‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 5:10

I recently read a disturbing article which has alerted me to the times we are living in.

This was the headline: London Street Preachers Convicted of Quoting the King James Bible. Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell, two British street preachers, have been convicted of a public order offence after quoting parts of the King James Bible. The prosecutor claimed that quoting the KJV should “be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter.” The article went on to report that the prosecutor Mr. Jackson also said, “To say to someone that Jesus is the only God is not a matter of truth. To the extent that they are saying that the only way to God is through Jesus, that cannot be a truth.” The two were found guilty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

Matthew 24:9 says; ‘Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.’ Jesus doesn’t need defending as he can do that himself. However, scripture is clear that a time would come when people would be openly persecuted for their faith. Matthew 5:10 supports this statement; ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’

Reading news like this could make you easy feel discouraged, especially, if like me, you already struggle to talk openly about your faith. However, the bible is full of hope: In the same book of Matthew a few verses later in both cases, we read;

‘but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’ (Matthew 24:13-14)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ (Matthew 5:11-12)

Jesus is coming back sooner than when we first believed. Isn’t that great news?!

Heritage Singers sing ‘All to Jesus.” Click on the picture to listen.

April 13-14 - Denial

“This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord, He answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”…John 21:14-16 Berean Study Bible ·

A young man, I'll call him Lew, and his friends, all in their early twenties, were in Chicago some years back on a day when Martin Luther King had organised a Freedom march scheduled to go through a blue-collar area of the city – a neighbourhood called Cicero.

Agreeing 100% with Doctor King's mission the friends said, "Absolutely, I'm in!" They all crowded into a high school gymnasium to listen to an amazing motivating speech. With a swell of pride they looked forward to participating in the march the next day.

That night Lew had a reality check. They were gathered into a room and told what to expect if they made the decision to march. Violence was anticipated. Threats had been made and were considered dead serious. It was expected that bricks and other missiles would be thrown at them; previous marchers had landed in hospital and death was not out of the question. Did they still want to join the march?

Lew tossed and turned that night in bed. How committed was he really? Was he willing to die in a strange city and neighborhood for a cause not his own? Lew was no longer sure. Lew learned a lot about himself that week. He learned that courage flows out of a heart that has made up its mind in advance of a challenge to it. He learned that it's easier to talk the talk than walk the walk. It humbled him. He no longer took courage for granted. (Hannah's Cupboard)

How like Peter and the other disciples this was, and so like us. O yes, it's easy to swear our love, commitment and loyalty to God, but when the chips are down and we have to put our words into action - step up to the plate, or are there embarrased silences, or words of denial coming from our mouths?

The time had come. The so called 'trial' was in progress. The crowds who were in Jerusalem for the Passover, and had lined the roads waving palm leaves, throwing them in His path, crying Hosanna....”They took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!" - John 12:13 now denied Him, calling instead for the release of Barabas – Barabas, a murderer, in exchange for the life of the Son of God, the Messiah.

Herod washed his hands in denial of Him. The disciples in denial ran away, and now Peter, the one who had sworn allegiance, even unto death denied his Friend, his Lord.

Fear drives us to do things we never thought we would do. Peter feared the suffering and ridicule that might come with being associated with Jesus. If we’re honest with ourselves, we often fear the same thing. We become afraid of what others may think or say about us, so we keep quiet when friends make fun of Christians. We fear our association with Jesus might cost us a promotion at work, so we stay silent about our faith in the office.

Peter was sincere when he said to Jesus, Lord, I know where you're going--you're going to die, and I'll lay down my life with you. And Jesus understood that. He said, Peter, thank you. But before the morning breaks, you will have denied me three times.

Over the time spent with Jesus, Peter's manner of speech would have changed from the rough languaged fisherman of the past, and it was this that identified him as one of Jesus's disciples. Immediately Peter reverted to his past crudeness and began to swear to add emphasis to his denial that he was one of Christ's group. Do we do this? Does our courage desert us after all the promises we have made to the Lord? When confronted do we squirm and become embarassed – not for us you understand, but out of concern for the person's feelings speaking to us? Or so we like to believe.

Judas betrayed Jesus; Peter denied his Lord. What is the difference between these two men? What is the difference between betrayal and denial?

Jesus had already explained this. He said Peter had already been bathed and needed to wash only his feet. Judas had never been bathed and had never opened his life to Jesus. Peter had dirty feet but a clean heart; Judas had an evil heart of unbelief, though perhaps an outward walk of apparent morality. And that is the sort of person who will betray Jesus. Both Judas and Peter knew if they repented the Lord would welcome them with open arms – arms that on the Friday would open to be nailed to the cross, welcoming the whole world to “Come unto me....” Matthew 11:28.

Jesus calls us back as well. His invitation may come through promises in the Bible, a prayer answered or a phone call from a friend. Jesus always welcomes us back, no matter how far away from Him we walk. Are you denying knowing Jesus in any area of your life? What’s one fear that might be driving your denial? Can you remember a failure that was so dramatic and so tearful for you that you hardly need to be reminded of the feelings? As dark and as deep and as tragic as your failure may be, He is willing to go to the depths of it with you. As Betsie ten Boom writes, “There is no pit so deep but that He is not deeper still.”

Look back at Luke 22. After the surprising warning of Satan’s attack, Jesus gave Peter a statement of fact: “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” Then there was a veiled reassurance: “And you, when once you have turned again . . .” Then a final command: “Strengthen your brothers” (22:32).

How did Jesus prove that love and forgiveness for Peter, and for us? Mark 16:6-7 answers that question. After the Resurrection, while the women were standing at the tomb, an angel told them:

“Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter.” (emphasis added)

Isn’t that great? “Don’t forget Peter, (and you and me). He’s the last one who thinks that I’ll ever want to talk to him again. Tell Peter!” What Amazing Grace!

That is the title of the music for today, “Amazing Grace.” Click on the picture to listen.

^‘4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ Matthew 24:4-8

Aren’t you relieved that the power of life and death isn’t in your hands? I know that sometimes you may want it to be, for example when the bus driver pulls off from the stop when he can see you running for the bus. Or when you order something online and it comes mashed up with no return address. The list could go on.

Only today after reading about the Stockholm truck attack suspect who confessed to his deed, I felt a rush of injustice sweep over me and questions like; whilst I do not condone killing, if he felt so upset over an issue then why didn’t he just kill himself? Why kill innocent people who just happened to be passers-by? This world is really getting to be an unsafe place regardless of the country you find yourself living in.

When you read stories like that then other stories like the boy who committed suicide because his ‘girlfriend’ pretended to fake her own death as a prank, you have to despair. He was only 11.

The bad news is that things are going to get worse before they get better. Matthew 24:8 reminds us that ‘All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ But we are not to lose heart, as the last part of John 16:33 states clearly ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’

Jesus has already won the battle, be of good cheer. Tell someone of God’s love today and help to spread the good news of his soon coming.

Wintley Phipps sings ‘Jesus is coming again.’ Click on the picture to listen.

‘Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;’ 1 Peter 1:13

I have an admission; the thought of witnessing about my faith used to scare me. Irrational as that might sound to some of you especially those champion ‘ingatherers’, just the idea of talking to a total stranger about what I believe used to causes me to feel anxious and nervous especially the initial contact. Some people are naturals when talking to strangers; I am not.

So that was when I decided to do something about it. The turning point came actually when I walked past a faith group standing near my place of worship. Although, by UK law, they were not permitted strike up a conversation with me, they were still there smiling, even urging me to say the first word. I didn’t, instead I thought to myself “…umm, looking at the possible age of the two ‘silent preachers’ I have probably been in church longer than the both of them. Why can’t I show more courage?” That was all it took.

I researched what I perceived as my weaknesses about my faith and asked God to find opportunities for me to share it. The first one came when a lady walked into my church during Sabbath school and needed someone to talk to. Without hesitation I was there.

Have you ever considered that we know more that we realise. Waiting until you know everything well… that day will never come, but you will miss all of those opportunities God gives you to share about his love.

Why not take that step today? Gird up your loins.

Ron Winans and friends sing ‘We must work’. Click on the picture to listen.

April 8-9 – Precious days

"Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him — even those who pierced Him. And the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.…Revelation 1:7.8

At some time in our own lives we have faced those “last hours” with our loved ones – that last meal with time running out, running away from us. I well remember the wrench of seeing my parents standing at the gate, fade into the distance as I drove away. There was so much we too wanted to say to those we were leaving behind. The desperation to tell them how much they were loved – how we would miss them – the reason for us having to leave – to care for each other until the day we would return - reassurance that they would remain in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers – that we had made provision for their care and future, they would never be alone....

Just one week left, and so much to do, so many miracles yet to be performed, so many loved ones to see, so many faithful followers to receive words of affirmation, and urgent advice to be left behind – advice that would ensure the future spread of God's Word. Perhaps of most importance is the reassurance that the coming events of the next days had been agreed between J esus and His Father before Creation. God knew the choice Adam and Eve would make that day in the Garden of Eden when tempted by the devil. Events of the week ahead would be the fulfilment of prophecy. It was also vital that it would be on record that it was all His own choice – He didn't have to die. At any time He could have backed out, but if He had, we would have had no hope – no forgiveness, no future, no eternal life....just death.

The humanity of Jesus is revealed in His need to be with family and friends. Precious hours spent in the Bethany home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus – Lazarus who had been resurrected by Jesus – proof positive that Jesus has the Power and is the Resurrection and Life. As Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and they talked over their meal, did they fully understand the meaning of the events of the next few days....so very few days?

Did Mary, mother of Jesus, recall that the baby she gave birth to was the Son of God and this was His destiny.... ”The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” – John 12:12-15.

Imagine the anguish in Christ's heart as He looked at His family and friends. Passover Day would be His last opportunity to spend time alone with them, to share a meal and instill in their minds that His death would not be the end, just the beginning. that after three days He would live again.

Certainly the disciples didn't understand, despite the fact that Jesus said “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” - John 12:27,28. “Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end....” - John 13:1

What was the comfort Christ endeavoured to get through to His family and friends at that Passover meal? I will be betrayed (John 13) The betrayal is all the more horrendous coming after the footwashing in which the depth of Jesus' divine LOVE is revealed. Once again we see Jesus deeply agitated as he bears witness: I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me (v. 21). He has been agitated with anger at death (11:33) and in anguish over his own coming death, which will mean separation from his Father for the first time (12:27). In both cases LOVE causes the disturbance--the LOVE for his friends at Lazarus's tomb and the LOVE for his Father. Here also his anguish is caused by great LOVE--the LOVE he has for his disciples, including his betrayer. (BibleGateway)

Throughout our lives, one way or another, we all will have 'gethsemene moments. Times and events when we feel we can no longer face the future, but, as Christ told His family and friends that Passover night....

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” - John 14:1-4

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” - John 14:6.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever”....John 14:16

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” - John 15:12.13

Gethsemene and Golgotha are a breath away.

My Life is in your Hand [ lyrics ]By Kathy Troccoli is Bryn's music selection today. Click on the picture to listen.

April 6-7 – Greater love....

"And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see”. ---1 Peter 1:4–5 TLB

The death camp Auschwitz became the killing centre during WWII where the largest numbers of European Jews were murdered by the Nazis. One Christian man who died here became a martyr to the truth of evils of Nazism - a true hero for our time, a saint who lived what he preached, total love toward God and man ...

Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish priest who died as prisoner 16770 in Auschwitz, on August 14, 1941. When a prisoner escaped from the camp, the Nazis selected 10 others to be killed by starvation in reprisal for the escape. One of the 10 selected to die, Franciszek Gajowniczek, began to cry: My wife! My children! I will never see them again! At this Maximilian Kolbe stepped forward and asked to die in his place. His request was granted ...

Inevitably, the community came under suspicion and was watched closely. Then in May 1941 the friary was closed down and Maximilian and four companions were taken to the deathcamp Auschwitz, where they worked with the other prisoners. 

One day an SS officer found some of the heaviest planks he could lay hold of and personally loaded them on the Franciscan's back, ordering him to run. When he collapsed, the SS officer kicked him in the stomach and face and had his men give him fifty lashes. When the priest lost consciousness the Nazis threw him in the mud and left him for dead. But his companions managed to smuggle him to the camp infirmary - and he recovered. The doctor, Rudolph Diem, later recalled:'I can say with certainty that during my four years in Auschwitz, I never saw such a sublime example of the love of God and one's neighbor.'

In order to discourage escapes, Auschwitz had a rule that if a man escaped, ten men would be killed in retaliation. In July 1941 a man from Kolbe's bunker escaped. The dreadful irony of the story is that the escaped prisoner was later found drowned in a camp latrine, so the terrible reprisals had been exercised without cause. But the remaining men of the bunker were led out.

'The fugitive has not been found!' the commandant Karl Fritsch screamed. 'You will all pay for this. Ten of you will be locked in the starvation bunker without food or water until they die.' The prisoners trembled in terror. A few days in this bunker without food and water, and a man's intestines dried up and his brain turned to fire.

The ten were selected, including Franciszek Gajowniczek, imprisoned for helping the Polish Resistance. He couldn't help a cry of anguish. 'My poor wife!' he sobbed. 'My poor children! What will they do?' When he uttered this cry of dismay, Maximilian stepped silently forward, took off his cap, and stood before the commandant and said, 'I am a Catholic priest. Let me take his place. I am old. He has a wife and children.'

Astounded, the icy-faced Nazi commandant asked, 'What does this Polish pig want?'

Father kolbe pointed with his hand to the condemned Franciszek Gajowniczek and repeated 'I am a Catholic priest from Poland; I would like to take his place, because he has a wife and children.'

Father Kolbe was thrown down the stairs of Building 13 along with the other victims and simply left there to starve. Hunger and thirst soon gnawed at the men. Some drank their own urine, others licked moisture on the dank walls. Maximilian Kolbe encouraged the others with prayers, psalms, and meditations on the Passion of Christ. After two weeks, only four were alive. The cell was needed for more victims, and the camp executioner, a common criminal called Bock, came in and injected a lethal dose of cabolic acid into the left arm of each of the four dying men. Kolbe was the only one still fully conscious and with a prayer on his lips, the last prisoner raised his arm for the executioner. His wait was over ...

In Melbourne, Australia's second largest city, stands an impressive memorial—a constant reminder of horrors past - Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, built to commemorate Anzac Day.

In the middle of the floor of the main chamber is an open square, surrounded by wreaths. The inscription at the bottom of the square reads, “Greater love hath no man,” in crisp, golden letters. On November 11, Remembrance Day, at exactly 11 o’clock, a ray of sunlight filters through the roof and illuminates one word: LOVE.

The phrase sums up the sacrifice the Anzacs made for peace, for their homes, families and friends, the reason for the memorial, for the ceremonies and for the days of remembrance. Anzac Day—in Australia and New Zealand—has always been a great occasion to remember the sons, brothers and fathers lost to war and to celebrate the mateship we pride ourselves in.

When the motive is driven by love, to give one’s life can be the greatest gift. In the horror of war, we can imagine the hand grenade falling into our trench full of our brothers and sisters who find themselves in a fate assigned by the evils of the world. There is no time to think, but only to act. No one should have to fall on that grenade to save others, but someone will, and did, out of the habit of LOVE.

In the quote “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13*) Jesus speaks to His disciples, not only predicting His imminent death and sacrifice but also exhorting them to lay down their own wilful selves and become loving servants and friends.

This phrase can be seen repeated on war memorials around the world, and behind them lie the stories of those who willingly laid down their lives for their friends – you, and me. They sacrificed their lives to give us peace and safety in ours on this earth. But no-one has sacrificed as much as the one Christ made on our behalf when He left His Father in heaven to put the Plan of Redemption into action.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus did not go to Jerusalem to preach; Jesus went to Jerusalem to die. He didn't have to die; he chose to go to Jerusalem. He understands that He must offer His life to complete His mission. For Jesus, to be obedient to God’s will, even to experiencing suffering and a fierce, brutal death, was not a sacrifice, but an act of LOVE – He died in our place. Jesus said, “There is no greater love than this, that someone should lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends. . . .”
But why did he choose to leave His Home in heaven in exchange for birth in a filthy cattle stall to die in the prime of life when He didn't have to? One word and His Father would have taken Him straight home. “Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven.” the life of the Creator of the world was put on the line in order to redeem us and give us eternal life

No, He didn't have to die. He chose the suffering, humiliation and indignity of death on the cross because He couldn't bear to return to heaven and spend eternity without us – His friends – and He did it because He LOVES us.

“Written in Red” sung by David Phelps is my music choice – a moving rendition of LOVE. Click on the picture to listen.

March 31-April 1 – What's your smell?

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ...” James 1:2-12 ESV

It is said that the olfactory system of some animals is far more advanced than ours. I was the blessed owner of a border collie dog, and I well recall that he could sniff out a tasty titbit at a thousand paces. That I could understand as food of any sort emits an odour.

Certain illnesses also emit a smell that attracts the attention of dogs. A two-year-old girl was recently diagnosed with leukaemia thanks to her dog who noticed she had been acting strangely and would not leave her side. The parents of Philippa Wood noticed their border collie Bessie had been acting strangely around their daughter and that the dog would not leave her side. This led Paula and Philip Wood, from Brotton, North Yorkshire, to see something was wrong and a few days later she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

It has also been said that animals can smell fear, but what about emotions? what would something like, say, self pity smell like? Not that I could see them being interested in something they can't eat or have fun with.

Actually, what does self pity smell like? and what is the effect it has on US? It begins by presenting itself as something sweet - nauseatingly sweet. Self pity seems pretty harmless but it is insidious and cruel and should be cut out without mercy like a cancer. We feel justified in our feelings – badly done to, so consequently we nurture it, basking in it's smelly emotion. Once we realise what it is doing to us, and to our relationships we attempt to break away, but it lurks around like a stalker, hoping to make some tiny inroad back in. But our answer must be NO.

Self-pity tends to strike when things are going poorly in our lives, or when disappointments come. The last thing we want at those times is a superficial cheering up – platitudes, and to be told that as Christians we should display a smiling face and repeat “Praise the Lord!” after every other sentence. Come on, get real, can they honestly say they have never been there?

What does the Bible have to say about this? Ecclesiates has a lot to say - a little cynical and pessimistic you might say? But that's what I like about it. No platitudes or sweet syrupy clichés.

Ecclesiastes has a different tone or feel than other books in the Bible. Listen to the first words in chapter 1: "'Meaningless! Meaningless!'" says the Teacher. "'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'" Verse 8 says; "All things are wearisome, more than one can say." Here's verse 16; "For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten." And listen to this; "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other." (6:14)

When life is hard Ecclesiastes comes along and tells it like it is. He doesn't pretend that everything is sweetness and light. He doesn't pretend that good always triumphs over evil or that there is always a happy ending.

This doesn't discourage me, Rather, I feel encouraged when I read this book. I like the fact that God put it in there. It means He understands how we feel and He doesn't expect us to pretend in either our feelings or thoughts. To me it means that God is real. Because He is real, I can be honest with Him and pour out all that I am going through and all that I feel. Yes, I like that very much. Preach it, brother!

We must stand firm at the first whiff of self pity. Refuse to cultivate all the little scenarios about how unfair life has been or "what if…" or how justified we are to feel sorry for ourselves. Reject it from our lives, and seek God's help and grace to remove it completely.

When you are filled with self pity, who is at the centre of your world? You are! Not God who should be. What is the fruit of self pity? Lack of trust in God, despondency, discouragement, the victim syndrome, anger, resentment, wasting of time, and on and on. I can't think of one good thing that comes out of self pity.

Today's music choice is Bryn's - “Help is on the way”sung by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Click on the picture to listen.

March 30 – Breaking ice

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” – Isaiah 1:18

One night, just before I climbed into bed, I peeped through the curtains and caught my breath – the gardens and houses had been transformed into a white winter wonderland. Everything was covered in a deep layer of pure, white, snow. That night it was a beautiful sight, but with the falling outside temperature I knew that by the next morning the soft snow would be white, glistening, covered with a hard crust of treacherous ice. That would take some effort to clear the driveway. According to knowledgeable neighbours, it meant having to break away the top crust of ice first to be able to get the shovel down to the base and lifting it away.

This reminds me of the times I have hurt someone's feelings. I knew I owed them an apology – I had offended them, hurt their feelings, and undermined them. Yes, it was unintentional, but that didn't make it right, but at times, the apology just got stuck in my throat.

Do you find it hard to say "I'm sorry"? When you do or say something that offends, even unintentionally. Do you avert your eyes, harden your heart and go on in silence? Is it even harder if the person is in your own circle of family and friends, someone who by all rights should be treated better than an acquaintance?

Maybe it's the same thing as the crust of snow is what happens to our hearts when we can't quite bring ourselves to get "I'm sorry" out of our mouth. A hard crust is created. A little freeze occurs which, if not dealtwith immediately, can turn into a glacier over time. Think how long it takes for a glacier to thaw. Our lives are much shorter, so it's best not to allow it to build up, pack down, and become a slippery hazard for all of your life.

Work to keep that hard stuff broken up so your heart will remain soft, and your loved ones will remain just that....loved and loving you. When it's difficult to sincerely apologise, and the words stick in your throat, swallow hard and push them out anyhow. Each time you do, it will become easier because there is no layer of crust to go through.

Maybe the person on the other side of the apology, the ones you have hurt, will experience a softening too. Whether they do or not, YOUR heart is clean and soft like freshly fallen snow. Go ahead, you can do it. Break through that crust today!

For music today I have chosen, “Create in me a Clean Heart O God” - by Marantha singers. Click on the picture to listen.

March 25 – Who validates you?

“Open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs to be done: He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.” Psalm 37:5-6 (MSG)

Everything a man does is a search for validation The question is not “if” a man is seeking validation, but, “where is he seeking validation from? Our heads tell us that God validates us with the love and sacrifice of His son. But, do our hearts and behavior reflect that? To validate something is to “give it official sanction, confirmation, or approval.”

What makes us feel that we have value and worth? It is inbuilt in us to want validation, the feeling of having significance. The problem is, we try to get our validation from what we think we can control or manage, and avoid things we can't control – such as people, work, friends, accomplishments or our spouse. We plonk the onus on them, and they become our 'worth' barometer. We end up always trying to please people, and control situations. We stop believing that we have any real value or significance in the world. This results in killing our hearts, or trying to control the people in our world by killing them with kindness, wearing ourselves out by managing everything by ourselves. The problem is, we're also keeping God at arms length, and missing out on God’s love and acceptance – the key to value and significance. How does God validate us?

Terry Boyle, (Insight for Living) tells of a chance meeting with a stranger. This man had a theory about human nature, and they soon struck up a long conversation. He went through the traditional list of water, food, and shelter, but believed that even more important than these for human existence is, validation. His point? “We all long to know we are worthwhile, that our lives mean something, that we live a worthy life, a valid life.”

A non-Christian, he pressed on to tell Terry Boyle how Terry's own faith works. He said, “you work hard to live a life that makes you worthy to be allowed into heaven.” Breaking in Terry said, “Nope, you have that exactly backwards.” What the stranger was describing was nit Christianity, but Pharisaism – not the same thing.

Terry went on to explain. As a Pharisee you put in the effort because you believe it gives you prestige in God's eyes. You learn the rules, you follow the rules, and when you get it right, you praise yourself as bing worthy. It's all aboiut you – you don't owe God a thing, in fact, He owes you – your place in paradise is secure because you bought the ticket yourself – you can't be denied, you worked hard for it – you are self-validated.

A lot of people seem to have the same idea about how our faith works, but, what does the Bible say?.

• He made you in his image and delights in you. – Genesis 1:27 ; Zephaniah 3:17

• He stubbornly loves you even when you are unlovable. – John 3:16

• God is for you not against you. – Romans 8:31

• His plans for you are good. – Jeremiah 29:11

• He has given you unique gifts, talents, and strengths. – Romans 12:6

This is validation. Any good standing we have before God isn't the result of our work, it's the result of His. Take time to look up the following Bible quotes: Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:22; John 6:28-29; or, 1 Peter 1:5

What do we do with this information. These passages feel warm and overwhelming, but how do we own them? How do we begin to believe them in a way that it will change our behavior?

Look up the scriptures, print them or write them out. Put them on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. Put them in your pocket, purse, in your car or in your office. Meditate on them by reading them quietly in your heart and prayers. Let thoughts and questions come up. Ponder your questions as you read and re-read these scriptures in the light of the truth they present.

I am convinced we will all begin to know God and ourselves in a more intimate way as you mediate on them, ponder them, and let them soak into our hearts.

As Terry Boyle told the stranger, our places in heaven don't depend on our lives being worthy. They depend on Jesus Christ's life being worthy – we subscribe into this worthy life through faith. By joining our unworthy life with His, through faith, God does the work of validating us. We don't have to scramble for it, or work at being worthy for God to love us. He already does. He sent His Son to prove it (John 3:16).

(Acknowledgements Bible Gateway and Inisght for Living)

“For you He left the Ninety-nine” - today's music. Click on the picture to listen.

March 24 - What Voice Do You Listen To?

"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  Isaiah 30:21

When health circumstances enforce a period of rest from our normal life activities, the conflicting voices that invade our minds come over far clearer as they vie for our attention. The question we have to answer is – which voice do we listen to? As I had this in mind, I came across the article below, by John Ortberg, posing the same very personal question to me....”What voice do you listen to Shiella?

Danny is a sky-diving, mountain-climbing, hang-gliding thrill-seeker, but in the cave he felt sheer panic. He was terrified. He tried fighting his fear, but he kept picturing his dead body moldering in the cave. Finally, he told his guide he was about to lose it, and the guide said, “Danny, close your eyes and listen to my voice. I will keep talking, calmly, and guide you through this. We will be okay. I have been here before. I will get you to the other side. But you must listen to my voice. It will not work for you to let your thoughts run wild. Just focus on my voice.”  Danny did so. What freed him from panic and fear was not trying hard to quit thinking fearful thoughts. It was listening to another voice.

What voice do you listen to when you’re in the cave and it’s dark, when the ceiling is low and you can’t back out? The Spirit longs to flow in our minds all the time. One reason why people have found memorizing Scripture helpful is that it helps us listen to the voice of our guide when we are in the cave. We set our minds on those thoughts that equip us for life. God does not want us to live in worry or fear. He wants us to live with bold confidence in his power. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

In the Bible, we see a pattern in which God rarely sends people into situations where their comfort level is high. Rather He promises to be with them in their fear. It is God’s presence — not comfortable circumstances — that brings people to the best version of themselves.

Paul said that when we live in the flow of the Spirit, he does not make us timid, but instead gives us power and love. This is not the only place in the Bible where we see a close connection between receiving love and living in power. The apostle John makes the same association in one of the most famous statements in the Bible: “There is no fear in love... perfect love casts out fear.”

When we live in the flow of the Spirit, we let the perfect love of God wash over us until our fear begins to leave. Modern science has confirmed what John wrote so many centuries ago. Love and fear are literally incompatible in our bodies. God wants to love you — and in loving you, to cast out your fear.

Jesus was facing adversity when he told his followers that if they had faith, they could command a mountain and it would be cast into the sea. When my focus is on the mountain, I am driven by my fear. When my focus is on God, however, I am made alive by my faith. But if I did not have the mountain, I would not know that faith could be in me.

Use your imagination to picture being shepherded by the Lord in green pastures beside still waters. Is there any room for fear?

“Listen (the voice of God)” - today's music. Click on the picture to listen.