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

Are you prepared? Part 2

In the last blog post, we looked at the warning God gave to King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20 v 1-3) "Are you prepared??". This first part looked at how a non-Christian might respond to news that their life was to soon come to an end. But how would a Christian respond? 

I think firstly, there would be a sense that we had unfinished business. There were places we'd still like to visit, people we'd want to see before we go, but ultimately there would be a lack of fear. Death contains no fear for those who are certain of their eternal home.

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord

When a person comes to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they gain something this world can't guarantee. Peace. 

Peace within, peace with God, peace of mind, peace about eternity. "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) We have peace with God when we believe in Jesus His Son; His perfect life and sufficient sacrifice for sin. This peace is given to us the moment we believe through faith. Instantaneous, and eternal!

There is also the knowledge that a Christian has of where they will spend eternity. To know the destination makes the journey all the more bearable. "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Phil 3 v 20-21. A Christian already has a hope that they'll be in heaven because they're already citizens there. Waiting for a day when they will go there forever. 

But this takes us onto our next point. These bodies of ours, which sin, and age and eventually die, will one day be changed. We (Christians) will be given a new body, an incorruptible body, just like the The Lord Jesus. "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling." (2 Cor 5 v 1-2). Our earthly bodies are temporary and decay and are marked by sin, but there's a heavenly and permanent body to come. Just like a fish's body isn't suited for life on land, our current bodies aren't equipped for heaven, but one day all that will change. 

Finally, (and there are many more we could add), we will try to live a life that is pleasing to God. "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Col 1:10) God wants us to live for Him all through our lives, not just in the easy times, or when we want. There is a future reward for all of the work we have done for Him, and while our work doesn't save us, it does bring rewards in heaven. I hope today you could honestly answer that you'd have the peace of God (through salvation), hope of a future home in heaven, corruptible bodies in the future to look forward to and are living lives which are pleasing to God; waiting to hear those words "Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little, I will set you over a lot. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matt 25:21)

Yours in His name

Dan x

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

Evangelism

I didn't plan to do another post for a few weeks, but this subject captured my imagination. This is the first blog post which I've written that is born out of a simple questionnaire. Sometimes I get curious, and on one particular day this week I was thinking about when people are saved and what influences it? Does evangelism work, and who does it work on and when? I asked the following two questions:

1) How old were you when you became a Christian?

2) Where were you when you got saved?

Before I look at the responses, and what they indicate to us, let me leave a little disclaimer. This is not a 100%, definitive questionnaire. It doesn't allow for the person's upbringing, background, location or in some case what type of church group/ camp etc they attended. There were 105 people who took part, and it was quite a diverse group of people, but It doesn't account for everyone.

The answers fell into 4 groups, people became Christian's when they were:

• Children (Aged 4 - 10) - 55%
• Teens (Aged 11 -18) - 29%
• Young Adults (Aged 19 - 30) - 8%
• Adults (Aged 31 - 99) - 9%

But I just want to look at the first two, Children and Teens.

The "children" section (which includes me) is by far the largest, with most children becoming Christians between 5 - 8 years old. Of the 58 people saved as children, 76% of them said they were saved at home. (19% of them said they were saved at a church event; either Sunday school or childrens meetings). What we can assume from these numbers is that hearing the gospel as a child is a great thing! Children as young as 4 became Christians, children I would suggest come from Christian homes who have seen, heard and believed Godly example of Christian parents.

I hope that encourages any current parents, future parents and Sunday school leaders! Parents, do you take your children to church? Do you allow them to go to Sunday school, youth groups and gospel meetings? Do you read and pray with them? I urge you to keep going, It really works! I myself was saved at a Childrens meeting at the age of 7. Most of the children heard the gospel at organised meetings, but it was interesting how many mentioned parents and grandparents who had influenced them towards salvation. Its vital that Christian parents (Which I'm not, but hope to God willing be one day) not only encourage children to attend gospel efforts, but provide a good example at home and create an environment that encourages a love for and understanding of the Saviour. Keep on going!

Paul wrote to Timothy and said "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 through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim 3:14-15 NIV)

Children who are raised with bible stories, praying parents, childrens meetings and hearing the gospel are more likely to be saved.

Teens

Then, there are the teens. There were 30 people who became Christians in their teenage years. Again, 40% trusted the Lord while they were at home, but I'm fairly sure that the influence of church events (Which accounted for 20%), and camps (33%) lead to many of them being saved later on at home. 

Again, I encourage any parents to keep allowing/ urging your children to attend gospel work at church and go to gospel camps. Even teenagers who had heard the gospel since childhood came to trust the Lord in their teens. Hearing the gospel many times isn't a bad thing, and on any such occasion a person can be convicted to be saved. Keep on going!

KEEP ON GOING!

What about the rest? Here is a quick break down of the older people.

19-30 Year olds 8%

31-99 Year olds 9% (17 people in total)

Interestingly 59% of them were saved at church organised events. Do you have a bible course, coffee morning, gospel meeting, mother and toddlers? Adults, some even in their 30's (and one in his 60's!) are being saved. Keep on going!

While this post isn't particularly well written or presented, I hope it shows simply that God still saves. There is no formula, and no guarantees. We don't know when or if a person will be saved, but we do know that it's still possible! Have you a young child? Keep going! Are they teenagers now? Its not too late, keep going! Are they adults? Until the moment they die, they can still be saved.....Keep on going! Keep praying that God blesses our families, churches and countries with salvation.

What If you're reading this and you aren't a Christian? If you couldn't fill this questionnaire? Please take the time to read My Testimony (Why and how I became a Christian) and see the explaination there. If you weren't one of the people who sent me their answers, why not answer them in the comment box below? I'd love to hear your story! 

I hope this is an encouragement. - Dan Bilton

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?

Insomnia

There are few things worse in life than having sleepless nights. Knowing you need sleep and that your body is tired, but you're experiencing "Temporary Insomnia". The frustration of tossing and turning and getting nowhere. Sleep being the furthest possible thing from your mind. Lying wide awake with nothing but thoughts going round and round in your head. Perhaps it's worry, anxiety, fear, nerves, doubts, excitement or anticipation. Whatever it is, it seems to last forever. Every second, minute and hour seems to last a lifetime. 

As a Christian, we aren't exempt from those feelings and emotions. We still have nights of great sadness and worry. We possibly never admit publicly that we are struggling, however, what we also have is a God who knows and loves us. He knows our lives up to their very end, and He cares for us throughout them. Remember "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17 ESV). Also, we have a Saviour (Suffering Saviour) who loved us enough to die in our place. And inside each and every true born again Christian is the Holy Spirit, the God given comforter and guide to help us on our heavenward journey. The three members of the God-head all working together out of love for you. 

I don't know what keeps you up at night. Maybe its marriage or relationship problems, work responsibilities  Parental concerns, health issues, financial worries or exam stress. God always gives His people hope, wants them to have faith, teaches them patience. It will get better. He does know the outcome. He can be trusted. In all your problems remember that "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

Yours in Him
Dan

Being Ready

I acknowledge that the last two posts (Testimony and Commendation) i’ve written were very personal, and quite long in length, so this post will be short. 


You may never be a David, Moses or Abraham........but will you be a Shamgar?


Looking back on your Christian life so far, how would you evaluate it? Has it been consistent? Has it peaked and troughed through periods of spiritual highs, and sinful lows? Mine, more often than not is like the second description. Sometimes we can be guilty of comparing ourselves to the great men of the bible. We look at the faith of Abraham, the trust of Joseph, the courage of Paul, the reign of King David, the wisdom of King Solomon, the spontaneity of Peter or the friendship enjoyed by Moses. 

I believe that God wants faithful, consistent lives lived for Him

I often feel that the work I try to do for the Lord is insignificant. That it doesn’t achieve any real results. That there doesn’t appear to be any blessing. But when did God promise to bless everything we do? At what point did He tell us all our efforts would bear fruit? He didn’t. He told us that “Salvation is of the Lord”. It’s His work and He will bless it and increase it when He sees fit. Also, He doesn't guarantee that we will have a life filled with momentous occasions when we write our names in history. I believe that God wants faithful, consistent lives lived for Him, waiting for any doors to open for Him to use us, whether for small victories or mighty battles.

When God calls, am I ready to serve Him?

In Judges 3:31 we read of one event in the life of a man named Shamgar. All we learn of him is the name of his dad, and that he killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Or “cattle prod”, it was a long, pointed, wooden stick). We don’t read about lots of events in his life, or about many great and wonderful victories. We read that when God needed him, Shamger was raised up and strengthened to defeat 600 members of the enemy. This isn’t one of the longest, deepest, or most encouraging posts......but I want to encourage myself and any readers with this thought; When God calls, am I ready to serve Him? I may only get one opportunity; God may use someone else if I say no. Am I ready? Am I listening? Am I willing? The result of Shamgar doing God’s will that day was that “He also saved Israel”. Perhaps God wants to use you to save someone today, are you ready?


“After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an ox goad, and he also saved Israel” - Judges 3:31


Thank you as always for reading and sharing these posts. May they be used for the Glory of God. In the comments section below, please leave your answer to this question... What work has God called you to do for Him recently?

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Commendation

This blog post has been the most difficult to write. Firstly because it is based on the commendation of my good friends Jamie and Marilyn Mcilree into service for God as missionaries, and I want to make sure that I do their story justice. Secondly, there are so many events and parts to their story and call, that I have to be selective to avoid the post becoming a biography. On Saturday 13th April, I was privileged to hear the call that the Lord gave to them both separately, and to witness the concern and love that they have for the work they are about to embark on. This post is given entirely over to their call, and the work that they have been commended to do. (If you would like to read them for yourself, Jamie read the following verses before he told us his call: Philippians 3: 7-14, Romans 12:1, John 2:5) 

“Is what you’re living for worth Christ dying for?” – Leonard Ravenhill (Just one of the quotes that convicted Jamie)


Jamie and Marilyn are both Scottish and were raised in Christian homes. While Marilyn became a Christian at a young age, Jamie only came to know Jesus Christ as his Saviour in April 2007. I think it’s fair to say that they, like so many young people, had periods in their lives when they weren’t living in a way that pleased their parents. Whether as a Christian straying from the footsteps of the Lord, or as a sinner living out their life in unbelief and rebellion, it wasn’t quite as their parents expected.


Jamie for several years had an important role in banking, but felt very burdened to give up his career and to seek employment elsewhere. What followed was 18 months of unemployment. But during that time, one week of meetings would change the course of his life; He was shown his own lack of any self worth and felt the voice of God calling him through the verse “I charge you...... preach the word”. (2 Tim 4: 1-2 KJV). Jamie recalled that "The 27th nov 2008 was the night God called me. He gave me a deeper appreciated of The cross, eternity and the gospel. He just broke me and took me deeper." After several months, and various times of conviction and believing that he was hearing the call of God, Jamie sought advice from his elder at Bridge of Weir, Stephen Grant. Stephen advised him to keep it to himself, and to keep looking to the Lord for further guidance. Eventually, the Lord opened the door for him to find employment in a local prison. He wasn’t qualified for such a position, and humanly speaking wasn’t even the best candidate, but God wanted him there. He was given the role of rehabilitating prisoners back into society, a position which was more than a day job; it was a real opportunity to show and live out the love of Christ before the inmates. 


“Whatsoever He says to you, Do it” – Mary, the mother of Jesus, speaking to the servants about Him


Marilyn had always had an interest in mission work. From her childhood she had a particular place in her heart for those who serve the Lord abroad. After finishing uni, she took several trips abroad to Spain and Zambia on short mission trips, and decided to return to Zambia long term to help in the Amano (Which is Bemba for 'wisdom') Christian School for a year with her sister Rachel. They would be spending their time with the children as dorm parents.


All good stories, especially true life ones, need a romantic element to them, and their story is no different. Jamie asked Marilyn to become his girlfriend and was greeted with the response “I'm happy to, but I’m off to Zambia for a year, and I’m not changing that”. Quite early on in that year Jamie first visited Zambia, and instantly fell in love with the country. While there, he was offered the chance to visit the local prison; an invitation which he flatly refused. When returning for his second visit however, he accepted the invitation to go and was introduced to the guard on the main gate as “The man who will take over this work from me”; Words which were spoken by the current missionary to the prison, Ian Campbell. Upon his return, Jamie felt the burning conviction of the Lord for him to be involved in the prison work in Chingola. Hearing a man give ministry, Jamie was asked “What has God got you doing now?” King David was presented as a great example, as he was a humble shepherd during his early years of life, but God was training him up with the qualities and attributes he’d need for leading the people of God. Just like David, God had been using Jamie’s employment to fit him for a future work.


On 17th July 2011, Jamie called Marilyn at Amano, and she told him “I believe that God is calling me to serve him”. She had 3 different examples that had spoken to her.

1) Isaiah 6 – Living the life of service.
2) The Disciples – Unqualified, and yet living their lives for the Lord
3) Giving all and not half of her life to God. She believed that if God called her to serve Him, He would always provide the help that they’d need. Jamie continued to receive many confirmations (far too many to list) that he himself was being called, and with added confidence and guidance, proposed to Marilyn. 


After their engagement, they started to look for suitable areas in which to live. The same day that Jamie prayed for a clear sign as to where the Lord wanted them, Marilyn received a text from Ian in Chingola saying “We’d like you to come to Zambia and we have a house here for you”. Could you have gotten a clearer sign than that? 

They were married in September 2012, and having spent the past few months learning the Bemba language, being advised on some of the important things missionaries encounter and sharing their story with several churches and groups, they are now set to go. They have seen God bless them and make many miraculous provisions for them as they have waited for the door to finally open for their departure. On 1st may 2013, they leave their families and friends, the comforts of home and their paid employment to serve the Lord in the prison at Chingola, Zambia. 


“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 3: 13-14


They would value prayer for their health, adapting quickly to the culture and swift learning of the Bemba language. The families they leave behind and the assemblies in which they served in Glasgow need prayer and support as they continue without them. Jamie and Marilyn haven't asked for any financial support, but perhaps I could take the liberty upon myself to say that if you would like to send them a gift to aid them in their service, please contact me at restorationdan@gmail.com and I’ll happily help to arrange that. Their contact details are seen below, and I’m sure they would love to hear from anyone who wished to encourage them in the work. Also, any comments left below will be forwarded to them. A video of Jamie speaking at Auckinleck can be viewed here - Jamie at Auckinleck


Let me say in closing what an encouragement they have both been to me personally, and I find it challenging that such a young couple would choose to give up all the things that this world places value on, to seek to be obedient to the call of the Lord, and be involved in His work. May they know the hand of the Lord upon them, and be conscience of the prayer of the Saints of God for them as they go.

Yours in Him

Dan

Testimony

Well as Thursday approaches, I’m looking forward to a special day; my 28th birthday!! I love celebrating birthdays, and I’ve had some really enjoyable ones through the years. From weird and wonderful home made cakes, to full on 21st parties and precious time spent with friends. And then the presents! What wonderful presents; far too many to name.....but all of them greatly received.

But I thought it was time to write about a more important birthday, the one that celebrates the day I trusted Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sin. I don’t know an actual date, but I do know where I was, how old, and why. 

This for those who don’t know it, is my testimony.

“Truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”.


Firstly, I was 7 years old, and for as long as I can remember had been taken along to “church” as I knew it. Now of course I know that the name refers to the “people and not the steeple”, the Christians who go and not the building they meet in. I had for a long time been under the impression (wrongly) that I was safe in the knowledge that I was going to heaven one day, based on the fact that my parents took me everywhere with them. But aged 7, during a week of children’s meetings which I think were taken by Jim McMaster, I understood for the first time that wasn’t the case. Throughout the week we learnt the verse John 3:16 (which is a lot of the reason why the John 3:16 day event was so close to my heart – Sowing), and I eventually realised that I needed to trust in the work of Calvary for myself.  Just as my parents wouldn’t be taking me to heaven, I likewise wouldn’t be going to a lost eternity with them.....I’d be on my own. I had to have personal faith, in the sacrificial death of Jesus for me and the sins I had done.



So one night during the week (unknown to me the night after my best friend Sarah had been saved) I went home and kneeling by my bed, confessed my sins to God; acknowledged with my simple understanding that I was guilty before a Holy, all seeing God and believed that Jesus died to pay for them. I experienced immediate happiness and I wanted to phone everyone I knew. Sometimes I wish I could have bottled that joy. How I could do with it on so many occasions, to go back to that point in time when I appreciated what I had been saved from, and blessed with. Quick question....Have you had a moment like this? Not necessarily knowing the date or time, but definitely having done it yourself? I hope you have, and if you haven’t, now is a great time to!



What next? Surely I went on to be an amazing Christian, missionary, evangelist? Sadly not. I wasted 7 years (And many more in the future), as I thought I had done enough. I had ticked the all important “Salvation” box, and anything else was a bonus. That idea would change very quickly when I was 14. Sitting in my cousin’s lounge, people took it in turns to explain when they got baptised and why. It came round to me, and I didn’t have an answer. Worse still, I had no excuse. So, I plucked up the courage a few weeks later to ask to be baptised, which I eventually was with a very good friend Stuart, and we came into fellowship the weekend after. Since then, my bible reading and study has been sporadic at best, and my devotion to the Lord fluctuates more often than I’d like, but my Saviour and Lord has never failed me. He is always there, always willing, always encouraging. I’m so pleased that my salvation has never been based on how I live or how good I am. I’m saved forever because of the precious shed blood of the Son of God, shed so many years ago because of His unfailing love. (If you want to know more about what He did, you can read it here - Suffering Saviour.)

Why did I need a second birth though?

Jesus told a Pharisee named Nicodemus that “Truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” John 3:3 (ESV). Heaven is only for those who are “Born again”. Nicodemus naturally exclaimed “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:4 (ESV). Jesus however wasn’t speaking about physical birth. We are all born once, and we all die once, just like our original ancestors Adam & Eve. But they had sinned against God, and the effects of that sin has passed down through every generation of humanity since. The second birth then is a spiritual birth, moving from the physical inheritance of sin & future judgement, to the spiritual inheritance of heaven, forgiveness of sins and being right with God. This is done by two things. Firstly, God put the payment down for sin by punishing His own Son Jesus in our place. Secondly, its dependent upon a person responding with faith in what He did. That, is in essence what I did 21 years ago; I believed for the first time that I needed to be saved, that I could be saved, and that Jesus alone could do it. There are many things that I regret in life, but trusting Jesus Christ, and being born again has never been one of them!


Are you able to celebrate being born again?

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