the word for temptation in the Greek, (peirsamos) can also mean "testing." I checked this in my Strong's Concordance and Lexicon and it says the following:
3986 peirasmos pi-ras-mos; from 3985 (peirazo - to test); a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil] solicitation, discipline or provocation); by impl. Adversity: temptation, x try.
So this could be translated "Lead us not into testing." Oh, it still doesn't work, for me. I may be quite "dof". (Slang for stupid) but I have a few queries concerning this.
Firstly, why has this verse consistently been translated as "temptation." from the KJV to the NIV. There may be, though I am not aware of any, versions that translate this word as "testing."
I do admit that God does test us. There are many instances in the Scriptures that make reference to God testing/trying His people.
2 Chron. 32:31 - "God left him to test him".
Job 7:18 - Job is praying saying: "You (God) examine him [man] every morning and test him every moment." - This is really interesting. - I will come back to this one.
Ps. 26:2 "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind."
Ps 139:23 "Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."
Jer. 9:7 "Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test them..." (In the Hebrew the word refine means "melt.")
Jer. 17:10 "I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind."
Zech. 13:7 - 9 The heading in my NIV bible to this section is "The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep scattered." I quote the section in its totality:
"Awake, O sword against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me." declares the Lord Almighty. "Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered and I will turn my hand against the little ones." "In the whole land," declares the Lord, two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine (melt) them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my Name and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God."
In the New Testament we read:
1 Cor. 3:12-13 If any man builds on this foundation (Christ) using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
1 Pet. 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (In the KJV - the fiery trial which is to try you.)
So what conclusions can we draw from these scriptures?
1 - God does test His people.
2 - It is an ongoing process (not a once off event!)
3 - The testing is not a pleasant experience to endure.
4 - Nevertheless, it is a good and positive experience and thus we see places where God is invited to test individuals. I stress that although it is difficult to endure the trial, it is a good and positive experience.
5 - Thus we are exhorted to endure the test with JOY.
All the above being true, why does Jesus say we must pray lead us NOT into temptation (testing.)
Surely Jesus should have said "Lead us into testing". (In modern terminology - "Bring it on, God.!) Now I know you are saying "Steady on there John." Jesus however said "Lead us not into temptation." So what IS Jesus saying?
If God does not tempt, but he does test and if that testing is a positive and desirable (though not a pleasant) experience, why does Jesus say Lead us not into temptation/testing?
I was listening to a programme on TBN TV earlier this week, when someone said something which gave me an idea (I'm sorry I cannot name the speaker or the programme) of a different way of understanding this statement. One of the difficulties with reading is that tone of voice can be lost in the process. We are helped to a certain extent by punctuation, but the Greek texts from which we get our Bible were to a large degree devoid of such punctuation.
I think, and I am open to discussion on this, that we could read the text in a slightly different way.
Maybe what Jesus was saying was this:
Lead us, not into temptation but, deliver us from evil.
By praying it this way, we are asking God to lead us. Failure to be lead by God will lead to temptation and sin, and so we need to be delivered - set free from Evil (sin) and ONLY GOD can accomplish such deliverance. So allow me to paraphrase the Lord's Prayer here:
Our Father - (Abba, Daddy) in heaven, your Name is holy.
May you reign and may Your desires be carried out on earth just as you reign and your desires are carried out in heaven.
Today Lord, give all that we need.. (We ask for today, not for this week or this month or this year - simply today, let us have what we NEED)
Forgive us for every sin, just as we forgive those who offend, upset us, or do us an injustice.
Lead us Lord, because if You don't then we will land up being tempted.
Deliver us from our sin (as only You can.)
For You own everything and in complete charge - The Kingdom belongs to you. You have all the power. And ALL THE GLORY (all the credit for anything good) is Yours and will always be only yours.
This is my understanding - but I am open to different perspectives and would welcome discussion. Go ahead and email me.

I am with you

This week I would like to reflect on a statement. This statement was made in two separate contexts.

But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

And God said, "I am with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." (Exodus 3:11-12)

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 18-20)

When we are up against a scary situation, the fear is diminished if we know that we are not alone in that situation. Being alone can often magnify our fears and cause us in our own minds to exaggerate the danger. If we are worried about a given situation, it is often as we lie alone during the night, during those pre-dawn hours, that we tend to be most worried. Anticipating having to do something one self, for the first time, will inevitably result in some degree of nervousness. We would not be human if we were not nervous. This week, many children started school for the first time. I saw pictures of the little ones in the newspaper, some of them entering into this new world with some degree of trepidation. One little girl seemed to be saying to her mummy, "Please don't leave me."

It helps of course when the person accompanying us is bigger, wiser, stronger, or more experienced than we are. That's the kind of person we like to rely on and put our confidence in. The other quality that we value in a person who is with us in difficult situations is someone in whom we can trust, not only because we think they can cope, but also because we believe that they love us, and will do everything with our best interests at heart. As a teacher, my primary responsibility towards the children I teach is their safety. Any activity that I involve them with, I should consider how this will impact the safety of the children. That's what it means to be a responsible adult. In the United Kingdom recently the Secretary for Education was challenged that their were adults working in schools who could potentially pose a danger to the children. I watched the SKY NEWS coverage of the speech she made in parliament this week to deal with the matter. I have to say, I was frustrated and annoyed by the way the reporters were insinuating that the Secretary was "fighting to keep her job" etc., when, call me naïve, I'm sure her major concern was and is the safety of the children of Britain. Ah, but I digress.

My point is facing a new or difficult situation by ourselves is very daunting indeed, but we are reassured when we here someone say, "I will go with you."

Moses was given a job to do: to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He knew that this would not be a walk in the park. He was very aware of the impact of such an event and rightly surmised that he would receive opposition. He naturally felt overwhelmed by the task: hence his question: "Who am I?"

I've felt like Moses, sometimes. Seeing a need, and yet feeling completely inadequate to meet the need.

Now, Praise God, he is very gentle and tolerant with us. He could say to us, something like "Of you can do it - do you think I would ask you if you weren't able to?" He could, but He doesn't - Instead He reassures us "I am with you."

Moses had a mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt - but He in turn was lead by God.

Someone might say, it was Okay for Moses, after all he had a visible manifestation in the Cloud that went ahead of them by day and the Pillar of Fire at night. But though God's presence may not take on visible forms such as that, we do have the witness of the Holy Spirit who is in us (believers.) He being God assures us of His eternal presence.

God has a mission for us, and that is to reach out to a lost and dying world and share with them the "Words of Eternal life." A daunting task? Indeed, but he told us He would be with us ALWAYS. Knowing He is with me, I can take the next steps, I can speak to the stranger or that friend about my Friend, Jesus Christ. I can when I receive the command to go, pack my things and go to another country, trusting God to have the support I need to live and work there and tell others about Jesus.

As you step out today, don't forget, He is with you.

ONE 4 NINE

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise in the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
Let them praise His name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He adorns the humble with salvation.
Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats and
two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations and
punishments on the peoples,
to bind their kings with chains and
their nobles with fences of iron,
to execute on them the judgement written!
This is honour for all His godly ones.
Praise the Lord!

This evening I was privileged to join with my new Fellowship at an event they titled ONE 4 NINE. This is a reference to Psalm 149.

This is a Praising Psalm - All about expressing Praise to God with EVERYTHING WITHIN US. And the event this evening was about the same thing. We are blessed to be able to express our praise through the arts. YES - Express praise through the arts. There was an exhibition of paintings and drawings by members of the fellowship. There was photography. There were paintings done by children from the Sunday School. There were incredibly well drawn portraits. They also sang songs of praise and it was performed incredibly well to the glory of God. All the songs were written by members of the Praise Team - some especially for the event. They were really cool songs. There was one young lady who worshiped in dance. I was not sure if this was "on the programme" as it were, but it certainly was a beautiful act of praise. At one point, while she was dancing, a little toddler wanted to get in on the act. Instead of becoming annoyed by this "distraction" the young lady simply danced around the little one and at one point picked her up and incorporated the little one into her dance. It was good to see. It reminded me of the scripture "Suffer the little children to come unto me." Between the songs there were readings of poetry. Those poems were really powerful. Towards the end of the evening a lady got up and unceremoniously started to paint on a glass panel (that had been set up for the purpose.) We watched with interest as the picture of a person bowing down in worship emerged. At the end of the evening, they showed a short film, that again pointed to God's awesome Creativity.

Some people may feel uncomfortable about the use of "the arts" in the context of "Church".
I am talking off the top of my head here and so I would welcome discussion on these opinions. The traditional church is more comfortable with visual arts - such as paintings, statues, architecture, etc. More modern Churches tend to be more comfortable with dramatic arts - such as singing, dance, poetry, drama, etc. I know this is a generalisation, and as such is very dangerous. I acknowledge that the hymns that are sung in the more traditional church such as those written by Sir Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, etc. are in themselves art, though I would argue that they are not generally perceived as such by these people. Even the liturgies are a kind of dramatic art, though again, I would argue that most people don't think of them in those terms. If it is suggested that a dance be performed during a service, many Christians may be horrified at the thought, and say that such activities belong on the stage, not in Church. It's not that they would not readily go and watch a performance of an opera or a ballet in the theatre, just that, in their opinion, "It doesn't belong in Church." Is God any less present in the theatre than He is in the Church? If I can't watch, look at or listen to something in Church, should I be watching, looking at or listening to it anywhere else?

Do you agree with me that worship songs can be considered as art? Does art have only aesthetic value? I believe that a Christian artist can and should use his or her art for two primary purposes - firstly to glorify God with his or her gift, and secondly, draw people to Christ through art. Does that mean that artistic Christians (I believe that excludes nobody!) can only have Christian-themed art? i.e. An explicit reference to Christ or Christian teaching? I don't think so, but I look at the Scripture that says we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. Thus, if a Christian, writes a song that is not explicitly Christian, it does not mean that the person is "back-sliding" or "turning their back on the Faith." If a Christian artist, like Amy Grant, makes it big on the secular hit parades, with a song that is not explicitly Christian we should not shake our heads or despair, instead, let us give glory to God for her talent, and rejoice and praise God for her achievement.

My mother is an art teacher - that is she teaches people (both young and old) how to draw and paint. This is an example of how we tend to have a very limited concept of art - we immediately associate the word "art" with painting and drawing. My mother is an art teacher, but she is not a singer (My mother reads this and she would agree with this.) She uses water-colours and other media very well to give glory to God. When she teaches she aims to inspire the students to glorify the Lord in their art. She also likes to write poetry, and in there again, she writes it to the glory of God.

My particular art, I am starting to realise, is the ability to write prose, and I have tried my hand at writing short stories for children, and little plays. I haven't published them, but I believe I will at some point. The stories are not all "Christian" in the sense that they explicitly teach about Christianity, but they do have a "moral." - as we used to call them - the stories are intended to teach positive values such as acceptance, honesty, etc. as well as helping children protect themselves against abuse.

Pushing the envelope a bit more - a few forms of art that don't quickly spring to mind: mime artists, magicians / conjurers, clowns, circus performers of various types, rap/reggae singers, break dancers, public speakers, puppeteers, fabric designers, seamstresses and tailors and many more.

Don't say: "I'm not artistic, or creative". I believe God has put a creative spirit in each of us.

• Dear Friends,
  
  After many weeks I have finally got down to writing a short submission for my blog page.
  
  Last time I wrote it was last year! I was living and working in a different country and I was preparing to leave.
  
  Well now I am am living in South Africa, and hoping that Home Affairs Department will let me stay.
  
  It was not easy saying good-bye to the land of my birth and place of abode for 36 years, and saying good-bye to my church family in Harare, but I do believe it is the right thing at this moment, and that through this experience I am going to grow.
  
  What are my New Year's Resolutions?
  
• To grow in Christ and become a better witness for Him!
• To succeed in my University studies - improving on last year's performance.
• To become a better educator.
• To become better organised (THIS IS A REAL CHALLENGE!!)
• To maintain a regular healthy exercise regime, specifically by going for either a cycle ride, or a run every day. (I have slipped up a couple of times on this one, but I will not give up on it yet.)

I have read and heard that Goals (resolutions) should be realistic and measurable. Do my resolutions measure up to this standard: Let me analyse them.

To grow in Christ and become a better witness for Him. If I have improved in the area of personal devotions (THere is need for improvement) and I can easily talk about Christ to friends and colleagues and family, I will consider myself to have succeeded in this regard.

To succeed in my university studies - improving on last year's performance. Last year I studied 12 university modules (I am doing my degree by correspondence). I passed 8 modules. One I failed and three I have to write Supplementary exams over the next ten days. I got an average of 52% for the modules. This year I have registered for 9 modules. My aim is to get a passing grade in every module this year.

To become a better educator - At this time I am unemployed but I am hoping to be able to get temporary teaching jobs during the year (locums) both to keep myself in pocket money but more importantly to put into practice, the theory that I am learning through my studies. I am aware of my strengths and my weaknesses. I intend to work intently at those areas of weakness and improve markedly. If my employers are satisfied with my performance in these aspects, I will consider myself to have succeeded in this regard.

To become more organised - This is an area where I am excedingly challenged. However, I do believe that in order to give glory to God I need to take myself in hand in this aspect of life and determine to BECOME organised. To this end, I resolve to:

1. keep my living space tidy and orderly, putting things where they belong, and returning everything to its place when I have finished using it.
2. Set up a daily and weekly schedule of activities that will allow time for my personal devotions, my studies, my exercise, and my leisure activities.
3. Ensure that I keep to the schedule.
   

To maintain a regular healthy exercise regime. While I was in Harare, I had started on this simply by riding 6 km. to work and 6 km. home each day, and on accasions riding much further distances, since I had no car. Now that i am not riding to work each day, I am determined to ensure that I don't become lazy and put on the kilos, so I will endeavour to run or ride every day, each day extending myself a bit more.

Statistics say that 90% (or thereabouts) of new year resolutions are broken before the end of January. I however determine to be a part of that minority, and with God's help I will be. Dr. Phil said that in order for one to break bad habits one needs to replace them with good habits. If I look over the five resolutions that I have just set out, I can see situations which constitute "bad habits" in my life that these resolutions will help me eliminate.

Well, so much for my resolutions.

All that remains for me to say is I wish all my readers, a Happy and God-blessed 2006.

John Blog.