Patience

Patience may be the greatest answer to our deepest problem

We've all been there. The foot tapping, constantly checking the time, searching the crowd. Waiting is never enjoyable. The longer the wait, the more frustrated we feel. 

Where are they? What’s taking so long? Why aren't they here? 

We can all be guilty of showing impatience. The more we’re looking forward to something, the slower it seems to come round. If most people had to name a weakness or fault they were conscious of most, i imagine for many it would be impatience.


This impatience is often magnified when it comes to waiting on God. 

We know we should, and we know it’d be best, but we cant help it. 

Why isn't He bringing me that job? Where is the husband/ wife I’m looking for? When will this illness leave? When will my finances improve?

Waiting for God can be frustrating at times, and not knowing when or how He will act also can cause us to doubt His promises. Many of the Old Testament saints experienced periods of waiting for God. Hannah had prayed for many years. Abraham tried to speed up God’s promises. The people of Israel grew tired of waiting for Moses to return, so they built a golden calf to worship. 

The chance to save him was lost, and all hope had gone.


When we come into the New Testament, we find that patience is still in short supply. Mary and Martha have sent for the Lord Jesus. They tell Him “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3). They waited for Jesus to come and heal their brother Lazarus. “Surely He’ll come?” They thought. “He loves Lazarus, why wouldn't He?”. They must have been sad when Lazarus died, and they buried their brother in a tomb. The chance to save him was lost, and all hope had gone. They had patiently waited, but Jesus had failed to help. But God’s timing is different to ours. Sometimes He wants us to go through trials and temptations to increase our faith, and so that when He does act, it’s in a far more miraculous way. Had Jesus gone to Bethany, He could have performed a miracle and given Lazarus his health back, but instead He was going to demonstrate a far greater miracle than that, He would bring him back to life.


There, outside of the village Martha met Jesus, and said “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” (John 11 v 21-22). How right she was! Lazarus wouldn't have died, but then they all would have missed out on a wonderful experience! Standing at the graveside, Mary and Martha were reunited with their brother, four days after burying him. How deeper their appreciation would be for their friend Jesus, no longer just the healer of the sick, but the restorer of life! How much stronger their faith would be in “The Resurrection and the Life”.


What about us? Do we always expect our prayers to be answered that same day? or week? 

Perhaps sometimes they are. Maybe it will take many months, or even years, to see God respond to our hearts deepest longings. But could it be that God is trying to teach us patience? It may be that He has something far greater in store if we just wait. 

Patience may be the greatest answer to our problems!

Yours in Him

Dan

Questions to consider:

What are you waiting for most at this moment in time? 

How can you increase your patience?

What other bible verses would encourage us to wait on God's timing?

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

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?

Suffering Saviour

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.

Let me set the scene for you.

There is a young man who has been bound up by soldiers, brought to the High Priest Caiaphas in Jerusalem, and he’s now standing among a baying crowd. They want blood. They want a reason to find him guilty. They've called for any witnesses who could declare a fault, or wrong that he had done; But they found none.

Surely they’ll let him go as he’s obviously an innocent man? Perhaps it was all a case of mistaken identity? They had seen him heal a man’s withered hand in their synagogue. They had heard the stories of how he calmed a storm in the middle of the sea with a few spoken words. They had seen Lazarus, a man who had been dead 4 days, alive again because of him. They ask him a few questions, and he doesn't give them the answer they’re happy with. That was the final straw; one of the men actually struck his face, some slapped him, and others came and spat in his face. This man had once spat himself, but his was on the ground. His was used to heal a blind man. Everything he had done was right, and good, and just. Yet they spat in his face.

The defendant was brought to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, and he cross examined him. Pilate said “I find no fault in this man”. Pilate chose to send him to Herod the (puppet) king, but he refused to speak to Herod. He remained absolutely silent. Herod, along with the soldiers mocked him, and dressed him in a fine robe, and sent him back to Pilate.

Pilate, realising there was no case to argue for this man offered to release him instead of a murderer named Barabbas, thinking that the people would favour this miracle performing, truth telling, innocent man. Surprisingly the crowd, having been wound up by the leaders of Israel, cried out for Barabbas to be released, and for the man to be crucified. Surely they didn’t want an innocent man tortured and killed? Pilate again speaking to the crowd, declares “I find no fault in this man”, “I have found no reason for him to die. I’ll punish him and release him”.

 For the second time that night, men spat in his face.

First, the roman soldiers scourged him, whipping his back with a whip of leather, bone and stone, ripping the very flesh off his back. Then, they mocked him; stripping him of his own clothes and dressing him in a purple robe. They forced a crown of long length thorns onto, and into his brow. They pulled the facial hairs out of his beard. Bowing down in fake worship of this “King”, they struck him on his already bleeding head with a thick reed. Finally, to completely humiliate and dishonour him; they spat in his face. For the second time in one night, men spat in his face. Was it the whole band of soldiers, or just a few? It honestly matters not, they had spat in his face.

Now the crowd must be satisfied, content that he had learnt his lesson? This however wasn't sufficient for the mob; they wanted him dead. They cried out “Away with this man, we don’t want him to reign over us”. Pilate gave in to the crowd and ordered the man’s crucifixion. The soldiers lead him outside of the city of Jerusalem, carrying his own cross on his back. Carrying it, that is, as far as his slowly decreasing strength allowed. He was losing blood, his steps getting smaller and taking longer, and so the soldiers compelled a stranger of the city, Simon of Cyrene, to help him. Once they had reached their location, the soldiers nailed him through his hands and feet, and lifted him up for all to see. There, hanging on the central cross of three, was a man who was “without fault”.

You could allow him to be angry; to curse, swear, shout, scream, kick and bite. Yet he had given them no problems. He hadn't even opened his mouth. How the soldiers must have marveled  They must have been amazed at him. They certainly were when he finally spoke, and said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. Everything he had already endured and he didn't ask for revenge? Didn't want compensated? Didn't want them held accountable? He wanted them forgiven!



Here is the amazing part. Before his initial arrest, the soldiers fell down at just the declaration of his name. He said “I AM”, a title used exclusively by God. He also said that at any time there were 12 legions of angels ready to come to his rescue; yet he chose not to use them. He chose the very moment when his life ended, something that no other crucified person could do. But before that happened, He endured something far worse than the physical sufferings handed out to him that night. This completely innocent man was made sin. That’s right; “He who had done no sin, was made sin for us”. Sin is all of the things we do that is against God’s commands. Whether that’s lying, stealing, killing, hating, lusting, committing adultery, blaspheming etc. All of these are a breaking of the 10 commandments God gave to humanity in order for them to live at peace with God. They actually show that left to our own devices, we all fail. We all sin. God decided to punish this man for all of mankind’s sins. Not just yours, or mine, which are thousands of sinful acts alone, but ALL of humanities. In 3 hours of darkness, this Sinless man, was made sin, and then punished for sin, all so that God could forgive the guilty people who had committed those sins. That makes the man a substitute. Someone who takes the place of someone else. All that God asks is that we trust in this man’s death and willing sacrifice.

Here is the grand finale. No human being has ever been perfect, sinless or completely innocent. So this was surely no ordinary human being, this was the very Son of God. God, in human form, born 33 years earlier through a virgin girl, having lived a perfect life, died on a cross outside of Jerusalem. 3 days his body lay in a tomb, 3 days the Romans, and the Jewish leaders thought they had got rid of him; but on the 3rd day, he rose from the dead. God himself raised him up, because he had finished the work he’d been given to do; he had made it possible for guilty, sinful, unjust people to be right with a holy God. All we have to do, is to confess the fact we are sinners to God, and to trust in this man’s sacrifice.



Who is the man? 

“You shall call his name Jesus, for He shall save his people from their sins”

Please share this post with your Christian friends to encourage them, and your non-Christian friends to challenge them.

Yours in Him,

Dan

The Disciple Jesus Loved

Is it wrong to have a favourite disciple? 

Well, maybe not a favourite; but one of the gospels that you prefer reading? If not, then my preference would be John. It's not that I don't appreciate the others, or enjoy the styles they wrote in; but there seems to be a real closeness about the way John records the events in the life of Jesus. 

John throughout his gospel humbly refers to himself as "the disciple who Jesus loved". That's not to say that Jesus Himself had favourite disciples; or that John was loved more, but more that He was constantly reminding Himself that the Son of God loved Him! 

Whenever you fail, fall short or mess up; remember that you too are "the disciple whom Jesus loved"! 

The first reference John makes to himself in this way is when he is in the upper room with Jesus and the other disciples. "One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him." (John 13:23) He's the closest person to the Lord Jesus, and at one point even leans on the saviour's chest. There was a sense of peace which John felt being near the lord. Think of all the wonderful encouraging things John heard that night; that's where his confidence in Jesus came from. 

How close am I to the Lord? Do I try to have the desire to hear what He has to say to me?

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27 ESV)

John is the only disciple that we read is at the cross. He must have had a heavy heart. He must of had a million questions running through his mind. His Lord is hanging on a cross, hardly recognisable; and yet he hears his masters voice; "Behold your mother". That day, Mary was adopted by John and John by Mary. Even on the cross, the Lord's heart was set on the needs of others. 

God still expects his children to look after each other. God delights to use us to bring about His plans. There are many verses which command us to love, provide for and encourage God's people. Who has God placed into my life to look after? Family? Friends? Strangers? God expects us to look after those who are fellow Christians! Why do we do it? John did it simply because it was the Saviour who commanded it, the Saviour who loved him.

"So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." (John 20:2 ESV)

What was John thinking? He had seen Jesus die. He had watched them take His limp body down from the cross. And now the "disciple, whom Jesus loved" heard from Mary Magdalene His grave was empty. He out-ran Peter to the grave, but initially something made him stop outside. Perhaps fear of the unknown. Fear of disappointment. Who knows? But what we do know is that "Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;" The empty tomb was enough to remind John that the Saviour rose as He had promised! 

Love "Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV) 

Love is the oil that makes faith easier to live out!

While out on a fishing boat with 6 other disciples, John saw Jesus perform a great miracle. When he saw it, "That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" (John 21:7) Which disciple recognised the saviour's voice? Which one acknowledged the stranger on the shore as his Lord? There's no surprise it was John; that his gospel records the words of Jesus that "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) is no surprise. Do I recognise the lords voice in my life? Do I allow enough silence for Him to speak? 

Personally I fill my life with noise and distractions. Last week I had a 12 hour "music and social network silence". I'm not going to claim I heard great words of wisdom, or had large visions; but I allowed the silence needed to hear the voice of God. My mind was able to think of people who would value a text, or an email. People who I could help. Why don't I do it more?

Finally, John records in the last chapter of his book Peters words with the Lord - "Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?"

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:20-22) 

Peter had heard how he was to die, and had seen a small part of what would happen in his life. He was however more taken up with John. Was he the betrayer? What would he endure? Would he be given an easier life? 

We all do it. Wonder if someone else is gonna have an easier life. If it will be longer, happier, richer and more blessed than ours? But Jesus tells us simply  "What is that to you? You follow me!" Let's not look at other Christian's lives with jealousy or envy. Lets enjoy our own unique lives. 

No one else in this world is like you! 

God has a unique plan for your life, and only you can fulfill it completely by being the person God made you to be! I hope we can all see ourselves as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". He loved you enough to die for you, he wants you to love Him back.

Yours in Him

Dan 

Restoration

"God doesn't throw us out like an old antique, battered, damaged and broken; He lovingly restores us back to how He wants us to be."

Imagine being in Peter's shoes. He's feeling pretty bad about himself, fairly down. He's rejected the one person he had believed in whole heartedly. He had even promised that he'd follow Jesus all the way to death, but at the first sign of trouble he denied even knowing the Lord.


Peter must of had a lot of mixed emotions. The man who he had been discipled by for three years; who had allowed him to walk on water, raised the dead, been transformed in his presence, removed demons from the possessed and healed the sick had died. Was He a fraud? Why has He abandoned us? Wasn't He meant to be saving us from our enemies?


Peter was aware that he had failed. He had wept bitterly when he heard the cock crow. He had denied The Lord, and had felt the sorrowful stare of the Saviour. What now? Should he just return to fishing? Should he abandon the other disciples?


When the women who had faithfully followed Jesus came to the tomb early on the Sunday morning, they were expecting to find the large stone blocking their way to the body of the Lord. What they found however, was an open tomb, and an angel present. The angel said "Don't be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter "He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you". (Mark 16:6-7 NIV Emphasis added)


"His disciples and Peter"! Jesus was aware how low, guilty, upset and a failure Peter must have been feeling; so He made sure that Peter knew he was personally being called. Peter couldn't say "Oh Jesus wants His disciples, and that doesn't include me". "I've failed Him once too often". 

I've been there. I've felt that "maybe that last sin was one too many?"; I've overstepped the line for one last time. The thought comes that "maybe I'm better off drifting back into the world; returning to my old ways. Ways that require less effort and fewer struggles".


That is not what God wants! He is all too aware of our failures; all of our faults and disappointing efforts are seen by Him. But, He doesn't abandon us! Praise God that He is long suffering and patient with each of us. His Grace is larger than our sins. He knows we can never be perfect. (SinLESS). He is calling us to repent and return. To confess and follow once more.


Peter is later restored to the group, and goes on to be a powerful man in the spread of the gospel. Am I going to just give up when I fail? Will I abandon everything that I've gained so far? "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 KJV). When a Christian sins, the door to Gods blessings aren't closed forever; but its important to confess our sin. Gods Grace will always out measure our sin, and His love means he's always ready to forgive. 

Yours in Him; hope you are all having a great weekend.


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

Things to remember

Yesterday I received an unexpected phone call. 

I had made a big mistake. 

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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

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



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



Yours in Him

Dan

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

JOY

In all honesty, this week hasn't been the best. 

It started off with a few days ill, and then a few days of little sleep. But I guess more importantly than all that, it was one of those weeks when I didn't have too much desire to read my bible. A couple of days I didn't read it. Some I did the bare minimum that the daily reading book required, and some days I read it for my own enjoyment. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has weeks like this. Sometimes, life saps the pleasure away from a Christian. Circumstances, problems, people, work and doubts all can have a negative effect upon our Christian walk.


I’ve asked myself the question “How can I make my Christian life more consistent?” Firstly, I need to make sure I understand the feelings that being a Christian should bring. Most of us expect to feel ‘Happiness’ as a Christian, and that if we don’t have that feeling all of the time, there must be something wrong with us. Happiness however is defined in the dictionary as “the emotion experienced when in a state of well-being”. Happiness then, is an emotion we feel when things are going our way. When life is going well. When our hopes are fulfilled, and our dreams are met. Happiness it would seem depends on how our life is going. In Lamentations 3:17 the writer says “my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is”. Because of the experiences of the writer (thought to be Jeremiah the prophet), he had no happiness in his life.


The bible mentions “Happiness” twice in the ESV, but the word “Joy (or joyful etc) is mentioned 192 times. What then is the difference between Joy and Happiness? The dictionary describes Joy as “Something or someone that provides a source of happiness”. A “Source” of happiness?! Not the feelings that we feel, but the person or object that create those feelings. For a Christian, we have Jesus Christ (person) and the fact we have the benefits of eternal salvation (object) to give us joy. Joy is an attitude that we choose to have, unaffected by circumstances or surroundings, and is always present for the Christian to be in its benefit.


“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7. What brings Joy to God’s heart? When a person turns from sin, and trusts in the Lord Jesus.....That delights God. The verse of course doesn't say that the 99 righteous people don’t delight God, of course they do. God loves those that are His. But He rejoices when a sinner repents and returns to Him, when the prodigal son comes home, and the lost sheep is found.


“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full". John 15:11. What had Jesus told His disciples to inform them of a Joy that was theirs? He told them that He was the vine, and they could “Abide in Him”, and that “He who abides in me, and I in Him, will bear much fruit”. This is the secret for a joyful, fruitful Christian life....Abiding in Him. My daily walk would have more joy to it if I constantly abided in Christ. Sadly, so often it isn’t.


Secondly, Jesus had told them “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” Is there a better feeling than the one of being loved? A perfect, without motive, always accepting, self sacrificing love, which is undeservedly given to us? If we can start to abide in the goodness of that, we will really have an experience of Joy! I have been guilty of trying to find happiness and love from others, and it can be found, but human love isn’t the same as the Love of God, and it can’t give us eternal, lasting, unconditional feelings of joy.


“Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” John 16:22. Jesus promised His disciples that while there would be sorrow because of His death, His resurrection would bring a joy that no one could rob them of. Why was Peter so bold at Pentecost? Why did the disciples lay down their life for the Lord? Because His resurrection confirmed all of their beliefs, that He was the Son of God! We can have true lasting joy in our daily lives because our saviour has risen. He has paid the price for sin. He has gone into glory as our forerunner. And he promised “if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again; that where I am, there you may be also”. My saviour is coming again for me, which should be a source of constant joy. Maybe I’ll see Him tonight?


“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom 15:13. The Holy Spirit loves to increase our joy. He loves to remind us all that Jesus has done for us. This shows us that joy can be increased or decreased; depending upon how much time and effort we spend on the Lord. We can have the Joy of God, or fill ourselves with the temporary happiness of the world.


“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9. As a Christian, trials will come. Problems will arise. But then if we can try to see that they are all used by God for our benefit, and to mould us to be more like Christ, then even the most difficult of problems can be a source of Joy.


I’m afraid I have hardly touched the surface of what joy is in scripture, and how we can apply it in our lives, but I hope it encourages you to read a bit more into it. May our walk together be one of deep Joy, as we go on the way with our saviour. Please feel free to share this post with others, and as always your extra thoughts and comments are greatly valued. You can follow this blog at Facbook/ODCAO

Yours in Him.

Dan

Whats in a name?

Hi everyone, Thought I’d put this blog out today in time for everyone’s Sunday. I suspect that you like me are going to be spending time remembering the Lord, and I hope this helps.

I’m sure that most of us have heard the quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet which says “What’s in a name?” Well, when it comes to our Lord Jesus, it’s quite significant as each name or title reveals to us a different part or aspect of His life and ministry. This slightly longer blog will look at the 8 Names of Jesus in John ch 1.


“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” – The first name mentioned is “The Word”. Whenever we want to get over our thoughts, we could do it in several ways. We could act it out, or draw it, but the easiest and most effective way is to describe it. To use words and sentences. When God wanted to reveal His mind and will, He sent a messenger to speak to us. This messenger wasn't another priest, prophet or king, but the co-equal son of God. The very person who has always been in the presence of God the Father. Hebrews tells us that “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person." (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV) The best reason for reading, studying and believing the words of the Lord Jesus, is because He spoke the mind of God.

The second name associated with Him is the “Light”. Jesus said “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 ESV). Jesus was like a light, shining in the darkness of this sinful world. His words and actions were so different to those of anyone else. Because they were always perfect. He promises to guide safely those who follow Him. Also, light is ideal for revealing things, and when we have Jesus in our lives, He shows us the wrong things we do, and then leads us in the right way.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” – This name speaks of the sacrificial part of the Lords life. It had to be the Lamb of God’s providing (Genesis 22:8). Every other person would fail to please God, whereas Jesus pleased the Father in everything He did. While He did miracles, and healed the sick, ultimately He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of this world. He chose to lay down His life for us! What a wonderful saviour!

In verse 41, Andrew approached his brother and said “We have found the Messiah! (Christ)” – Andrew realised that Jesus was the man who had been promised throughout the Old Testament. He was the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies. His birth, life, death and resurrection all perfectly fulfilled the prophecies of old. The Jews have no excuse for not knowing who Jesus is; they are looking for a man to do exactly those things which Jesus did.

Phillip told Nathaniel that he had found “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”. How sad it is that so many people today still come to this conclusion. That Jesus was simply the son of a carpenter, growing up in an evil city such as Nazareth. He was NEVER the son of Joseph! When Jesus was 12, Mary and Joseph had just found Him in the temple, and she said “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” Jesus replied “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:48-49 ESV). Jesus didn't acknowledge Joseph as His dad, but only spoke of His Heavenly Father’s work. The virgin birth which meant He had no earthly father allowed for Him to have the sinless life which was required for a perfect sacrifice. One without “Spot or blemish”.

For the sixth name, Nathaniel had a complete change of heart. The sort that can only be done by the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced this change for yourself? When you no longer saw Jesus as the son of Joseph, and instead realised He is the “Son of God”?! A sinless man growing up in a sinful city. I wonder what the people of Nazareth thought about Him? So many didn't think highly enough of Him, because they didn't believe on Him.

Nathaniel also called Jesus the “King of Israel”! This is what the Jews were looking for, a king to deliver them from the Roman oppression. What they didn't realise, was that first He must suffer, but soon He will come to reign. Once He has been to rapture His own believers (taken to Heaven), He will establish His kingdom on earth, and will finally reign as “King of kings, and Lord of lords”.

Finally, at the end of the chapter we have a name which sums up so much that is wonderful about the Lord Jesus. He referred to Himself as the “Son of Man”. Paul writes to the Philippians and tells them “Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant  and coming in the likeness of men.” (Phil 2:5-7 ESV). The Son of God, who made all things, sustains all things, controls all things, humbled Himself. He chose to come into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh, to lay down His life for us. What a wonderful saviour we have!

Which title or name of the Lord Jesus do you value and appreciate the most? Or what picture of the Lord in the Old Testament do you keep on your mind the most? Feel free to leave your comments below.

May God bless you as you remember the Lord today, and may we think highly of Him!

Remember you can follow this blog on facebook at www.facebook.com/ODCAO where you can see posts, leave comments and meet other Christians from around the world. Lets walk the Christian journey together.......it makes it more enjoyable!

SECURE

Hi. Time for another blog I think. Don’t know about you lot reading them, but I’m enjoying writing them.

Back in November, I spent a Saturday with my family visiting some of the castles in Northumberland. We didn’t go into any of them. Didn't hear the history of them. Didn’t even visit the gift shops! Oh no. My brother had a new camera, and they were his ‘subjects’ to practice on. However, I did take some photos of my own, which I've used for this blog. It’s Bambourgh Castle in Northumberland (England)

I couldn’t help thinking of the description of God, which I found was in Psalm 18 (as well as 6 other places in psalms) “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” There is no one who can provide as much security to us as the Lord Jesus Christ.

When a person becomes a Christian, by confessing their sin (disobedience towards God), and believing in the sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they are described as being “In Christ”. Here’s just a few simple thoughts about the benefits of being in that “SECURE” position.

The first thing I noticed about the castles, is that they were all set up at a height. Usually they had a moat, steep mound up to the walls, and other strategic defences. For anyone to make an attack, they would have to go up high to the castle. If we are enjoying the benefits of being “blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph 1:3) as we should be, and are trying to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1), the devil would have to raise his game to attack us! Sadly in my life, he often doesn’t need to try too hard to distract me, cause me to sin, or just rob me from enjoying my spiritual blessings. I know what to do; I just don’t do it enough.

Secondly, they all had slots for the castles archers to launch a defence towards the advancing enemy. Am I stretching an illustration too much to suggest that we should be using the Word of God to attack the enemy’s advances? Whenever the Lord was tempted in the wilderness, he used the Word of God against him. When we’re tempted to sin, its good if we know the bible to quote to ourselves, and remind ourselves what it is God has commanded us to avoid.

Thirdly, have you seen how thick a castle’s walls are? You’d need an awful lot of firepower to break through. If you were on the inside of the walls, you’d have a certain feeling of security. A true believer has full assurance that once they are saved, they can never be lost. It’s not because of the type of person they are, but the person they are trusting in. No matter how hard the Christians walk is, and how downbeat they can get, it’s always important to remember that “nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8). How comforting is that?? The devil, our failures in the flesh, the world itself, cannot remove us from the love and position of safety of Jesus Christ.

Finally, so many castles have survived numerous invasions, and are still around today. No matter how many times you have failed the Lord, He will always be faithful! He will always protect us, because the “God who cannot lie”, has promised “there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus”!

If you aren’t a Christian and you’ve found this blog, let me lovingly warn you that the bible says “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3v:36) If you haven’t trusted the saviour, you aren’t under His protection. It’s the same as facing the war yourself and ignoring the safety of the castle. There is no more SECURE place to be than in Jesus Christ!

I’m sure you can all think of other verses which give you assurance. Why not list one or two in the comments section for others to read and be encouraged by? God Bless.