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Thought for September 2nd. “MY SOUL IS BEREFT OF PEACE … BUT THIS I CALL TO MIND” Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

Such are the means of modern communication rarely a day goes past without us hearing some news of events that are causing anxiety – even distress – among believers in some part of the world. We reflected on this as we continued reading Jeremiah’s brief book of Lamentations. It was obviously written after the tragedy of Jerusalem’s fall and the destruction of the Temple.

But today’s chapter 3 – is most remarkable! It contains some great lessons for us – lessons of the perceptions that can come into our minds from God if we truly seek him as Jeremiah did. First, he says, God “has enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation” [v.5] Maybe we can use that word ‘envelope’ in a modern sense and say, can we put this bitterness into an envelope and put it out with the rubbish or into the fire! But how? Jeremiah also says, “my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.” [v.17]

But then, wonderfully, from v.21, his mind climbs out of his depression – and what a wonderful example this is for all who, at some stage in their lives, feel overwhelmed by events. He writes, “But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” [v.25,26]

If you are a young person, note v.27, “It is good for a man (or woman) that they bear the yoke in their youth.” A yoke? That is, be in harness in the service of the Lord and learn that God watches over their lives and knows and can and will direct the path of those who truly seek him. David says in Psalm 142, “When my spirit faints within me, you know my way.” [v.3]

Finally, although there are other verses in this remarkable chapter we would have liked to quote, note v.40,41. “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God …” May we follow Jeremiah’s example, for few have experienced traumas like he did. But, after being totally “bereft of peace” he still knew that “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases.”

Thought for September 1st. “HIS GRACE TOWARD ME WAS NOT IN VAIN” Sep 01, 2024

Show notes

Paul expresses himself from his heart in the above words. After his astonishing encounter with Christ on the Damascus Rd he was overwhelmed by a sense of utter appreciation – followed by total commitment in the service of Christ for the rest of his life. Our oft quoted chapter 15 in Corinthians today – must be read slowly, meaningfully, letting the emotion of Paul’s message sink deeply into our minds. If there is no hope of resurrection then it cannot be true that Christ was raised “and if Christ be not raised your faith is futile.” [v.17]

All around them in Corinth, in this vibrant worldly Greek city, people were sure they had ‘immortal souls’ and that the body was of no value, many found it impossible to accept the teaching of the resurrection of the body (v.12), – the same had happened in Athens (Acts 17 v.32). Today, all around us most humanly ‘inspired’ intellectuals scoff at belief in a Creator! This human message is now being expressed in an ever greater spirit of conviction! Is it affecting us? Is it undermining our convictions?

We need to apply our minds, both to the clear facts of the Bible and also the lessons of secular history, seeing the great upheaval in belief and conviction 1950 years ago as testified in secular sources as well as in the Bible – and declare with Paul with all our hearts, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by man came death, by man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” [v.20,21] and true faithful believers like Paul will one day “bear the image of the man from heaven.” [v.49].

Indeed, in the final days “we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed … at the last trumpet. For the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” [v.51,52] Because Paul is totally concentrating on the reality of the resurrection he does not mention there is also a judgement, but he does elsewhere.( e.g. Romans 2 v.16; 14 v.10) Our chapter concludes with a challenging message beginning with the significant word THEREFORE!

“Therefore, my beloved brothers (and sisters), be steadfast, immovable, always abounding the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” Paul proved that “his grace toward me was not in vain.” [v.10] Let us do the same.

Thought for August 31st. “IN YOUR THINKING BE MATURE” Sep 01, 2024

Show notes

Today we read the completion of Paul’s earnest advice to the Corinthians to cease their misuse of the gift of speaking in tongues, that is, other languages, as had taken place in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). He sets the gift of tongues in contrast to the gift of prophecy – this gift did not give the ability to predict future events, but, as Paul expresses it, “the one who prophecies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.”[14 v.3] and “the one who prophesies builds up the church.” [v.4]. Only one man, Agabus, (Acts 21 v.10) is mentioned in New Testament times, apart from the Apostles, as making predictions about the future.

It is worth noting that Paul says, “I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” [v.18,19]. It is evident that, because of Paul’s widespread travels, he had need to be able to speak in many different languages.

Now note his ‘punch’ line in the next verse, “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” [v.20] The way to be mature today is to prayerfully read the word of God every day, and really think about what you read.. Paul goes on to tell them, “What then brothers? When you come together … let all things be done for building up” [v.26]. If someone did have the gift of tongues they were to keep silent unless there was someone who could give a translation. [v.28] The best procedure in their gatherings was to “let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what was said.” [v.29] How excellent is such a procedure, that of weighing up what is said in Bible Classes and at other times – it is not a matter of having a ‘minister’ who does all the talking and all the rest ,the listening: but sadly that is largely the way in churches today – there is rarely any weighing up of what is said as to whether it is soundly based on the word of God.

The last 2 verses in the chapter tell us, “ … my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.” We have seen that phrase about not forbidding to speak in tongues repeatedly quoted by those who advocate Pentecostalism today! But Paul had written [Ch. 13 v. 8] “as for tongues, they will cease” and the last verse of that chapter name the 3 things that were to abide! Do you possess those 3 things? We must be mature in our thinking – let us all feed ever more zealously on God’s word.

Thought for August 30th. “… THE SAME CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER” Sep 01, 2024

Show notes

The church at Corinth was not functioning very well. Today’s chapters (12 & 13) are about their misuse of the gifts of the Spirit that the first generation or two of believers were privileged to possess – it gave added impetus in the establishment of the church. The word church means the body of believers, not the building. However, God was in control, but they largely failed to realize this.

After listing all the areas of special ability the Gifts created, for example it gave to one “the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge …” [12 v.8], Paul says, “all these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, which apportions to each one individually as it wills.” [v.11]

The point is made again in v.18, “God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as he chose” – just as he chose Paul. The verses before are a reprimand to some of the members for trying to get the Gifts that appealed to them – and tomorrow’s chapter 14 makes it clear that the gift of speaking in other tongues (languages) was sought after – and misused.

It was essential then – and is no less essential today – that true believers have a spirit of teamwork: they must blend their various talents together and become a team, seeing Christ as their “head” . To the Ephesians Paul wrote, “speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way to him who is the head, unto Christ” [4 v.15]

Today there are no supernatural gifts, but God’s inspired messages have now been written down for all to read and absorb into their minds, but the same principles of teamwork will always apply and Paul’s advice is as valid as ever. “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.” [v.24-26] The first church (ecclesia in Gk) in Jerusalem did this, it is wonderful when it still happens among true believers today..

The chapter concludes, “and I will show you a still more excellent way.” The next chapter (13) should be familiar to us with its words about “love” as the more excellent way – it is the cement which binds the body together. It is by acts of love that we show we have “the same care for one another” because “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” [v.7,8] If we really can do that, then what also will never end – will, by his grace, be our lives in God’s kingdom.

Thought for August 29th. “THE HEAD OF CHRIST IS GOD” Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

Today’s chapter 11 in 1 Corinthians starts, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Paul, from the time Christ made himself known to him, had been the ‘role model’ (a phrase often used today) of his life. So many follow strange ‘role models’ today – but the Scriptures have the true ‘role models’ for us – especial Paul and Christ.

We have nearly completed reading Jeremiah, and in several senses he is a suitable ‘role model’ for us as we, like him, during and after the fall of Jerusalem, are surrounded by largely faithless people. In 2 Kings 3 today we see the lack of wisdom of Jehoshaphat, the king from Jerusalem, in trying to work together with Ahab and then his son Jehoram, who, although relatives, only show a token belief in the true God: these are lessons for all true believers.

Paul spells out the line of responsibility and authority. “I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” [v.3] He tells them to “maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.” [v.2] The word “traditions” should not be misunderstood, it applies to precepts of belief and practice that have been handed down, they can be either good or bad; from God or from men. Jesus challenged the bad “traditions,” see Mark 7 v.9,13.

Paul told the Thessalonians, “brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” [2 Thess. 2 v.15] Today we have Paul’s letters and all the other words that God has caused to be written and preserved. An example of a good tradition is the one Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians; when you are praying in your assembly, a woman should cover her head, at least in prayer, and for a man to leave his head uncovered. (v.4-7,13-16).

No one should be “inclined to be contentious” about this, says Paul, [v.16] but sadly his comment to them “that there are divisions among you” [v.18] over many matters has been a factor ever since. But, get the significance of the point he makes, “there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognised.” [v.19]. Today, there are still some, regrettably only a few, who accept the word of God as their authority: this begins by seeing that “the head of Christ is God”. The dogma of the Trinity is symptomatic of all human efforts to ‘improve’ on what God has caused to be written. We must not make that mistake.

Thought for August 28th. “THIS IS THE VENGEANCE OF THE LORD” Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

It is wonderful to see the way the Almighty – our Heavenly Father – loves his creation. But what happens when there is – endlessly – no response to his love, no appreciation of his creation – a total denial that he created it? Our meditations on this arose from our long chapter (50) in Jeremiah today. Much of it is about Babylon and their king Nebuchadnezzar; they were at the peak of their triumphs having just destroyed Jerusalem and many other cities.

The LORD’s words against Babylon contain some of the strongest language of denunciation in the Bible – both in this chapter and ch. 51 tomorrow. We know how the book of Revelation uses the name Babylon (in Hebrew, it is most significantly the word Babel!) to describe the key evil power that is destroyed when God’s kingdom is established. Surely it also represents the world and its leader(s) turning their back on the true God – as at Babel.

In today’s chapter we read, “Set yourselves in array against Babylon … this is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her …” [v.14,15] and – “how the hammer of the whole earth is cut down and broken!” [v.23] The utter drama of Babylon’s final end is seen in the last verse, “At the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth shall tremble, and her cry shall be heard among the nations.” We see a parallel in Rev. 18, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great … for all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality …” [v.2,3] What is this world’s “passion”!? Then v.10, “… you mighty city Babylon! For in a single hour your judgement has come.” We will see tomorrow in ch. 51 the prophecy that the future “Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, making all the earth drunken … therefore the nations went mad. Suddenly Babylon is fallen and been broken …” [v.7,9] The earth is “drunken” with its’ godless self-centredness – nearly all have turned their back on their Creator.

Our 1 Corinthians reading tells us that “these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction …” [10 v.11] May we feel confident in our understanding and faith, but specially note Paul’s next words “ … let anyone who thinks that he (or she) stands take heed lest he fall … God is faithful, and will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [v.12,13] Let us make our faith, our convictions, as strong as possible and be ready to “endure” and see God’s “way of escape”.

Thought for August 27th. “BUT I HATE HIM FOR HE NEVER …” Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

In the last chapter of 1 Kings today, is about prophets, human prophets. The kings of the northern kingdom of Israel gathered a lot of – what we might describe by the modern phrase – “hangers on”! Such always aim to be optimistic about the future and tell the king of their optimism – the king called them “prophets.”

It is not that different today – industry and Governments have a host of “advisers” who plot and forecast future trends. Virtually all of these modern ‘prophets’ came horribly unstuck in the world’s financial disaster of 2008/9 – and after a period of cautiousness seem to be repeating the same mistakes agin in 2024.

Our Kings chapter is about Ahab’s large team of adviser-prophets. He asked them, “about four hundred men … ‘shall I go to battle … or shall I refrain? And they all said, ‘Go up for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king’ “ [v.6] But Ahab was being supported on this occasion by his cousin, King Jehoshaphat of Judah and he asks if “there is a prophet of the LORD of whom we may enquire” [v.7] We notice he calls God YAHWEH, for whenever the text has LORD in capitals, that is the Hebrew word.

Ahab admits there is such a prophet, “but I hate him for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” [v.8] The prophet Micaiah is brought before the king and tells him, “the LORD has put a lying spirit in all these your prophets; the LORD has declared disaster for you.” [v.23] A brave man – and he gets put in prison (v.27). Today those who expound God’s prophesies get ignored and it’s message of coming “disaster.”! Of course, the fact that some have used their own faulty wisdom in elaborating on God’s word has been a factor in causing this. But we turn our back on God’s actual prophecies at our peril – and this is what Ahab did. He got killed, despite disguising himself for the battle (v.30, 37) and what Elijah had prophesied about his end came to pass. (ch. 21v.19).

To use Paul’s word which we read today, he was “disqualified” – he lost the race (of life) as has happened to some Olympians in their kind of race. Paul says of Olympians, “They do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” He then writes, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” [1 Cor. 9 v.25

Thought for August 26th. “…YOUR UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO THE LORD” Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

Today’s chapter in Corinthians is an answer to specific situations there. However, it contains many principles which apply to believers in all ages. Paul is responding to “matters about which you wrote” [1 Cor.7 v.1] and it is like hearing one side of a conversation. Corinth was a very immoral city and the idolatry and fleshly living that surrounded the believers created many problems: they had been involved in this until they committed themselves to the way of life in Christ. They are encouraged to be faithful in their marriages, to avoid divorce and to be content with their situation in life, even if they are still slaves. (v.20,21) “I want you to be free from anxieties,” he writes, “to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” [v.35].

Maintaining marriage relationships, says Paul, is very important; he stresses that, “because of temptations to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband … do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” [v.2,5] This reference to a Satan is to human tempters, just as, at one stage Peter was a Satan to Jesus (Mark 8 v.33) when his spiritual vision had still not developed; he was not taking in what Jesus was saying, his mind was locked into his own perceptions; similarly, many of the converts in Corinth would have contact with individuals whose attitude was very ungodly and could tempt them – and so it is with us today – and it is increasing – so our reading and reflection on God’s word needs to increase.

Some ‘Christians’ in our days see Paul as being against marriage, even a woman hater! This is most inaccurate; he writes, “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind one of another … it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.” [v.7,9] There were problems because some who had accepted Christ were married to unbelieving partners. The believer should not seek a divorce, the believer should hope to influence the unbeliever to believe, “but if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so.” [v.15]

Paul sensed that Corinth was facing an imminent crisis (v.31), just as we sense that this world is heading into a big crisis situation; for that reason there are many points in this chapter which have special relevance to today and the need for our “undivided devotion to the Lord.”

Thought for August 25th. “DO YOU NOT KNOW … ” Aug 25, 2024

Show notes

There are many things we do not know – but most of these “many things” are of no serious consequence. Paul addresses the Corinthians as to the things it is essential they understand – and the most challenging are his comments on their lack of spiritual perception of the reality of their relationship with things Divine. The believers in Corinth were on a steep learning curve – out from their pagan background – in both understanding the ways of God and how it must be reflected in their ways of living. The situations Paul addressed as problems at Corinth provide many lessons appropriate for us today.

He challenges them, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” [1 Cor.6 v.15] They had known this to some degree for he stresses what happened at their conversion, “ … you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” [v.11] He also wrote, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived …” [v.9] But such is human nature that the power of self-deception is ever present – we can see it with so many of the churches teaching a largely ‘humanistic’ message – God’s word is rarely quoted – sometimes never.

The climax of Paul’s challenging words to them is in the last 2 verses, “… do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom (which) you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” – as well as in your mind – how you think and believe must be reflected in the way you behave – as the early part of the chapter tells us.

Our thinking must reflect both our heartfelt appreciation of the inspired word of God but also that we are “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit possesses us – does this fact frighten us? Let us be honest and say ‘Yes!” So do we as a result shy away from acknowledging, at least to ourselves, that “in him we live and move and have our being”? [Acts 17 v.28] or as Paul puts it in our chapter today, “he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” [v.17] At the end of Ch. 2 Paul said, at least of himself, “but we have the mind of Christ.” His very last words in his 2nd epistle to them states, “ …and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” May we develop “the mind of Christ” and experience “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” to an ever increasing degree.

Thought for August 24th. IT IS ENOUGH NOW O LORD Aug 24, 2024

Show notes

Elijah showed he was a man of great faith when he challenged the wicked king Ahab on Mount Carmel, fire miraculously burnt up his offering and 450 prophets of Baal were killed. Then three and a half years of drought came dramatically to an end! But after that he had a remarkable collapse of faith. We suspect that, after the remarkable climax of events on Mt Carmel he thought everything was going to be easier now and his intense faith in God relaxed.

Not so, in today’s chapter (I Kings 19), when Jezebel declares her intention to kill him because he had caused the death of her 450 prophets, Elijah’s confidence in serving the LORD suddenly collapses and he runs for his life.

He says to God, “It is enough now O LORD, take away my life for I am no better than my fathers.” [v.14] But the end result is that he finds God in a more personal way than ever before. Food is miraculously provided for him and after 40 days (interesting that period, the same as Moses spent on the mountain with God) he comes to “Horeb, the mount of God.” [v.8] where Moses had received the law.

He lodges in a cave [v.9] and there he experiences the awesome power of God. He thinks he is the only faithful person left in Israel and is told there are 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed the knee to worship Baal (v.18). As he hides in the cave there is a strong wind, strong enough to break the rocks, then an earthquake and then a fire! Awesome, it is rather parallel to God’s judgements on the world at the end of this age when Jesus is about to come.

After all this he hears a whispering voice [v.11,12] so he stands in the entrance to the cave and receives new commands of the work he still has to do for the LORD.

So Elijah found God and experienced a relationship with God in greater measure after the events on Mt. Carmel. The lesson for us? If we are totally committed to serving God, he will never let us go. If things go wrong in our life, it is a prelude to having a closer relationship with God and serving him and his Son in an even more intimate manner.

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