APRIL 17-18 – Confidence

“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come....shall be able to separate us from the love of Gof, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” - Romans 8:38.39.

I love that passage. I love to hear it, read it, and I love to contemplate the depth of it's meaning – never more so than at those times when the clouds roll in, and situations arise that are beyond my control.

The Bible tells us of many ordinary people who faced problems of one sort or another. Two of these were, Mary. Mary knew what desperation was like, she had been used, abused, and rejected by many men. Yes, Mary was a “lady of the night.” (John 7:53-8:11). The woman at the well also had a chequered sexual history (John 4:) - five husbands and living with yet another man. Both women felt defeated and worthless. If at times you too feel that way, read Romans chapter eight.

The chapter begins with the proclamation that there is “No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 RSV), and ends by declaring that salvation is a free gift from God to all, and that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from God's love.

In between there is packed assurance after assurance to encourage us through the bad times in our lives, the times we do things we deeply regret afterwards. We are God's children and have the promise of future glory....He works out all things for our good. Nothing or no-one can break this bond and come between us and our Saviour – He makes us more than conquerors.

What more can be said? In Romans eight Paul continues to hammer home, pound down, and almost SHOUT one of the Bible's greatest teachings – we cannot be losers if we choose to maintain a faith relationship with God through Jesus. Wow, that's powerful stuff?

But Paul isn't done. In our Scripture (top of the page), he again stamps home that we are secure and safe, nothing, but nothing shall be able to come between us and Jesus, no matter what our problems and trials may be.

Jesus didn't reject either Mary, or the Woman at the Well - just told them to go and put their lives in order....sin no more. Mary was later to anoint the feet of Jesus, and be the first person to see Him after the resurrection.  The Woman at the Well?  she became the first evangelist, spreading the good news of the Messiah to the town that had rejected her. 

Let us never forget that our confidence and assurance lies, not in our frail, fickle love for God, but in His love for us – steadfast and sure. Our hope is to “hang in there” by faith – never let go of God, and victory lies ahead!

Acknowledgements to George Knight.

Music for today is “Nothing Between” sung by Samanthia Cassidy

APRIL 16 – Yes!!!!

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you" – Genesis 28:15

I'm sure we can all recall the day we passed our driving test and was given that confirming piece of paper – the excitement, sense of achievement, and freedom that lay ahead. Julia C. Mahon felt exactly the same, so much so that she wrote this prayer:

'Because of a little piece of paper, today is a very special day. This world suddenly belongs to me in a way it never did before. I also belong to it in a new way.

That child pedalling his bicycle along the road – I see the years of love and sacrifice that brought him to this place. I realise the incalculable heartbreak if some accident should befall this child.

The man approaching me in the pick-up truck is a very ordinary looking man. But doubtless he is the heart and mainstay of some nearby home.

The old lady glancing about hesitantly before crossing the street is elderly, slightly stooped, walking with studied care. How precious these late September days must be to her.

God make me alert that no action of mine may darken or shorten the life of one of your people.

Let us always make it our habit whenever we drive, before we switch on the engine and select the gears, to send up a prayer that God will be behind the wheel with us, keeping us safe, and ensuring that we too, will cause no harm to others. Every life is precious. We are not our own. We were all bought with a price.

JD Sebastian performs today's music choice - “Keep Me Safe, Oh God.”

April 14

^'In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.' Colossians 1:14

Have you ever thought why me? Why is it ALWAYS me who... gets the blame, gets lumbered, does all the work, goes unappreciated, always falls down after trying so hard? Does that sound like someone you know or maybe you feel like that?

I know that Jonah felt like that when asked to go to Nineveh.

'But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.' Jonah 3:3

David must have felt like that after the Priests at Nob had been slaughtered because of his deceit.

'So David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father’s house.' I Samuel 22:22

Saul, even with a new name (Paul) must have had moments when he had to face the fact that even though he was now a disciple, his reputation as a killer of disciples would cause him obstacles.

'And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.' Acts 9:26

I could go on with Moses the murderer, Peter the betrayer, Cain the killer. In fact the bible is full of people who fell and had their guilt spilled out and recorded for all to read. If that were the end then what hope would we have?

But fortunately that is the very reason why Jesus came, to put away all guilt and self-loathing - because he paid the price for all our sins.

'In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.' Colossians 1:14

Remember we cannot DO anything to please God or indeed even to get to heaven, Jesus has already paid the price.

All we have to do is remember 1 Peter 5:7. The Amplified bible puts it this way.

‘Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.’

Be encouraged, that is why we are all human.

 

Todays song I stumbled across and in fact prompted the topic for todays blog. It is by an artist called Mandisa and is called 'Not guilty.' Click on the picture to listen.

April 13

 '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.' John 14:3

There is something expectant about springtime for me. Maybe it’s seeing the early buds pushing their way out of the branches. Maybe it’s the young shoots excitedly peering through the soil to a new world. Maybe it’s the cool wind being warmed by the sunshine, encouraging the young birds trying to fathom how to glide. Most of all for me it’s the promise that there will be a summer, another season; which ultimately will lead to a harvest.

I was blessed by a brilliant sermon Sabbath gone on the second coming of Christ. It reminded me of the promise which most Adventist Christians can recite, found in John 14:3

 ^‘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.’

Well, we know the first part of this verse is true. Mark records it in Mark 16:19

¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God

Which correlates with the account of Paul in Acts 1:9

⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

So then, because we know Gods word is true, like the changing of the seasons, we can be sure that Christ will return. Isn’t that a wonderful promise? Like the promise of the rainbow in Genesis 9:13-15

¹³ I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. ¹⁴ It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; ¹⁵ and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

The blossom of early spring is yet another reminder that God will come back for a waiting and watching people. Let us plan to be ready.

The acclaimed soloist Wintley Phipps reminds us of this event with his stunning performance of 'Jesus is coming again.' Click on the picture to listen.

APRIL – 'Home' goal

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you" - Genesis 28:15

When you have been alone and facing a traumatic or demanding situation, have you had a sense that you're not alone. Perhaps one of the most arduous situations of modern times was faced by Sir Ernest Shackleton and two friends as they were crossing the bitter, icy wastes of Antarctica.

Blinded by blizzards, frozen with cold, and weak from exposure, they pressed on towards their goal. And out of that seemingly hopeless expedition came one of the greatest object lessons to all who become weary as they tread a path of duty – follow a commitment made, and can't turn back.

'Ernest Shackleton's Trans-Antarctica expedition of 1914 - 1917 is one of the most incredible adventure stories of all time. It is remarkable even for an era and region that already has far more than its fair share of incredible tales of heroism and fortitude in the face of appalling hardships.

The intention was to cross the antarctic continent from one coast to the other via the south pole. in the event, the expedition never set foot on continental antarctica. the expedition managed to survive the loss of their ship in the middle of the antarctic pack ice at a time when there was no chance of contacting the outside world, let alone of being rescued. (http://www.coolantarctica.com)

It is a classic tale of leadership and heroism.'

Shackleton wrote: “When I look back on those days with all their anxiety and peril, I cannot doubt that our party of three was divinely guided, both over the ice and across the storm-swept sea. I know during that long and wracking march....it seemed to me often that we were not three, but four. I said nothing to my companions on the point, but afterwards Worsley said to me, 'Boss, I had a curious feeling on the march that there was another person with us.'”

I guess there would be many sceptical people who concluded that they were suffering from Arctic fever, but this feeling is not delusional. It is apparent that these men gained their courage and heroism from a deep trust and faith in God – an innate belief that, no matter what dangers lay ahead, God was watching over them and they had nothing to fear. I can recall times in my life of deep need and fear I was facing alone, when the presence of another Person by my side was tangible, so real I have reached out to touch them. I'm sure you too have had similar experiences, with the incredible feeling of calm and peace that comes - like a warm blanket round the shoulders on a cold night.

We too are on an expedition – earth to eternity. The path is not always easy as the blizzards hit us. At times we fall into a crevasse and we can see no way out, but we know we are not alone. God walks beside us giving support and encouragement. We will reach home.

Today may we resolve to always walk with Him by our sides. We serve a wonderful God!

I have chosen “Footprints in the Sand” - sung by Leona Lewis as our music today.

APRIL 9 – Reflections

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” - Deuteronomy 6:6-9

A few weeks ago I heard a commotion going on outside in the street. It was early morning and parents were taking their children to school. To say one mother was irate is an under-statement. It wasn't just the level of anger aimed at the child who was lagging behind and crying that troubled me, but the choice of language the mother was using. It was obvious to all that that was one unhappy home, and what a terrible example to a child; how could that child be expected to grow and respect her mother?

This all came back to mind yesterday as I was reading a book and came across the following:-

Today is here. I will start with a smile and resolve to be agreeable. I will not criticize. I refuse to waste valuable time.

Today has one thing in which I know how I am equal with others – time. All of us draw the same salary in seconds, minutes, hours.

Today I will not waste my time, because the minutes I wasted yesterday are as lost as a vanished thought.

Today I refuse to spend time worrying about what might happen. I am going to spend my time making things happen....

Today I am determined to do things I should do. I firmly determine to stop doing the things I should not do.

Today I begin by doing, and not wasting my time. In one week I will be miles beyond the person I am today.

Today I will not imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different – I will make success with what material I have.

Today I will stop saying “If I had the time,” for I never will “find time” for anything – if I want it I must make it.

Today I will act toward other people as though this might be my last day on earth. I will not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.

Unknown author.

There is one more “Today” I would add to this....

Today I will show my child, in words and actions, the love that God has for them. My example will let them know they are a precious, special gift from God. Nothing will escape my lips that will hurt or demean them, and affect their walk with Jesus.

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” - Matthew 18:6

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” -.
Psalm127:3

Today's song is food for thought - “Do They See Jesus in Me?” - sung by Joy Williams.

April 7

'Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.' 2 Timothy 2:15

Sometimes what we have been led to believe is actually not true. That was me today. Now I will admit that I do not remember who I heard it from or indeed when, but I was absolutely convinced that the crossing of your fingers, like the picture, was a negative action - even linked with the occult. When I voiced it, I was very pleasantly surprised that I could not have been further from the truth. Now if you know this already please indulge me.

To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture commonly used to implore God for protection. The gesture is referred to by the common expression "keeping one's fingers crossed" or just "fingers crossed" and has also been historically used in order to allow early Christian believers to recognize one another during times of persecution.

I learned something today through a first a correction and then a few seconds of investigation on my smart phone. It isn’t that difficult, if you live in the western world, to get your hands on information. Gone are the days of scrolling through microfiche at your local library or waiting for the book, that you ordered in specially, just to read a couple of pages.

Now I know that most Christian churches do not believe that Jesus was actually born on Christmas day December 25^th. Nor are they sure of the calendar day of the crucifixion of Christ. I have heard many stories as to why Easter is celebrated but do you know what it really means, as in the origins? It is even Christian? We owe it to ourselves, and our witness to others, to find out. Sometimes this reading is just the beginning...

Danny Ray Harris sings a beautiful song 'The stone that rolled away'. Click on the picture to listen.

 

April 6

‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.’ Exodus 20:8-10

The majority of the Christian world worship on Sunday, the first day of the week. It is for them, their Sabbath. They worship with sincerity and conviction and probably most of them have never considered that they might be doing anything wrong. But they are.

One of the pillars of the Seventh-day Adventist church is the seventh-day Sabbath. Mark Finley suggests that there are four ways.

1. The Bible: It clearly reveals that Jesus was crucified on the Preparation day (Luke 23:54). His closest followers rested as commanded on the Sabbath day (Luke 23:56; Mark 16:1). Most Christians recognize Jesus died on Friday, the Preparation day; He rested the next day, and rose the first day, Sunday. The Sabbath is the day between Friday and Sunday, or the seventh day—Saturday.
2. Language: In more than one hundred and forty languages in the world, the word for the seventh day, which we call Saturday, is the word Sabbath. Language testifies to the Sabbath’s preservation through the centuries.
3. Astronomy: The leading astronomers in the world testify to the fact that the weekly cycle has never changed. Centres such as the Royal Naval Observatory in the U.S. and The Royal Greenwich Observatory in England affirm the fact of a constant weekly cycle.
4. History: The Jewish people have kept an accurate record of the Sabbath. For more than four thousand years, they have preserved the true Sabbath on Saturday.

 

Does it matter on which day as long as you worship?

Clearly it does as Gods uses the critical word ‘remember’ for a reason. If you have not been challenged by the Sabbath truth before, ask some questions of your Elders and Pastoral team. Do you own research and challenge some friends. Above all things read the bible for yourself and be sure to pray before doing so.

The song today is 'The power of your love' sung by the Oslo Gospel Choir. Click on the picture to listen.

"But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place."  Luke 24:21 NRSV

On March 20th 2015 many parts of the globe experienced a solar eclipse - some partial others total.  A solar eclipse is an amazing phenomenon and quite an exhibition of one of nature’s finest moments.  Crowds gathered, armed with protective eyeglasses and cameras, to areas of the earth where they could capture this thrilling spectacle.  Astronomers tell us that a solar eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are in alignment.  In a total eclipse light from the sun’s rays are blocked by the moon so an observer on the earth is able to witness the transition from full light to partial light then total darkness. 

The evolution from light to total darkness has a noticeable impact on nature.   There is a significant drop in the temperature the air becomes chilly.  Animals are sent into a period of confusion believing that the day is over and begin to return to their nests.  Nocturnal creatures crawl out of they habitats and start foraging.  However, the experience is reversed as total darkness makes way for partial light and then the full brilliance of the sun is seen again. 

The imagery of an eclipse has also made its way into pop culture.  The musical artist Bonnie Tyler sang about experiencing a total eclipse of the heart.  The person she loved brought light to her life but his unexpected departure plunged her in emotional darkness and fear.  She likens this darkness to a total eclipse of the heart.  From this darkness she longs to be rescued believing that his return would bring light into her life again.

The interplay and rivalry between light and darkness is a dominant motif in the Bible.  Light very often represents knowledge of God, truth, righteousness that aims to lead to hope and happiness whereas darkness symbolises error, sin and evil, which lead to despair and death.  The disciple and those who had high expectations of Jesus as the Messiah had their light of hope eclipsed when he allowed himself to be arrested by the Roman authorities.  Incited by the Jewish leaders Jesus was arraigned before a mock court and condemned as a common criminal, humiliated, slapped, spat upon, mocked, brutally beaten and nailed to a cross.  It is the most shameful death inflicted on Rome’s worst criminals.

Everything the disciples longed for evaporated.  With no Jesus, there was no restoration of the kingdom and no hope for Israel.  As light faded from their experience and the cold chill of meeting the same fate as their Master engulfed them confusion and fear drove them into hiding from the Jews.  The conversation between the two disciples travelling on the road to Emmaus captured the anguish and pain of their shattered dreams.  ‘We had hoped that he would be the one to redeem Israel’ (Luke 24:13-35).  The darkness of death brought a total eclipse to their grandest expectations. 

It becomes apparent that if the disciples had studied the prophecies and paid close attention to the teachings of Jesus they would have known that the darkness that eclipsed their hope and plunged them into as state of anxiety and fear was only momentary.   The biblical account tells us that Jesus, after being crucified and buried on Friday, defeated the powers of death and rose from the grave Sunday morning.  When the disciples saw their resurrected Lord sorrow gave way to joy, despair turned into hope and what seemed to be darkness broke forth into brilliant light.  They went onwards from that time, not in mourning and loss, but in passionate enthusiasm proclaiming the message of the risen Christ - the foundation of the Christian faith and hope.

The light of God’s love has been partially eclipsed by the darkness of sin and evil.  The loss of light has left human beings in a state of dread, fear, misery and death.  However, the death of Jesus on the cross was designed by God to restore the light of God’s love.  This light brings with it forgiveness of wrongs done and a restoration of our relationship with God.  During this season that seeks to bring the world’s attention to the ‘Passion of the Christ’ the brilliance of Easter is in discovering that if our lives are in alignment with Jesus, the light of the world, the darkness that results from being separated from God will be eclipsed from our hearts.  Why not ask Jesus to fill your life with the light of God’s love today.

Song – "I’ve Just Seen Jesus"

Pastor Sam Gardner

APRIL 2 -Hope

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” - Revelation 21:4

If the resurrection of Jesus was a hoax. If He didn't come back from the grave, alive, that Easter morning, our lives, and the lives of our loved ones who have died, would be meaningless. All we could look forward to is eternal death.

The heart rending pain of saying “goodbye” to loved ones is familiar to us all. Over the Christmas season, the last of my brothers, a neice, and a nephew died, all in six brief weeks. Like all who mourn for lost loved ones, we long for the time when we shall see them again. The events of that Easter long ago, is our assurance. The death and resurrection of Jesus is our hope that life is not in vain – there is a purpose beyond the troubles, pain and partings of the seventy/eighty odd years of our lives. Let us take comfort that the way of the cross leads to God -

'He carried the cross to Calvary,

Carried it's burden for you and me,

There on the cross He was crucified

And, because He suffered and bled and died,

We know that whatever “OUR CROSS” may be,

It leads to GOD and ETERNITY....

For who can hope for a “crown of stars”

Unless it is earned with suffering and scars,

For how could we face the risen Lord

And rightfully claim His promised reward

If we have not carried our cross of care

And tasted the cup of bitter despair....

Let those who yearn for the pleasures of life,

And long to escape all suffering and strife,

Rush recklessly on to an “empty goal”

With never a thought of the spirit and soul....

But if you are searching to find the way

To life everlasting and eternal day -

With Faith in your heart take the path He trod

For the WAY OF THE CROSS is the WAY TO GOD.'

Helen Steiner Rice

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

The promise of Easter is true, sure and certain – “....if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and.... I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Larnell Harris and Sandy Patti are singing for us today - “Then Came the Morning.”