MAY 22-23

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it's perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” - James 1: 2-4

We're a fickle, inconsistent lot where faith is concerned, aren't we? We sing “My faith looks up to Thee”....until the bills become due and we don't have the money to pay them, we lose our jobs, our health breaks down, or a loved one dies – be it sudden or after long drawn-out suffering. We have faith for a week – a month or two, but what about one year? Two years? Maybe even the rest of our lives?....that's another story.

In the text above, James is more or less saying that faith is rather like muscles – if you don't endure with the exercises, your faith will become flabby and eventually fail to work. Faith is built up bit by bit. Don't run away when things go wrong. Don't escape! Don't give up!

Consider the list of examples of faith highlighted in Hebrews chapter eleven, and how they illustrate that faith is built up and exercised over a lifetime – ordinary people, making progress one day, and putting their foot in it the next – just like me and you.

Noah was a farmer who went into the boat building business...120 years before his act of faith was fulfilled. Abraham, 'just a businessman,' raised by adolatrous parents – think of the faith he showed when called to sacrifice his son! Then there is Joseph, a slave with a prison record, who clung to his faith, despite the treatment he had received from his brothers in the past. He became a prime minister. Moses was a shepherd working for his father-in-law out in the desert. He didn't do a thing that was spiritually significant for eighty years. And what about Rahab, Rahab the harlot-the prostitute. Coming from that background, she was still entered in the Bible as a woman of faith.

Where faith is concerned the odds are always going to be overwhelming, otherwise there's no need to trust.. For each of these, their muscles were strong from perseverance. They each experienced the 'ups and downs' of life, just as we do....the falls, the set-backs when faith became flabby. But they didn't give up. These are the kind of people God is searching for. People who act in faith. People whose lives are being turned right side up through perfect trust.

Let us learn to say, “Lord, this is Your battle. This is Your need that You allowed me to trust You for. And I'm waiting for You to do it. I'm willing to wait as long as necessary for You to do the impossible in my heart and life.”

Our music today is Bryn's choice, “I'm Not Giving Up” - (LIVE) Click as usual on the picture to listen.

MAY 21

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge” - Psalm 91:4

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a vivid picture of God's protection.

Following a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up the mountain to assess the damage caused by the inferno. One of the rangers came across a bird that had been literally petrified in the ashes. The bird was perched picturesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Disturbed by the eerie sight, the ranger knocked the bird over with a stick. As it fell, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. Keenly aware of the impending disaster, the mother bird had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and protected them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze arrived and the heat scorched her body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she was willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.

This so reminds me of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Day by day, and moment by moment, we receive His protection. He could have fled to safety, but chose to stay and die so that we might live.

“Under His Wings” - Sisters is our music today. Click on the picture to listen.

May 19

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

Today’s’ blog is short but I trust pertinent.

Do you ever get tired? I know that I do. There is the reality of growing older and the body not recovering as quickly as it used to. But the tiredness I am speaking about isn’t necessarily the physical one, more mental fatigue.

You know, trying to remember to do all of those little but vital chores in the day that are important but you haven’t written them down. Why? Because you thought that you would remember them. How easy it is sometimes to take short cuts because of tiredness. As long as no one is harmed and your integrity is still in tact then it’s ok – but is it?

Galatians 6:9 reminds us that we must ‘not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.’

So they key here is not to lose heart.

Those exams that you are tired of studying for - do not lose heart.

That purchase you are tired of saving for - do not lose heart.

That soul you are still praying for - do not lose heart.

For in due season - we will reap.

Hosanna Music sing 'Don't grow weary in doing well.' Click on the picture to listen.

May 18

'Let your light so shine before men...' Matthew 5:16

A reporter once said to Joe DiMaggio, the famous baseball player, 'You always seem to play with the same intensity. You run out every grounder and race after every fly ball, even when the Yankees have a big lead in the pennant race and there's nothing on the line. How come?' DiMaggio replied, 'I always remind myself that there might be someone in the stands who never saw me play before.' That's the kind of unselfish mindset you must maintain in order to influence others for good and for God. It takes energy and intentionality, whether one-on-one or in a group, but it pays dividends.

Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, was drawn to Christ because he'd listened to His teachings and observed His works from afar. He may have come to Jesus at night to avoid ridicule, but the fact is, he came because he couldn't stay away! (John 3:1-21). The Bible says you're '...a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you...' (2 Corinthians 3:2 TM). Today someone is watching how you handle problems; how you treat your family and your employees; how you act when the boss isn't around; how you respond to criticism or temptation. Don't disappoint them.

Jesus said: 'You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven' (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV).

UCB April 2015

Todays song is an old classic by Amy Grant 'Angels watching over me.' Click on the picture to listen.

MAY 15-16 – Who called me?

“…Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, "Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place” - 1 Samuel 3:7-9

I love reading biographies, especially those that recount unexplained incidents. The biography of Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall is one of these. In the biography 'A Man Called Peter, Cathrine, Peter's wife, recounts a strange incident that happened to Peter early in his life.

Peter was over here in England, working in the village of Bamburgh, sixteen miles from the Scottish border. Peter had spent the day visiting in a nearby village, and by the time he set off for Bamburgh, it was a dark starless night, and on foot, Peter had to make his way across moorland. If you've ever experienced the density of darkness on moorland at night, you'll know that it's a blackness that is almost tangible – so dense that no visible paths or signs can be seen – the nearest experience one can have to being rendered totally blind. This was the situation Peter was in.

Suddenly he heard his name; “Peter!” There was real urgency in the voice. “Yes,” Peter replied, stopping and listening. Getting no reply he carried on, gingerly feeling his way, step by step. Suddenly, the voice came again, even more urgently; “Peter!!” He stopped dead still – the darkness was impenetrable, and he stumbled and fell on his knees. Reaching out his hand to steady himself, there was nothing there. Cautiously he began to search around, his hands covering a semicircle in front of him, to find he was on the very brink of an abandoned stone quarry – one more step and he would have plummeted to his death.

There was never a doubt in Peter's mind about the Source of the voice. He was convinced that God had a purpose for his life, and had protected him from certain death.

Stop and think, how many times can you recall unexplained events in your life? Times you have decided to travel a different route, to find later that had you gone your normal way you would have been part of a road accident? Or, mind full of what you have to do, you step out to cross the road and feel a hand pulling you back? When we are in danger God's voice is persistent – but are we listening?

Today's music is 'Calling Me' – Gaithers (LIVE). Click on the picture to the right to listen.

MAY 14 - I Must Tell Jesus

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” - Psalms 42:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” - Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever felt worried sick about something? Desperate for a listening ear? Friends and family are either too busy to listen, or just plain don't understand.

In the town of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Elisha Hoffman met that problem face-to-face. Born in 1839, Elisha's father was a minister who taught his son to love the Lord from an early age.

Well educated in the sciences and classics, Elisha worked for eleven years in the Evangelical Publishing House. Life – was good – then tragedy struck when his young wife died. Strong in his faith he returned to Pennsylvania and devoted thirty-three years service to pastoring Benton Harbour church.

One day, out visiting his parishioners, he called at house, and immediately gained the sense that the woman in front of him was searching and needed to talk. Hoffman had scarcely said “hello” before the woman began to pour out her pent-up feelings. Hoffman spent time with her, listening and counselling. Finally, he got up, leaving her with his last words....”You must tell Jesus – tell the Lord exactly the words you have told me.” It was as though a light had been switched on....”Yes, that's it, that's the answer I needed. I must tell Jesus!”

On his way home these words ran round and round in Hoffman's mind. He received no peace until he sat down at his desk and began writing....I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.”

Hoffman lived to the ripe old age of ninety, living, preaching, and teaching, “Tell Jesus.” During those later years of life, Hoffman also wrote other well-known gospel favourites - “What a Wonderful Saviour;” “Down at the Cross;” “Are you Washed in the Blood?” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” and two thousand more hymns, as well as editing fifty song books.

Depression is not class conscious, it respects no-one, and can strike out of the blue. Being told to 'snap out of it,' or, 'pull yourself together,' is more a hindrance than help, and will probably bring about the reverse of what the advice intended.

When friends and family are all 'listened out,' tell Jesus, He'll listen. He'll understand. He won't judge you. Trust Him, and tell Jesus.

Our song today is “I Must Tell Jesus” - Sanchez. To listen, click on the picture - 'urgent call to heaven.'

May 12

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 2 Timothy 6:17-19

How many millionaires do you know? According to research carried out last year by The Telegraph, London has the biggest collection of millionaires in comparison to any other city in the world. One in every 35 people is a millionaire.

"It is the main financial centre in Europe and for wealthy people it is one of the best places to live in the world.” The Telegraph

I tried to rattle this figure, 1:35, around in my head. So in a church with a congregation of 200 people, 5 would be millionaires. Unfortunately in reality it doesn’t quite work like that, there are instances where you can see large numbers of millionaires in one place. At a football Premier league match.

Premier League footballers earn £2.3 million a year each on average, or £43,717 a week and there are 6 London Premiership clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Spurs, West Ham and Watford have just replaced QPR). If you consider that in each squad there are up to 25 players, that is a lot of millionaires that people pay to see kick a ball each week. Only 2 years ago New York and Tokyo outranked UK’s capital city but thanks to a record £5.14bn TV rights deal, the Premier League is soon going to see the best of the best football players coming to play in the UK not for the competition, but for the money.

Now suppose I told you that within 6 weeks you could be a millionaire? Seriously, I met nine today. Not money but word millionaires. The ‘word’ millionaire is a short-term reading intervention program first piloted in UK primary schools in 2007, which challenges students with the help of their parents to collectively read a total of one million words over a period of six weeks. Studies show that students who read for pleasure do better in all their subjects at school, not just in English.

Do you think you could become a bible millionaire? I really think you could do it. If the results show that there is a better engagement in academic studies, just think what that would do for your personal devotion? There are so many apps and books on line that count how many words you read. I am going to challenge myself – join me.

The Tennessee Harmony Boy's sing 'Im a millionaire'. Click on the picture to listen.

May 11

‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’ Matthew 24:14

What is media? The first definition a quick Internet search pulled up describes it as,

‘The main means of mass communication (television, radio, and newspapers) regarded collectively.’

How many forms of media do you use? Television, radio, the internet, newspapers, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn, Messenger, Pinterest, WhatsApp are just the immediate ones that spring to my mind although there are many more. The vast array of images and information that can be shared though this medium is colossal and at times frightening.

As a child when I read Matthew 24:14, I envisaged missionaries stepping into brave new territories and preaching the love of Jesus to new audiences. Whilst this is still the case, the reality is that effect use of the media makes reaching people in far off lands less of a challenge for the non-travelling missionary. In fact you could have your own mission field sitting at your computer or smart phone.

It seems hard to believe that commercial email only became popular in the early 1990s, but since then the mainly free service has almost replaced letter mail and the fax. The tools to send, receive and research information is more accessible than probably was imagined only 50 years ago. The chain letter has been replaced by the ‘text forward’, that in turn has found its way to WhatsApp and so the cycle continues.

So, how do you use the media tools you are plugged in to for evangelism? What do you forward, do you vet what you share? Today share the good news of Christ’s second coming as someone whom you know may not know, and then shall the end come.

The title of this song 'Each one reach one', by Babie Mason, ought to be our motto.

MAY  8-9 - Three Lessons

"Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him and to loose the loins of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: "I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.… “ - Isaiah 45:1-3

Telling others about the God we know and love is high on the agenda of every believer, and many dedicate the whole of their lives to this end. Chuck Colson was such a man.

Chuck was invited to speak to the inmates of San Quentin prison, a facility renowned for it's toughness and violence of it's 'residents.' Undeterred, Colson made his plans. It was arranged that three hundred of the prison's two thousand two hundred inmates were to meet in the chapel to hear him preach. Just days before his arrival however, a chache of weapons was discovered. The prison was immediately put on lock-down, with prisoners confined to their cells. (To see the conditions Chuck faced in visiting San Quentin, go to Youtube, and enter 'San Quentin Lock-down' – the atmosphere of violence is tangible).

Arriving at the prison chapel, Colson found only a few men with special privileges had been assembled. Chuck's heart sank, but he went on, thinking if worst came to worse, he could shorten his sermon, but it was then he noticed a video camera had been set up, and it occurred to him that perhaps the intention was to film the sermon and stream it to the prison library, so he made the decision to give it his best and all.

Later, in conversation with the chaplain he commented how disappointed he felt that he had been unable to address the three hundred men, as planned. The chaplain replied: “Didn't you know? Because of the lock-down, the administration agreed to video your sermon. They'll be showing it tomorrow to all the inmates in their cells via CCTV., and again in the afternoon.

In fact, over the following weeks, the sermon was aired not just twice, but nearly a dozen times. Because of the lock-down, not just three hundred, but all two thousand two hundred prisoners heard the gospel.

Colson said he learned three lessons from the incident:

Mother Teresa is right. God calls us to faithfulness, not to success.

When our goal is to change society, we often fail. When it is simple obedience to God, He blesses our efforts more than we know.

We shouldn't grow weary in well-doing, we will reap a harvest.

Chuck Colson dedicated his working life ministering to Americas most violent prisons and inmates He never again under-estimated the power of God to smooth the way before him.

"So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” - Proverbs 3:4-6

“When Life Gets Broken” sung by Sandi Patty (with Heather Payne) is our song for today.

MAY 7 - Look on the Bright Side

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives life to the bones” - Proverbs 15:30

We have the power and ability, with just a smile, a word, or a touch, to bring happiness and joy to the lives of others – they're lifted up, encouraged. Th Amplified Bible translation of this verse says, “The light of the eyes of him whose heart is joyful rejoices the heart of others” - Proverb 15:30. And the Message Bible says, “A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle” - Proverbs 15:30

This is the real meaning behind the famous children's story Pollyanna, written by Eleonore Porter. Spawning a whole line of books, Pollyanna sold over one million copies. The book was dramatised and later made into films and a BBC production. The word 'pollyanna' became a part of American vocabulary, and Webster's Dictionary defines it as “someone who is excessively happy.”

There lies the problem. Today when we think of a pollyanna, we think of someone who is happy to the point of denying reality. But if you recall, the story doesn't picture Pollyanna in that light at all. It's a tale about a little girl whose parents, missionaries, died, leaving her orphaned. Her only relative, an unpleasant, severe aunt took her, reluctantly, to live in her home.

Pollyannas favourite word was “glad,” and at every opportunity she loved to play her “Glad Game.” Every moment of every day Pollyanna found something positive to be glad about – no matter how bad the situation.

Pollyanna's cheerfulness eventually won over her aunt, transforming her into a pleasant, loving woman – in fact, the whole town became a different place – Pollyanna's cheerfulness brought joy to many hearts. But the question behind the story is, what lay behind Pollyanna's optimism?

Well, like so much early fiction, this book was written from a Christian perspective. This comes through clearly in a chapter in the middle of the book, where the town minister is discouraged to the point of resignation. Things hadn't gone well at church. Members were critical, bickering, and divisive. Pollyanna came across him in the woods where he'd gone to decide the way to go.

Noticing the ministers depressed expression. “I know how you feel, father used to feel like that too, lots of times. I reckon ministers do – generally. (My father) grew mighty discouraged until he found his rejoicing texts.” “His what?” “Well, that's what father used to call 'em. Of course, the Bible didn't name 'em that. But it's all them that begin, 'Be glad in the Lord,' or 'Rejoice greatly,' or 'Shout for joy,' and all that, you know – such a lot of 'em. Once, when father felt specially bad, he counted 'em. There were eight hundred of 'em.” “Eight hundred?” “Yes – that told you to rejoice and be glad, you know, that's why father named 'em the “rejoicing texts.” Father said that if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it. And father felt ashamed that he hadn't done it more. After that, they got to be such a comfort to him, you know, when things went wrong, like the time the Ladies Aiders got in a fight. Why, it was those texts, too, father said, that made him think of the “Glad Game.”

Pollyanna's cheerfulness wasn't an air-headed escape from reality. Instead it was a simple child-like faith, learned from her father, trusting God and rejoicing in all life's ins-and-outs, and ups-and-downs.

What about us? How many 'glad texts' do we know? When frustrations and problems hit us, do we sink with the problem? Or do we play the 'Glad Game?' Here are three of my favourite texts:

“This is the day the Lord has given, let us be glad and rejoice in it” - Psalm 118:24

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord” - Psalm 122:11

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You” - Psalms 5:11

Try it – it really works!

This song is full of “Happiness” - sung by Ken Dodd (1964). Click on the picture of Pollyanna's aunt before her transformation.