Emmanuel

Christmas reminds us that God has spoken in a fuller way. A lasting way. A clearer way. 

It’s been so long since I’ve posted, my last blog will soon be nearly two years old! I’d like to be able to say I’ve been off on some adventures around the world (my last post was before I went to Angola for six weeks, so I guess that’s something), but life is currently the ordinary, necessary routine of life. The busy period of Carol Service invite distribution, teens practicing their lines (including pronouncing words which they’d never use in normal life), and Christmas parties. All while attempting to do my day job. Christmas cards have been written to relatives and friends who you never speak to all year round and presents bought for people who already have everything they need. But why? When we stop and think about how busy life is, why do we bother? Here’s a short post for now, I’ll try and write a little more in the New Year... should anyone want to read them ha ha. 

Among all of the decorations, gifts and carols, there is one constant theme each Christmas time. God has spoken.
He’s done so before down the years through many prophets, priests and kings, telling us what He wants us to know. Christmas though reminds us that He’s spoken in a fuller way. A lasting way. A clearer way. (John 14:9)

After the angel Gabriel spoke to Joseph, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah, saying “The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel,” but adds “which means “God is with us.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭


No longer do we need to know how God feels about us. We never have to wonder if God cares, “God is with us”. The eternal, sinless, creator God has come to where we are. He came to tell us about the Father who loved us enough to send Him to us (John 3:16). Who sent his only son to become the saviour of anyone who trusts in Him (1 John 4:14). 

We don’t need to wonder anymore if we can live a life ourselves that pleases God. The very fact that Jesus humbled himself to come means that we can be sure sin is a problem. A serious problem. It separates us from our creator, and removes the possibility of a relationship with God which He desires. We know He can’t be pleased with the choices we make, so we just cut Him out of our lives; pretend He’s not there. But He is there. In fact shown us He’s here, “God is with us”. 

God didn’t want us to miss the fact that His son had arrived. Between the virgin birth, the mysterious star, the only baby wrapped in rags and sleeping in a manger in Bethlehem, He would make it clear. The most unique entrance into humanity was reserved for Jesus. John describes it by saying “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)  Even Mary’s cousin Elizabeth experienced a miraculous birth, in order for God to have a messenger ready to proclaim the arrival of “the light of the world”! 

Finally, we know that because He came, His promises are reliable, and He will be coming again. To take everyone who has trusted in him for the forgiveness of their sins to be in Heaven with him. So as we get caught up with the festivities, remember the significance of the first Christmas, “God is with us”.

If I don’t see you before, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 
* please feel free to leave comments/ thoughts/ suggestions 

In Him
Dan 

Are you prepared?

Hi Everyone. A post from a few years back...

"Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live."

What would you do if you were informed that you didn't have long left to live? Would you give up your job or leave college? Perhaps you would make an effort to visit family and friends that you hadn't seen for a while. I think I’d want to travel a bit more to see some of the places i’ve never managed to visit. Lots of people are starting to make ‘Bucket lists’ of things they want to do before they die, so maybe we’d try to complete that.

“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’ Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly." (2 Kings 20:1-3)

King Hezekiah was informed that his current illness would ultimately be his last. He was going to die. He was given prior warning to “Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live”.

Firstly, if you aren't a Christian, how would receiving this news make you feel? Would it make you think about life after death? Would you consider the existence of God more? Amos exclaimed “Prepare to meet your God!”. The bible clearly states that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1), and goes on to tell us that He ultimately made all good things. If this is true, while your parents ‘made’ you, ultimately the source of all life and existence comes from God, including YOU! This world has become hostile, rebellious and disobedient towards God, and many people have publicly claimed their lack of faith in Him. However, I’ve heard of atheists who have been fearful of death. Scared to pass into the next life. Unsure of the unknown. Their once strong belief that death is the end is often wavering when that death is looming close. That is because I believe, it is human nature to seek a higher power. We can try to fill that longing with family, friends, fun, employment and pleasures, but they can never provide lasting happiness. They need to be repeated, replaced or increased.

When Jesus (God’s son) was here on earth, he boldly claimed that “I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to my Father except through me” (John 14:6). People can’t live their lives as they please and then expect to go to Heaven. God’s holiness could never allow it. He will judge and punish every person who dies without trusting in His son. Not because He is bad, but because He is Just! 

Any judge must punish the guilty and free the innocent. No one is 100% innocent in their life. No one can claim to have lived perfectly, and if we’re all guilty of at least failing God once in our lives, none of us could ever be good enough for heaven. We can’t rely on our good works and effort, as none of them give us any right standing in God’s eyes.

 “Prepare to meet your God!”

Here’s where Jesus comes in: God loves you. He tells us many times in the bible how He acts out of love for people, despite knowing that most will never reciprocate that love. In John, we read the most (probably) famous bible verse in the world, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only much loved Son, that whoever believes in Him will never perish, but will have everlasting life” (John 3:16). If sin keeps us out of heaven, then removing that sin would allow us in? That’s what Jesus was saying: “I am the Way”; Not ‘A’ way, or the ‘best’ way, but ‘THE’ way! God, outside of Jerusalem, 2000 years ago punished His own son in a once and for all sacrifice for sin. This doesn't make everyone instantly innocent, but does mean that God will forgive anyone’s sin that trusts in Jesus. The moment we finally realise our guilt before God and confess it to Him (you aren't telling Him anything He doesn't already know), and believe that God punished Jesus for your sin, God removes the debt our sin has built up. Forever! 

Jesus made it possible for anyone to be saved, but only those who believe on him WILL be saved. 

Imagine if I left a large bag of money in London and promised it was for anyone to use to pay their household bills. The money is already there because I’ve done my part and paid, but you only get the benefit when you believe my promise and go and take the money. God has promised to save from eternal punishment because of their sin ANYONE who believes that Jesus is His son, and His death, burial and resurrection made it possible. 


If you found out you were to die soon, would you be prepared?

I haven’t got time to tell you the proofs of Jesus’ existence by secular archaeology and history etc (perhaps a blog post soon on this), but I believe wholeheartedly the bible when it tells us “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31). My next post will God willing look at how a Christian would respond to the same revelation that their death is imminent. 

I hope someone finds this helpful.

In His Name

Dan

Things to remember

Yesterday I received an unexpected phone call. 

I had made a big mistake. 

My new saxophone teacher (Who I’d only met once) called to say he was sat in his lounge expecting me, and I was late. I had completely forgotten I’d booked the lesson, and as a result had made alternate plans. It can be very easy, when life gets busy, to forget plans and arrangements we've made. No matter how hard I try to be organised, and how often I write it down, make lists and set reminders I usually end up failing to remember what I need to do. Here’s a look at the idea of Remembering in the bible. 



“I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Gen 9:15

The first thing to point out is that God never forgets. Being forgetful is a weakness and a fault, but God is absolutely perfect, and without any flaws. He never forgets. So when God promises to remember His covenant, we know it will always be kept. God will never judge this world by a flood again. He will one day judge all sin, but it won’t be by flooding the earth. In the Old Testament it's recorded that "God remembered...." certain people. Sometimes, they were in the middle of very difficult circumstances. God remembered Noah in the ark, Rachel when she was barren, Abraham (and Isaac and Jacob) when he was wondering without a permanent home, Joseph when he was in prison and so on. We are always in the sight of God, and no matter what the trial or difficulty, God will not forget us.



“Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.” Ex 13:3

This is a challenging verse. Moses told the Children of Israel to remember the day when they left Egypt, when they were delivered out of the bondage that they’d been under. What about me? Or you? Can you look back to a day in your life when you left the world behind, and came out of the slavery of sin? A day when God saved us out of our life of ruin, rebellion and rejection of Jesus Christ? I'm very thankful that I can. It’s a good thing to be able to think back to that day (even though I don’t know the time or date), and remember I trusted the Lord Jesus as my saviour, and from that very minute I was free! It’s also important to remember that God alone did the saving. The moving from darkness to light. Remember.....“Salvation is of the Lord”.



“You shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” Deut 8:2

Another good thing to remember is that just like the Children of Israel in the wilderness, we have God (in particular His Holy Spirit) to guide us through life. This, according to the bible should be a humbling thing. If God is leading, we shouldn't be seeking our own way, but faithfully following. The period of trials and testing along the way is to see how much we trust God, and how much of our lives we're prepared to submit to Him. Have you ever driven through thick fog? The car headlights against the fog mean that you usually can only see just a few feet ahead of you. God doesn't show us the whole of our life, but little by little reveals the turn in the road of life. We've got to faithfully follow His leading to travel the safest way, and use His word to lighten our pathway. (Psalm 119:



“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;” Ecc 12:1

Each week (during term time), our church has a wonderful privilege of preaching the gospel to children from the local area. I find this one of the most rewarding and beneficial works we can be involved in. Children aren't as skeptical as adults, they find it easier to have faith, and are more willing to listen to the truth of God and His creation. It’s important then that children know about God, and if He chooses, that they come to trust in Him and His Son. Sadly many children, who don’t trust in the Lord in their youth grow up ignoring all of the things they've heard. Choosing to forget God, rather than to remember their Creator. Its also good for us to remember Him when we are young, and to establish good practices for living for Him before careers, relationships and interests get too firm a grip.



“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jer 31:34

When a person becomes a Christian, God forgives them of all of their sin. He removes the condemnation and wrath that was upon them. He could still remember all of their sin though, all of their times of failure and disobedience. However, God doesn't forget our sin (a negative), he chooses to remember our sins no more (positive)! So often when people wrong us, we forgive but choose not to forget. I for one am pleased that God has decided to forgive, and to not remember.



“And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matt 26:75

There are times when I've sinned, and afterwards a verse comes to mind and reminds me that I've just broken God’s law. While we can’t change it, and it will occur many times in our lives, we like Peter should instantly repent of it. To acknowledge sin when we remember it is a starting point to dealing with it.



“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” 1 Cor 11: 23-26

Finally, one of the greatest things we can do for our Saviour is to remember Him as He has asked. He told us that by breaking the bread, and drinking the wine from the cup, we show to the world what the Lord Jesus has done. He gave Himself to die for sin, His own precious blood was shed, and His body wasn’t only punished physically, but was made sin in order to be punished for sin. 

There are lots of memorials, gravestones and statues to remember those who have died, but none for the Lord Jesus. That's because He rose again the 3rd day, and is now in Heaven. It’s a Christian’s great privilege to meet with the Lord present each week (or however often it is your church chooses to meet), and then to constantly be reminded of the vast cost that He paid to save us out of the bondage of sin. That truly is something worth REMEMBERING!



Once again, this subject has only been glanced at, and I'm sure you can add to it. Such verses like “Remember Lot’s wife” (as she looked back to Sodom), and of how God will “remember their iniquities” (people who reject the Lord Jesus) etc. There are over 200 mentions of remembering, remember and remembrance in the bible, and you wouldn't want to read a blog that mentioned them all. Ha ha. I hope this post helps you to remember some of the blessings we have, the things to give thanks for, and the God who has done it all!



Yours in Him

Dan

P.S. the photo below is a memorial to the thousands of people who lost their lives at the destruction of the twin towers in New York on 11th September 2001. 

Snow

Those who know me will tell you that I love snow. Whether watching it fall, walking in it, or talking about it,, its my favourite weather.....but sadly no longer building with it (Apparently I’m to be mature these days). Seeing the snow that has fallen over the last few days, and hearing all about the vast amounts we expect (and I’m hoping for) tomorrow, has made me think about well known mentions of snow. 

Snow in the bible usually speaks of purity. God more often than not uses ordinary, everyday objects to describe heavenly truths. For example, the bread and wine were used to speak of His body and blood, or the vine and branches to speak of a Christian's relationship to Jesus. Why has He chosen to do this? Well, how could my poor, simple, finite mind possibly understand the perfect things of God and heaven? Obviously it can’t. So God allows me to grasp something about Himself through the things I know and can comprehend. In Dan 7:9, God reveals Himself in the following way: “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;” 
Using our own knowledge of how white snow is (Probably the whitest thing we can imagine), we can grasp just how perfectly white and pure God’s robes were. We then understand that the God we want to know, and our saviour we have trusted in, are clothed with absolute perfection. If God was anything other than perfect, He wouldn't be God! The idea of perfection described by snow is also seen in Matt 28:3 (Speaks of an angel), Mark 9:3 (Jesus on the mount of transfiguration) and Rev 1:14 (the vision of the Son of Man). 
When I wake up in the morning and see a covering of snow, it makes the whole place look perfect. There could be mud, rubbish, waste or any other unpleasant sight there normally, but when snow has fallen and covered it, it makes it all look pure. God knows our faults. He is well aware of our sinful, shame filled lives. And yet He sends out the initiation “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) What a promise God makes to such undeserving people! Despite the fact God sees our sins, He is willing to remove them and make us perfect in His sight. He will never force us to be made clean, never force His salvation upon us. But by His grace, and because of His love, He offers. Have you confidence that when God sees you, he sees you as “White as snow”? I have. But I only have it because of my once, for all time decision to trust the Lord Jesus Christ, and to repent (have a change of heart and direction) of the sinful life I was living. I am not perfect, but praise God that when He looks at me, He no longer sees my sin, but sees me in Christ Jesus!

Those of us who have become Christians know that just because we are forgiven by God, we don’t have the ability to live without faults and failings. We all continue to sin. Even from the moment we are saved, we get distracted, tempted, dragged away and turned from living as God would want. King David, who was once described as “A man after God’s own heart”, sinned. He committed adultery when he slept with another man’s wife, and then to cover his sin, he organised a situation for her husband to be slain in battle. (The whole story is found in 2 Sam 11) King David eventually had his sinful acts revealed to him. Not that he didn't know what he’d done, but God eventually showed David that HE knew, that He’d seen it all take place. David, in a very personal prayer to God (Psalm 51) prays “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” 

David knew that any sin in his life would affect his relationship with God. He knew that only God could forgive him and correct the situation. God, knowing our continued failure has said through John “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

Have I sinned today? Has it made my relationship with God awkward, knowing that I've done it in His sight? God graciously promises (and He cant lie remember!), that if I choose to confess my sin to Him, he’ll renew our relationship, and bring me back into His blessings. An old preacher used to encourage us to “Keep short accounts with God”. To not let sin settle in our lives, and affect our walk with the Lord Jesus. So when the snow falls this week, remember that God can, and maybe has already made your sins as white as snow in His sight. To be seen as perfect and pure, because His own son died to pay the price for our sin, is a wonderful thing. One which we should treasure.

Yours in Him

Dan

You can now follow and share this post/ blog much easier with the options down the right hand side of this page. God bless.

STARGAZING

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."

Have you ever been in the countryside and looked up to see a clear sky? Then tried counting the stars? Its impossible isn't it! (I have, but I've too much time on my hands! Haha)

Of all of God's creation, I must admit, I like the stars. I know that mankind is meant to be its crowning glory, and the animals, birds and fish are diverse in their types and colours. But the stars just seem to be God displaying His splendour!

Genesis records that on day 4 "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." (Genesis 1:16). 

He made the stars also? Almost as though the author remembered them at the last minute. A throw away statement. The stars? Oh yeah, He made them as well. God, through Jesus Christ made all things, and He put each one in its specific place. The stars have been used throughout history to direct ships and travellers, and have indeed been for signs and seasons.

"And unless you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven." (Deuteronomy 4:19) 

You don't have to be rich or poor to appreciate the stars. No matter where in the world you are, simply looking up allows you to see some part of the universe. Even more incredible than that, is that the view constantly changes. Different stars and constellations can be seen throughout the year. The people of old worshiped the sun, moon and stars as they realised how powerful and awe inspiring they are. So much on this earth can be reached & experienced, but only a few astronauts have ever been among the stars. I'd love to have been one of them. We don't worship the stars, or the sun, we worship the one who "spoke and the worlds were formed"

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? (Psalms 8:3, 4) 
What an important question to ask ourselves. Considering God is so powerful, so vast & beyond our understanding....... Why does He have an interest in us? Why did He send His son into the world to live among, and die for, sinful humanity? Because at the root of it all, "God is Love". He created mankind to be in a relationship with Him, but we chose not to enjoy it. How many days in a week do I live to please the God of Heaven? How much time do I spend on knowing His word, and in turn Him through it? Surely not enough! 

"He tells the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names." (Psalms 147:4) 

This is my favourite reference to stars in the bible. Not only did Jesus make the stars, He knows them all and not one of them is hidden from Him. The fact He's named them all shows a personal knowledge of them as individuals. If you're a Christian, God knows where you are, who you are, what you need and what your hearts desire is. He knows you better than you know yourself! We can certainly take comfort from that!! 

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (Matthew 2:10) 

Finally, the greatest star to be seen in the sky throughout history; the one which pointed the way to where the babe was in the manger. In that baby, was and is the salvation that this world needs. The star guided the wise men to the place where they "worshiped Him". We too can worship the one who put the stars in the sky, knows them by name, and then came to earth to save us. That man is Jesus Christ! And we can appreciate Him by STARGAZING. 

Hope you're all having a great day. If you're finding these blogs helpful, please share them with your friends on facebook, twitter or google+. You can now follow this blog on facebook, on www.facbook.com/ODCAO

Yours in Him.  

Dan

SinLESS

How uncomfortable does guilt make us feel? Imagine being the very first person to feel it?

"Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" (Gen 3:13 ESV)

If you've started the year following a daily reading plan of some sort, I'm sure you've already come across the creation account in genesis, and the fall of Mankind into sin. Imagine what was going through Eve's mind as God said these words - "What have you done?" (paraphrased). She was experiencing guilt for the first time. Feelings of shame that were unusual to her. She stood with her husband, both newly aware they were naked, before God. Adam and Eve had broken the one command God had given them. Eve had allowed the devil to deceive her and both of them had allowed the forbidden fruit to become something worth having over obeying God.

That happens in my life all too often. Things that my mind tells me aren't too bad, or won't have any long term repercussions. Things I can do, or think that no one will know. That's not to say I haven't heard and read about God's omnipresence; but in that moment, I live as though He doesn't exist! That he can't see.

Once it's too late and the moments past forever, never to be changed, the feelings of guilt suddenly come. The conscience is pricked, and we feel naked before the Almighty God. Imagine if every time we sinned, we heard the voice of God say "what is this you have done"? Would it make us stop to think the next time? To consider where I go, what I do, or what I allow my mind to dwell on?

In 2014, I know I will never achieve "sinlessness" or perfection. Only Jesus Christ was and could be Sinless, but I should certainly aim to "Sin LESS". We should hate sin when we do it and always try to stop. Eve's actions would have a destructive effect on humanity forever, but "where sin abounds, Grace does much more abound" (Romans 5:20 KJV). God has been far more gracious toward us than we could have ever deserved. He has chosen to see us as having the "Righteousness of Christ", instead of the sins of ourselves.

When we do sin, it's encouraging to know that "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:2 KJV)

Let's try to be "Sin-LESS" today!

Just a few simple questions to ask ourselves:
1. Do I allow other people to have a negative effect on my life, even to the point of breaking God's commands?
2. Do I keep short accounts with God when I sin?
3. Since I've become a Christian, do I recognise sin in my life more easily?