Building Work

“God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.”

As a church we’ve just started a course called “Discipleship Explored”. So far (Just had the second week out of eight) it has been extremely challenging. Reading the words of Paul to the Christians in Philippi who were suffering persecution, we noted how it’d be easy for him to be wallowing in self pity and self lothing. Yet he isn’t. He is more concerned about their welfare, their spiritual condition. Despite his chains, Paul is an enthusiastic, determined man, grounded in his own appreciation of God’s love and plans for his life. He was at peace that where he was, he was meant to be. Being able to pray with Joy from a prison cell while chained to a couple of Roman  soldiers isn’t the norm!

His great prayer for them was that their love would grow, and in turn their knowledge. This would ultimately allow them to be able to know right from wrong and make the decision that would glorify God. The verse above has been on my mind ever since, and I’m hoping it’s as encouraging for you as I’ve found it to be. The reminder that “God began doing a good work”. Not my own efforts, lest I should slacken off or give up if it got difficult. Also, God is doing a work in me which is unlike anyone else, and likewise the work he’s doing in you if you’re a Christian (Are you prepared?) is unique to you. God isn’t making robots which are all the same shape, size and with identical gifts and abilities. He’s making a family, a “Body” or a “Building”, with lots of unique parts that make up one harmonious object, all coming together to bring glory to God.

I’m guessing you’ve failed God since you were saved? Yeah, surprisingly me too! Not just a few times either, many occasions when sin prevailed and holiness lost. Did you notice that God “will continue it until it is finished”, or “perfect” as some bibles phrase it. God keeps building and building, allowing for the leaks, problems, stalling and back tracking that sin brings to our growth, knowing that ultimately one day the project will finally be finished, and at that moment, at God’s perfect time, we will be made complete in the image of Christ.

We’re all at different stages of the developments too, some are just at the foundation stage, newly saved and freely relying on our Rock. Some perhaps are further on down the line,  with many years of Christian living behind them meaning the building is nearing completion. Paul had reached that stage. Week two’s verse was “To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me.”(Phil 1:21) He was ready to go, with nothing earthly to tie him, and his love for Christ to drive him.

Spiritually I feel that the building work has been delayed in my life recently, maybe even stopped. Hopefully this course will be a big help in once again creating the right conditions for work, and soon God can again continue building. How is the building work going for you? What’s stopping the work of God in your life? I’d love to know your thoughts or any comments you have, especially other verses perhaps which come to mind? Also, if you find this blog helpful, please feel free to Like, Share, and Retweet it. But especially to share your thoughts.

In Him

Dan

Matty Vasey

"To God be the Glory great things he has done"


Hi Everyone, so sorry that I haven't been posting regularly of late, life has been busy, and my writing waned somewhat, but I hope to try and post a bit more frequently in the new year.

Some of you may have seen on my facebook page that on 29th November, "Uncle Matty", a dear brother in the meeting where I go (Bethesda Gospel Hall) was called home to be with the Lord Jesus. The photo above was taken at his 100th birthday party last year. While clearing his flat, his daughter found a copy of his life story and also his Christian testimony. She very kindly asked that it be shared, so a few hundred printed copies were made and handed out at his funeral. Below is a copy of his testimony and his life growing up in Newcastle, England. This whole post is dedicated to him, one of the most gentle, kind and loving people you could wish to meet, and his packed out funeral was testament to the high regard in which he was held. Over to Matty for his life story......

"This is my Testimony of how I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ

Little Matty Vasey was born on 13 Nov 1913 at a place called Byker in Newcastle. I was born of working class parents. Sadly my mother died when I was 5 years old. She died of the deadly Spanish flu which was raging through Europe at the time. In 1918 more folk died of the epidemic than the number of soldiers killed in the First World War. My brother and I were then under the care of granny, my fathers mother.

After a short while father married again and a stepmother was installed in our home, causing much hostility between gran, father and stepmother. My father was very bad tempered and the name of Christ was only used as a swear word, vows and bad language were flavour of the month. However, one ray of sunshine came out of the mist, as she insisted we should go to Sunday School and as she was of Presbyterian stock I started to attend Byker Presbyterian Church on Gordon Road off Raby Street, which was the backbone of Byker. Talking of Byker, I watched the scene of Parishes being burned down from Byker village about 2 miles away. The fireman wore brass helmets. I attended Sunday School and Church for some years but was never challenged to the lostness of my soul, I was just going through the motions. It was more of a sociability exercise than a spiritual one. They held concerts on Saturday nights and you could also play billiards, one young lady said; Matty there’s plenty of young girls here you know.

Our home life began to deteriorate with no parental control and without any love or care. My stepmother received 3 shillings per week for her and 4 boys, she had twin boys by my father. The front room was let out for 6 shillings a week. Incidentally father died with heart failure when I was 13 and after a while my stepmother married again, and he died after about 9 months of marriage so the future was bleak and uncertain.

The years rolled by and I started to work in a furniture factory. At the commencement of one job, my work mates suggested I should accompany them on a Saturday night to Gosforth Dog Track, which I found very exciting. There’s an old saying it only takes one step to take a journey of 1000 miles so I made my debut on a downward spiral. I started to bet on horses as well. I saw the Epsom Derby and the Greyhound Derby at the White City in London. I travelled a lot to racecourses all over the country, and yet at times I used to ask myself whist attending the dogs “what on earth am I doing here wasting my life and my money.” I was in fact ‘Going to the Dogs’.

The Second Great War came and I couldn’t enlist as I was only classed C3. My stepmother died and the twins both joined up and I found myself in digs with a work mate and his wife and daughter. I lived with Jock and Mrs. Mac for about 13 years.

Leaving this sordid background behind let us go on to Higher things.

In 1955 I was feeling the urge for something I couldn’t put into words, I took my first step in my search for something to lift me up, by going to the local library to look for something relating to the cross of Christ, as it was Easter time. Also, I felt the urge to go to some Church or Mission hall, and at odd times I would go to the Big Market where men preached the Gospel to a very large open air audience. Sometimes a young church group would take turns in reciting Bible verses and I used to gaze intently into their faces wondering what made them tick. I thought they were quite strange folk.

I started to go to Prudhoe Street Mission when it was situated in the town, and the Bainbridge Memorial Church on Heaton Road, 20 minutes from where I lived in Warwick Street. Whilst attending there I heard Joe Blinko, an associate preacher with Billy Graham, and I also heard Pastor Nic Moller, a German who was the only man to challenge Adolf Hitler about his evil ways, and how wrong he was.

I was beginning to show interest in the things of God, but I was still throwing good money after bad at the dogs. Observantly whist waiting at the bus stop one day, my eyes fell upon a short poster stuck on the lamp standard which was at the bus stop and it read. ‘We believe in Christ crucified, risen, and coming again’ I thought that was amazing. I found later that the poster belonged to Bethel Christian Fellowship, which was right opposite the lamp post in Barras Bridge.

From the preaching that I had listened to I had learned I was a sinner and that I had need of a Saviour.

I had listened to many preachers, but this particular Sunday morning I heard the Truth concerning Eternal Salvation, that morning I gratefully received the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart and I had a profound peace, knowing that my sins were forgiven, to be remembered no more. For the scripture says in the first chapter of the gospel of John ‘For as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe in his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God’  I believe that no one else had a hand in this wonderful transaction, but it was between the almighty and myself. Shortly afterwards, I found fellowship with a lovely group of people called Bethel Christian Fellowship, (remember the poster) that met in an upper room at the top of some stairs in Barras Bridge for about ten years. There was a brother in their meeting called Jack Roy who preached in the open air. One day someone shouted out to Jack ‘Hi you’ve cracked man’ and Jack responded with ‘Well you’ve got to be cracked to let the light in’. About ten years later I became a member of Somervyl Chapel on Benton Estate.

I always thought of myself as a confirmed bachelor, but in 1958 when I was 44 years old, I met a Christian girl called Lily (34) and we were married at the Central Hall in the West End of Newcastle. We started off our married life with a home up Stanhope Street, and we had a son and a daughter, Kathleen and John. Sadly my wife passed away in 1997 with Alzheimer’s disease.

I am now worshipping at Bethesda Gospel Hall in Forest Hall and I love the Lord and I Love the Lords people. ‘To God be the Glory great things he has done.’"

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dan x

Hidden Years

Hi Everyone,

It’s been 81 days since my last post, and that seems too long. Perhaps some of you might think that it isn't long enough? Ha. I’m so grateful to everyone who has continued to read the various posts and leave comments on them, shared them with friends and generally just being an encouragement to me. It's been a busy few months for one reason or another, but hopefully it'll be a bit quieter for a while. Here's hoping. There have been a few times recently when I've felt burdened to write about a particular topic, only for it to disappear from memory the moment I've sat down to write it.

Why are so many of the year's of Jesus' life hidden from our view?

One thing I have thought a lot about recently is the hidden years of Jesus’ life. After a unique birth through the virgin Mary, and suffering the rejection of not only his own people, but his own Creation, we read that “The child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him”. (Luke 2:40) Imagine what type of Child Jesus would have been? Perfect, honest, friendly, caring, loving, gentle, wise and purposeful. In contrast to his siblings, he was so very different! Each of them needed discipline, correcting, told off, grounded; but Jesus did no sin. There was no arguing, fighting, hating, lying, cheating, stealing, swearing with him. How could his brothers not notice he was so different? Why wouldn’t they believe on Him?

He already knew that in 21 years time he’d be nailed to a cross outside of this very city!

But after 12 quiet years, he suddenly appears back on the pages of scripture. He’s at the place where he always is that time of year; in Jerusalem, at the feast. On this occasion though, it would be different. This time, He wouldn't be with the travelling party as they returned home, he’d stay behind with the teachers of the law. His worried parents found him after 3 days and queried “Why have you dealt with us in this way? Behold, I and your father have sought you sorrowing” (Luke 2:48). Jesus however corrects their view of him, “Do you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”. This wasn't Joseph’s carpentry shop, but the work of His only father; God. His desire, even as a child, was to please God. He already knew that in 21 years time he’d be nailed to a cross outside of this very city. He’d bear the sin of the world to reconcile it to God. He’d offer himself a ransom for many. It’s no great surprise that Mary “Kept all these things in her heart” (v51). The next time we hear Mary speak, she’ll say “Whatever he tells you to do, do it!” (John 2:5). She had noticed he was different, and even the impossible was possible for him!

Finally, Luke writes “He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject onto them:”. How amazing to think that the eternal Son of God, the creator of all things, was subject to human parents. He went to a place which was noted as being extremely sinful, yet for 30 years he managed to remain untarnished, and unblemished by sin there. He walked a perfect walk, and lived a perfect life and “Increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (v52). Jesus learnt, and increased in wisdom. I would suggest to you that the subjection he showed to his parents helped him to be subject to the soldiers and captors later on. When they whipped, scourged, beat, spat and crucified him, he'd be quiet (Suffering Saviour). He would learn how to remain silent before mans accusations. How to be Just among the unjust, Perfect among imperfection, and Truth itself among falsehood.

"He has done all things well"

30 hidden years can be summed up with one heavenly declaration – “You are my beloved Son, In You I am well pleased!” (Luke 3:22). All that he was, and had done, and said, was perfect to God. I’d love to know more, and to hear more, but God in His wisdom has hidden it from view. All we know is that “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37)

Have you any thoughts about the hidden years? Please share them in the comments below....

Trust you’re all well

In His name

Dan

The Son

The following blog is not one of my creating. It is a fairly well known story that I have heard many times in my life. Whether or not it is true isn't known, but certainly the moral behind the story is one that stands the test of time. For your encouragement and conviction, I present to you "The Son".

The man who took the son gets everything!

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Monet, Van Gogh to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam war broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later and there was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. 

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence........ Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice angrily "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts.. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting?" Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?". "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!" A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!" 

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross of Calvary. God offered His perfect, sinless son Jesus to be a substitute for ungodly, sinful mankind. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?" You see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. No money is required. No great acts of kindness or bravery. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved". God, through Jesus is able to remove a persons sins, offer them a home in Heaven and make them right with Him forever. There is no other way, only believe!

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only beloved son, that whoever believes in Him will never perish but have everlasting life” - John 3:16.

Now that’s real love. - Dan Bilton

Some points to comment on:

1) Do you know Jesus as your own personal Saviour?

2) If not, why wouldn't you want to believe in the man who died, was buried and rose again to make you right with God?

3) If you have, do you live in a way which displays that "I have the son, so I have everything I need?

Sowing

“He, who goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall without doubt return with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him”

What a difference a week can make. 

This time last weekend I was sat at my desk when a very, very simple idea came to mind. I remembered that a year or two back, we had a “Post a bible verse day”, where lots of Christians posted a verse that was a help and encouragement to them. Also, I had been privileged to help out at a "Seed sowers weekend" where they distribute packs with posters of Romans 5:8 to as many houses in an area as possible.

Hmm. What if then, my Christian friends on facebook all posted the same bible verse on the same day? If any of us had any mutual friends, it would really make them think, and force them into considering just what it was that was happening. What if for one day, instead of the usual jokes, pointless chat and complaining on facebook, God’s word was seen. Not just any verse; a verse of love, hope, grace and mercy......John ch 3 v 16. This verse is one of the most quoted, well known, and influential verses in the bible.

The date was set. 48 hours later, in time for the daily commute on Monday morning (8-10am) the verse was to be put up in picture or word form and left for the day. How many friends would get involved? 100? Possibly 200? If all of them, that would be over 400. By Monday morning, at 7.30, there were 11,000 people who had committed to do it (At this point 120,000+ people had been invited aswell, so the actual numbers will never be known). In 40+ countries around the world, in many different languages, the verse would be posted and read. That is unbelievable! Every hour of the day for at least 24 hours, somewhere in the world, someone was posting. Starting in New Zealand, and 24 hours later ending in Chile, the world saw the Love of God in the sacrifice for sin of Jesus Christ. The power of the internet to make something happen so soon, and to so many, so many miles apart is amazing! 

Since Monday I have heard of one girl trusting in the Lord, lots of unsaved people starting conversations about the faith of their friends, and the reason why seemingly “unconnected” people were posting the same thing on the same day. Many Christians have been encouraged to share their faith which perhaps they had struggled to before, and several Christians who had drifted, seemingly coming back to their saviour.

Some people however don’t think this is the best use of facebook. That there are better ways of spreading the word of God. That is their opinion, and I respect them for it, but here is why I thought it would work. On Wednesday, I listened to the Lord’s parable of The Sower in Mark 8, and I noticed the following things.

1) The seed is the “Word of God”. It is therefore powerful to achieve its aims. (Isaiah 55:11)

2) The sower casts his seed widely. He doesn’t seek the best ground, or most fertile. He simply casts.

3) The seed is always the same. It doesn’t change depending upon the soil.

4) The sower doesn’t water the seed; neither does he have any influence on the growth of the seed.

5) Some seed will naturally fall on hard ground. (wayside) Here it will be trodden on, and eaten away by the birds of the air (Devil), who is literally taking “the word out of their hearts”.

6) Some will fall on rock or hard ground. Lacking moisture (encouragement or help) it will simply wither away due to a lack of roots.

7) Some will fall among thorns. Some seed will start to develop and grow, but the pleasures of this life choke the interest and growth away.

8) Some will fall on good ground. This will result in much growing, fruit and joy!

9) You never hear of the sower returning to harvest the seed. Someone else does that.


What then do we learn? Well, God alone has the power to save. It’s His word, His watering and His growth. He graciously allows us to sow the seeds of His word in this world. To assume that our conversations, debates, arguments or persuasions can convince anyone to be saved is to take a view of ourselves which is high. Too High. We are simply called to sow; not our own thoughts, or ideas or views, but the word of God. As a result of Monday, many thousands (and as a friend of mine worked out, perhaps millions) saw the wonderful gospel verse of John 3 v 16. What they do with that information is not up to us. Some will “trample it underfoot”. Some have an initial interest which will be snatched away. Many may consider becoming Christians, and may do, but will fade due to a lack of real interest. Perhaps a few will be saved, but slip away into the world again when the Christian life becomes too tough. But if one, just one person is truly saved, they in turn could grow and develop and “produce much fruit”.

You and I on Monday fulfilled this verse. “He, who goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall without doubt return with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him”. Psalm 126:6

Now we are to rejoice with those who rejoice. Pray for the hearts of everyone who saw it, that the Holy Spirit may bless our small effort and enlighten the understanding of a currently unsaved heart. Take any opportunities that may come to speak of our faith and the power the gospel had on our lives who were once in darkness ourselves, but now see.

Thank you for being involved, may heaven alone show us the full extent of mondays effort. 

You can now follow the idea throughout the year on twitter: @John316day and facebook on John 3:16 Explained (A page to guide those curious to in order to find out more). Please share this post to show others what it was that was done, and to increase interest for next year. 
Yours in Him. Dan

BATTLEGROUND

On Tuesday night i had a fight! Not a fist throwing, karate kicking, head butting kind of fight, but a spiritual fight. Even though I remained steadfast on what the bible says, I still felt spiritually beaten up. 

Sometimes, I feel as though I'm fighting against the majority.

Here in England  as you may have seen on the news, there has been a huge push to allow equal rights marriage. Sadly, there is a great demand to change God's design for marriage (the joining of one man and one woman for life in sight of, and under the blessing of God). For a long time, traditional marriage has either been ignored or forsaken, by an increase of unmarried or divorced couples. But this is another level. Seeking to give to someone something that is completely against the will of God. Same sex marriage.

The "fight", or debate occurred when i questioned on Facebook how our society could glorify and see as being a "human right" for people to indulge in sin. What followed was a 5 hour, 150+ comment debate between born again Christians  and some lovely but spiritually lost friends of mine. Those who believe in God, and those who don't. People who trust in His word, and those who willfully disobey it. This is not the first time my faith has lead to these sorts of debates, and i guarantee it wont be the last. I've come to the conclusion that more and more we are going to have to stand up and be counted, to be more public in our backing of scriptural truth, and more outspoken about sin.

This, and through the encouragement of my friend Tate, has lead me to think once more of the position we're in as Christians  The Christian's walk is not meant to be a stroll in the park. If it is, perhaps you're not walking it correctly? We are told in the bible that it's a battleground we're in, not a playground! 

God wants us to stand up for Him, and in coming months and years its only going to get harder to do. There will be more voices against us, and soon the enemy will even have the law on his side.

Paul said at the end of his life "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim 4: ESV)
He lived his life in a state of war, always fighting, always running, always believing, and eventually his part in the war and race was over. Now it's our turn. Now we are the soldiers. We now have the race to run.

Are you in the fight? Which side are you on? Paul told Timothy to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) Timothy was to fight against those who opposed the Christian faith, and to defend the eternal life that is given to those on the side of the Lord Jesus.

Here are a few reasons why we should keep fighting and for your own meditation:
1) God gives us the armour to fight in. (Ephesians 6: 10-20)
2) we are already on the victory side. (1 Corinthians 15: 50-58)
3) God gives us the strength to fight for Him. ( Ephesians 3: 14-21)

Are you prepared to fight? Are you going to stand up for what is right, rather than for what is popular? If you're a Christian, you've already been enlisted!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - (Philippians 4:14 ESV) 

Remember you can follow this blog on facebook at One Door Closes, Another Opens, or follow me on twitter (see right hand side under "recommended sites").

Yours in Him

Dan

Desire

Have you ever used a metal detector to search for hidden treasure? I personally haven’t, but it does look like a lot of fun....especially if you actually find something!


I’m sure you've heard the expression “Nothing worth having comes easy”. I think it’s fair to say that in life it’s true anything valuable, worthwhile and profitable usually comes from hard work. It could be the singleness of mind to achieve it. Or the deep rooted desire to obtain it. Or even the physical effort which is put in to make it happen. But whatever it is, it normally doesn't happen passively.


David wrote in Psalm 27:4 “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple”. (NIV) David had one, single-hearted desire; He wanted to spend his days considering the beauty of God. This wouldn't happen naturally. It wouldn't just occur in his life, that desire to spend the time, and to put in the effort, of seeking after God. In this Psalm, David is aware of his enemies being around him, and his own sinful weakness within him, and yet he wouldn't allow them to distract him from his desire.


If God offered to grant me one request, what would I ask for? Fame, wealth, health, or family perhaps? David’s soul desire was to spend time with God, and getting to know His beauty. It was this craving that lead him to act, and the actions were the very things which made it happen. God wants to be found. He tells us “You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:13). You won’t however find God passively. He won’t just come and sit next to you on the bus, or call your mobile. We have to put in the effort.


Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt 5:8 ESV). If we are to know God, we must make sure that there is no sin in our lives. Firstly, if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then the sin in your life (All of the times you’ve broken God’s laws) means that God won’t reveal himself to you. Isaiah said “yours iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you” (59:2 KJV). Secondly, once you have had your sins forgiven, God expects us to keep ourselves free from further sin. (While it’s impossible to never sin again because of our sinful nature, we are to constantly confess our sin and keep short accounts with God. You can see more about this in my other post SinLESS.)


God wants us to know Him, He wants us to search for Him; but what beauty can we gaze on when we consider God? Well, imagine a rainbow. Each colour on its own is a beautiful thing. Perhaps red would represent God’s grace. The blue His mercy. Maybe the green His sovereignty? Each one is worthy of our time to consider and appreciate, but when we put them all together, we have a far greater person and understanding to worship and adore God. He is not lacking in anything, He is absolute in all things, and as such is worth the time, effort and hard work to find. Perhaps you could share some of the things you've discovered about Him recently in the comments section below. Its great to share the things we learn about God, each of us adding to the understanding of other people.


What gets in my way from knowing God? Do I allow work commitments, or friendships in the world, or pleasures of sin to occupy my time? I know what personally stops me. What about you? Jesus has given eternal life to those who trust in Him. “This is life eternal, that they may know the only true God and Jesus Christ who you have sent” (John 17:3). He’s worth the effort!

If you've enjoyed this post, please share it with others.


Yours in Him

Dan

Finger of God

Bit of a strange question, but have you ever cut your finger?


Maybe just a paper cut, or possibly a far deeper cut than that, but either way it really hurts. Due to my line of work I need to use my hands and fingers a lot. Sometimes for heavy manual work, and other times for intricate detailed work. There is a risk at times when using machinery that they could be damaged or removed completely, but thankfully by God’s grace I haven’t lost any yet.

Fingers therefore are very precious to me, and they are important to the creation of a piece of work. They’re small and sometimes insignificant, but are very valuable and necessary to us. Here are a few references I’ve come across concerning the fingers of God.



“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3

Let me reverently say that God didn’t labour in creation. It wasn’t outside of His capability or power to make all things, both those things which are seen and unseen. Despite the vastness of the universe, God used no more than His fingers. We look up in the night sky and see the moon and stars, and God has set each one in its place. In one of my other posts (STARGAZING) I mentioned the fact that this indicated the personal, organised pattern of creation. God, who knows each star by name, took the time to place the stars exactly where it is He wanted them. Each star, grasped in-between the forefinger and thumb of God, as He assigned it a place in His universe. The end of the verse asks “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?” The fact that God is bigger than we can imagine, and created this unique, wonderful universe was so easy for Him, it begs the question: “Why would He have an interest in me?” Why does He show me so much patience, and grace, and love? I think it’s because He IS love. He IS gracious. He IS longsuffering. It’s impossible for Him to behave in any other way.

The next time you look up to see the stars and the moon, remember that God who used just His fingers, loves you. It certainly amazes me.



“And the Lord gave me the two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words that the Lord had spoken with you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.” (Deut 9:10)

Whenever a king wanted to make absolutely sure that a letter he sent was known to be from him, he would set his seal upon it. He would have a signet ring (usually) with an emblem which would be pushed into melted wax to show it was him who has assigned it. God proves to us that the 10 commandments weren’t just the thoughts of Moses, because He himself wrote the tablets with the “Finger of God”. No greater evidence is required for proof that God alone established His law. When we sin, we aren’t disobeying our parents, teachers, friends or family. We are sinning against the God of Heaven.



“Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lamp stand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's colour changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.” (Dan 5:5-6)

The fingers of God don’t always speak of creating. On this occasion, it is in reference to God’s judgement. He had seen the sinful works of King Belshazzar for long enough, and despite His long-suffering, it was time to act. In the middle of a great feast, the hand of God appeared, and the finger wrote in the plaster. Imagine for one second that you’re a guest that night. You’re having a great time until the room comes to a standstill, and you notice a hand, unconnected to a body, writing on the wall. What would you think? How would you react? The people were drinking and eating from the gold and silver vessels of God, and while doing so were praising their own gods. How disrespectful to God. How sad that Belshazzar used the things of God for his own purposes.

Do I do that? Do I use the things of God, or the things God has given me for my own purpose? In all honesty, wasting time is a big one for me. What about money? Relationships? Jobs? Homes? The list is endless, and everyone’s struggles are different. But what do I do with the things I have been given from God?

God’s finger was writing “Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin”, which could be paraphrased as “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and ended it. You’re life has been weighed on a scale, and you’ve come up short. You’re kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians”. This makes me think of the servant in Matthew 25 who was entrusted with a talent, and instead of using it to further his masters wealth, simply hid it. When the master found out he said “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.” How is God going to view our use of the “talent” (not money, but God given gift) He’s given us when He returns? Have we used it to further His kingdom, or hidden it from view? Standing before God, and He asks why we didn’t work for Him? Why we allowed somebody else to work instead of us. Are you turning down and ignoring opportunities to use your gift for God? Are you storing up, or neglecting the things God has entrusted to us? They are His, and one day we will have to answer for how we have used them. Belshazzar saw the finger of God when it was too late, and he lost it all.



“And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.” (Mark 7:33)

Here is a man who is deaf and dumb. A picture of me before I was saved and became a Christian. We had our ears closed to the voice of God, and we never used our mouths to praise Him; we didn’t even know how to. But when we met the Lord, and realised who He was, trusting Him with simple faith; our eyes, ears and mouth were opened! Opened to speak for Him, and to hear His voice. Opened to serve Him. There is no better feeling when we are alone, or down, or facing difficulties, than to feel the touch of a loved one. A cuddle, a hug, or just someone to hold our hand. The Lord Jesus, the son of God put His fingers into the man ears, and touched his tongue. How about me? Do I care for the people God has placed in my life? Do I reach out to them to show the love of God? The Lord Jesus took the time, and made the effort to show compassion to this outcast of society. How low am I prepared to go? The healing hand and fingers of God have made a bit impact on my life physically and spiritually. Have you felt them for yourself?



“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

This is me. I’ll believe it when I see it, or when I've experienced it for myself. I doubt, and question other people’s experiences of the Lord. But one day, like Thomas, all will be revealed. I’ll see the marks in His hands and feet, the fist sized hole in His side. And on that day, I won’t be taken up with other people’s experiences, or how they functioned and behaved in their Christian lives. I’ll simply wish I’d served Him better.



“This they said to test him that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.” (John 8:6)

The crowd were shouting for a response. The woman had been caught in adultery and the law demanded that she be put to death. Would Jesus forgive her, or condemn her? What did Jesus write? I actually don’t have any suggestions, and to be honest I’m not going to make any. But I just wonder what the Saviour was thinking? The fingers that made all things, that judged sin, and healed the sick, wrote in the dust of the ground. Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts, or send me a message at One door closes, another opens.



Yours in Him

Dan

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

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CONTENT

Today’s blog is one which will look at the two aspects of the word “CONTENT”. By this I don’t mean items, like you’d find on a content list. But rather its use to describe our attitude toward something.

Let’s consider it in a negative sense first. I always prefer the bad news ahead of the good news in the hope that the good overcomes the bad. Weird I know ha ha.

In the book of Haggai, the prophet is speaking to the first group of people that returned to Jerusalem. They had begun to rebuild the temple of God, but had given up because of opposition (Samaritans). Haggai ch 1:3-6 says “Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

“You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

God had noticed that because the spiritual work of rebuilding the temple had ceased, the people had begun to focus upon their own homes. This in itself wasn’t a bad thing, but it had become their main focus in life. They had become “Content” with their situation. They had become comfortable in their nice houses, and had lost the interest for the temple of God. What about me? Have I lost interest in the building up of the church I attend? Do i pray for, and live to further the kingdom of God? Or is my time and effort spent on building up the comfortable things in my life? Careers, relationships, sporting teams, university studies, homes? They of themselves aren't bad things, but they can become distractions very easily without us knowing.

Then comes the part I find most challenging, v6. I believe that God is criticising them for not making full use of their blessings. He is telling them that while they are sowing, eating, drinking, clothed and earning money, they could have so much more! They were content with the least of what they could of had. Just like when they first entered the promised land, the Children of Israel didn't take up God's promise that "Everywhere the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours". But they didn't make the most of it! They’re getting the bare minimum out of life. In Ephesians Paul tells us “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3). Am i making the most of the many blessings God has given me? Do I walk in the Spirit, in the power of God, by unwavering faith, knowing my life is covered by the grace of God? Personally......No. Not all of the time. If I did I’d not worry, panic, doubt or fear. I’d make the most of every opportunity, make every day count. That’s what I’m trying to do this year, make each day count and be a blessing or help to someone. 

The second aspect of contentment is in a positive way. It’s Paul who writes all of the verses I’d like to consider now (If it is true as suspected that Paul was the writer of Hebrews). Paul was a man who lived a content life. In 2 Cor 12:10 (ESV) Paul writes “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In the verse prior to this, Paul tells us that God had promised “My grace is sufficient for you”. When Paul was experiencing problems, trials and difficulties, that’s when he felt God most in his life. When life is smooth and we’re comfortable and content (In that negative way), we often forget and ignore God’s will and help. But in those difficult times, that’s when our appreciation of God, and faith in God grow most.

Then, in Philippians 4:11, Paul speaks of financial contentment. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” The world tells us to strive for wealth, to be financially comfortable. But in both poverty and wealth we have opportunities to glorify God, or to use it for sin. Agur, in proverbs 30: 7-9 says “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; 
feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

Wealth can lead us to ignore God, poverty can lead us to sin against God. Godly contentment is an attitude that says “Whether God gives me much or little, I will use it all for Him.” This is much easier to say than to do at times.

Then, Paul tells Timothy that “If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Tim 6:8). This goes against modern day society that wants the best of everything. We need to be content with what we have, God doesn't promise to meet our worldly desires and ambitions, but to satisfy every NEED.

And finally, in Hebrews 13:5, we read “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. The only way we can have true biblical contentment is to realise that God loves us, blesses us, and meets our need. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” Worldly gain and wealth will never make up for storing up spiritual treasure in Heaven. I hope that we can no longer be content (In the negative sense) with what we have achieved and gained, but also learn to be content (Positively) with what God has blessed us with.

Yours in Him

Dan
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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?