¹⁵ At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. ¹⁶ So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. ¹⁷ To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. ¹⁸ At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. ²⁰ In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. Daniel 1: 15-20

It is my observation that the Seventh-day Adventist Church no longer preaches that the Catholic Church is the mark of the beast as bible prophecy denotes in the books of Daniel and Revelation. It is never a popular message to polarize or marginalise any segment of modern society especially since new laws worldwide have places the LGBT agenda at the top of most political arguments.  Presidents and even the current Pope have sought to unite ‘all’ people in the spirit of unity. In fact the Pope is now classed as the most popular leaders in the world.  Personally I think it shows not only the perilous state that they we are presently living in, but also the vast amount of information that is out there that most people don’t see because it is not headline news.

There is so much information that we now have access to at the push of a button. It wasn’t too long ago when to get information about world events you would have had to be able to read a broadsheet newspaper. Not anymore, as if you can afford a smart phone then you have the means to capture and share information, stories, news and events as they happen live across media platforms once only accessible by the military or media moguls. We have to be so careful of what we read as the sources for what is on the internet are quite often hidden along with so many conspiracy theories of the millions that have become ‘authors’ on the web.

However, there can be no real substitute to reading your bible, studying God’s word and living out Christian principles like Daniel and his friends. Let us get back to the word and share God’s word like it was our daily food.

Michael W. Smith sings ‘Jesus is the answer’ by Andre Crouch. Click on the picture to listen.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not die, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

On this Easter Monday where we are mindful of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus gave when he went to the cross and rose again on the third day, I am reminded of a story Elder Amos Liburd told when he recently preached at our church. His sermon was entitled ‘God needs more pigs’. He told us that his would make sense at the end of the sermon and so like the rest of the congregation, I was indeed intrigued until the end. This was the story

 A Chicken and a Pig lived on a farm. The farmer was very good to them and they both wanted to do something good for him. One day the chicken approached the pig and said, "I have a great idea for something we can do for the farmer! Would you like to help?" The pig, quite intrigued by this, said, "of course! What is it that you propose?"

The chicken knew how much the farmer enjoyed a good healthy breakfast. He also knew how little time the farmer had to make a good breakfast. "I think the farmer would be very happy if we made him breakfast." The pig thought about this. While not as close to the farmer, he too knew of the farmer's love for a good breakfast. "I'd be happy to help you make breakfast for the farmer! What do you suggest we make?" The chicken, understanding that he had little else to offer suggested, "I could provide some eggs."

The pig knew the farmer might want more, "That's a fine start. What else should we make?" The chicken looked around...scratched his head...then said, "Bacon? The farmer loves bacon and eggs!" The pig, very mindful of what this implied, said, "That's fine, but while you're making a contribution I'm making a real commitment!"

Like the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary, we need to make a commitment not just a contribution to Christian living. If we make that change today, we are one step closer to where Jesus we would have us to be.

Our music today is a choir favourite by the 19^th century composer John Stainer, ‘God so loved the world.’ Click on the picture to listen.

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.   Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.   He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.   Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,   as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.   Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.   (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)   Then the disciples went back to where they were staying -John 20:1-10

but the stone was rolled away.  In response, the disciples came running to see what had

turn your despair into hope.

The joy of this hope is expressed in today's music - "Hallelujah, We Shall Rise!"  Click on the picture to listen.

March 25-26- Silent Saturday

“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day [is] the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work [therein]: it [is] the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings” - Leviticus 23:3.

Jesus is silent on Saturday. The women have anointed his body and placed it in Joseph’s tomb. The cadaver of Christ is as mute as the stone which guards it. He spoke much on Friday. He will liberate the slaves of death on Sunday. But on Saturday, Jesus is silent.

So is God. He made himself heard on Friday. He tore the curtains of the temple, opened the graves of the dead, rocked the earth, blocked the sun of the sky, and sacrificed the Son of Heaven. Earth heard much of God on Friday.

Nothing on Saturday. Jesus is resting silently. God is silent. Saturday is silent.

Easter weekend discussions tend to skip Saturday. Friday and Sunday get the press. The crucifixion and resurrection command our thoughts. But don’t ignore Saturday. You have them, too.

Silent Saturdays. The day between the struggle and the solution; the question and the answer; the offered prayer and the answer.

Saturday’s silence torments us. Is God angry? Did I disappoint him? God knows Jesus is in the tomb, why doesn’t He do something? Or, in your case God knows your career is in the tank, your finances are in the pit, your marriage is in a mess. Why doesn’t He act? What are you supposed to do until He does?

You do what Jesus did. Lie still. Stay silent. Trust God. Jesus died with this conviction: “You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Acts 2:27 NIV).

Jesus knew God would not leave him alone in the grave. You need to know, God will not leave you alone with your struggles. His silence is not his absence, inactivity is never apathy. Saturdays have their purpose. They let us feel the full force of God’s strength. Had God raised Jesus fifteen minutes after the death of His son, would we have appreciated the act? Were He to solve your problems the second they appear, would you appreciate His strength?

For His reasons, God inserts a Saturday between our Fridays and Sundays. If today is one for you, be patient. As one who endured the silent Saturday wrote: “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7 NKJV).

Acknowledgements Max Lucado.

Music today is, once again, by the Gaither Vocal Band - “The Night Before Easter” - LIVE.

March 24 – Facing Friday

But no one struggled more than Jesus. People called him a liar, beat him with sticks, and plastered his face with spit. They yanked chunks of flesh from his back with a hook-tipped whip, crucified him naked in front of family and friends.

What few friends there were….when falsely accused, no one defended him. When he stumbled beneath the weight of the cross, it was the soldiers who pulled Simon from the crowd and forced him to carry the cross - no-one else came to help him (Matthew 27:32).

When hung up to die, no-one attempted to rescue him.

How did Jesus endure such an ordeal?

Here is how Jesus turned a day of suffering into Good Friday. “…for the joy set before him, [Jesus] endured the cross.” (Heb. 12:2 NKJV).

Jesus faced his Friday by looking into eternity. By making Heaven bigger, his pain became smaller. Follow him through Friday and listen in on his thoughts.

Daybreak: He tells his accusers, “The Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Mighty God” (Lk. 22:69 NIV). Matthew’s Gospel adds these words: “In the future you will see the Son of Man…coming on the clouds of Heaven” (Mt. 26:64 NIV).

When interrogated by Pilate later in the day, Jesus’ mind still lingers in Heaven. “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn. 18:36 NIV). Jesus kept lifting his eyes upward. “You would have no power if it were not given to you from above” (Jn. 19:11 NIV).

Sooner or later we all face Friday's in our lives....broken relationships, redundancy, bereavement, illness. Jesus faced His Friday by facing eternity, with the surety of Sunday and the Resurrection. Do we do likewise? Do we allow Heaven to grow in our hearts, minds and lives, knowing that come Sunday our struggles will lessen.

Gaither Vocal Band sing a rendition of an Easter song of love - “Written in Red” - LIVE. Click on the picture to listen.

‘For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.’ 1 John 5:7

I found an old cassette tape. For those of you who remember what one of those are it was a TDK D-C90. After a garage clear out I then found an actual working tape cassette player to be able to listen to it. It was a concert recorded over… well a long time ago, and I was singing a trio with my sister and a friend. To be honest I couldn’t bear to listen to it as no one likes to listen to their recorded voice that I know of.

The thing is that I recognised the song but I had no recognition of performing it. Along with the entire contents of the 90 minute cassette, it was as if my memory had been erased (which is what I am thinking of doing with this artefact!) But it was definitely me, I have no doubt about it.

Even if we lose our memories over time, there is one above who is taking note of our actions. Revelation 21:27 tells us,

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

It is not uncommon, especially in the movies, for someone who has committed a crime to plead insanity or a momentary loss of their senses, blackouts as they are known. This plea quite often gets them a lesser sentence or some case, with a help of an expensive lawyer, they walk free, guilty but free.

Let us strive to do right not because someone is looking or we fear judgement, but because it is the right thing to do. We may forget, but God keeps a record ultimately to remind us that He is just and fair.

Paul Baloche sings ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ Click on the picture to listen.

Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

The creator of a fake prayer website, which sold prayers to customers for payment, has been forced to pay restitution of up to $7.5 million to customers he swindled. Benjamin Rogovy, from Seattle, created the for-profit company Christian Prayer Centre (CPC) which sold prayers to 125,000 customers for $9-$35 per prayer.

Rogovy created a fake pastor named John Carlson who allegedly ran the website. Rogovy even created a LinkedIn profile for Carlson, describing him as “Senior Pastor, Christian Prayer Centre, January 2009-present.” Rogovy also used the name Eric Johnston as a supposed leader of the company.

The website included "fictitious testimonials from consumers using stock photos that claimed they successfully prayed to avoid home foreclosure, deliver a healthy baby, win the lottery, obtain negative results of an HIV test and put cancer into remission." Rogovy is being forced to pay back all the money he took under false pretences to the victims of the scam.

I was shocked, no stunned to read this story. Doesn’t everyone know that prayers are free? Apparently not. As Christians we should not only be praying at all times but sharing with people the power that is available to all freely. Have you told shared the power of praying with someone lately? Think about it, prayers are not expensive because Jesus has already paid the cost.

‘Just a prayer away’ is sung by Jaci Velasquez. Click on the picture to listen.

March 18-19 - Control freak

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” - 2 Timothy 1:12

We've all met them – perhaps WE are one – control freaks? I'm not talking about the type of control freak that thinks they know a better way to run everyone's life than the individual living the life! No, the habitual, hidebound worrier is where my mind is. The individual who makes worrying a profession, because worry is essentially a control issue. It’s trying to control the uncontrollable.

We've just had the Spring Budget go through Parliament, and before it was read we knew we couldn't control the economy, so we worried about the economy. Now it's been read, we worry about the cut-backs. We can’t control our children, so we worry about them....what will become of them if they don't change? We can’t control the future, so we worry about the future – how can things go on in Europe as they are much longer? What if I lose my job and can't keep up with the mortgage? What if the Health Service collapses under it's weight and my health, or my family's breaks down....etc....etc? But worry never solves anything! It’s stewing without doing.

Jesus gives us four reasons why we don’t need to worry in His Sermon on the Mount. Rick Warren puts them this way:

1. Worry is unreasonable.

Matthew 6:25 says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (NIV)

Jesus is saying, if it’s not going to last, don’t worry about it. To worry about something you can change is stupid. To worry about something you can’t change is useless. Either way, it’s unreasonable to worry.

2. Worry is unnatural.

Jesus gives us an illustration from nature in Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

There’s only one thing in all of God’s creation that worries: human beings. We’re the only things God has created that don’t trust him, and God says this is unnatural.

3. Worry is unhelpful.

It doesn’t change anything. Matthew 6:27 says, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

When you worry about a problem, it doesn’t bring you one inch closer to the solution. It’s like sitting in a rocking chair — a lot of activity, energy, and motion, but no progress. Worry doesn’t change anything except you. It makes you miserable!

4. Worry is unnecessary.

Matthew 6:30 says, “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” (TLB)

If you trust in God, you don’t need to worry. Why? Because he has promised to take care of all your needs: “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

Just reading these four reasons re-confirmed to me that that includes our bills. Includes the verbal and emotional tugs-of-war we have with friends and loved ones. Includes our dreams, goals and ambitions. Includes the health and financial issues we don’t know what to do with.

Yes. God will meet all our needs in Christ. He holds our future in His hands.

Don’t worry about it!

Music choice today is assurance that no matter what our worries may be, all will be well because

“I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” - LIVE

March 17 – Never too late!

“Now here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the LORD promised me that day long ago.” (Joshua 14:10b-12a NCV)

If you’re going to follow God’s calling on your life, you’ve got to believe it’s never, never too late.

Joshua sent 12 spies into the Promised Land, when they returned they reported that the land was too hard a place for God’s people to settle. Because of their unbelief, they were destined to wander around in the desert for another 40 years, and, as a result, an entire generation died because they did not believe in God’s promises. But Caleb and Joshua believed, and lived.

When the Israelites returned to the Promised Land 40 years later, Caleb was 85 years old and living his second chance. He said, “Now here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the LORD promised me that day long ago” (Joshua 14:10b-12a NCV).

“Give me the mountain country.” I love that! The land Caleb wanted was full of giants and cities fortified with great walls. He was saying to God, “Give me the biggest assignment. Give me the hardest city. Give me the place with the biggest giants. Give me the mountain regions. I don’t want some easy place. I know I’m 85 years old, but I’ve still got it in me to do great things for you.”

People today are living longer. Take a look at the card section of any supermarket, and you'll see an entire section that offers birthday cards for the 80^th, 85^th, 90^th, 95^th, and even 100^th birthday! As a child I didn’t see those kinds of cards, it made the headlines if they reached 80!

Some of you think it’s time to hang it up your boots. No way, it’s time to get them down and dust them off! Do you think God’s going to let you live 30 more years just to play golf?

Here’s a word that’s not in the Bible: retirement. You may stop working, but you keep serving the Lord. You have more wisdom and experience now, and God's not going to waste that.

At the age of 85, Caleb began the greatest mission of his life. He wasn't prepared to sit comfortably and watch the world go by. Moses was 80 when God called him to set God’s people free. Abraham was 79 when he received God’s call. Despite their ages these men were physically active, but what about poor health? Frail bodies, declining abilities? Ministry has little to do with what we can or can't do. Ministry is about God working through us – Simeon and Anna are proof of this (Luke 2:21-38). Maybe God has that in mind for some of us?

If you are in the Caleb generation, you have to believe that it’s never too late to start on your life calling. The best is yet to come!

Scott Allan Matthews sings “Wherever you Lead” for today's music. Click on the picture to listen.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Having a lot of time on my hands at the moment a friend sent me this. It makes interesting reading. Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogues, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly! Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work! It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families and friends. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes? Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke? You be the judge.

Our song today is ‘Written in red’ by the Gaithers. Click on the picture to listen.