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Thought for February 27th..'.For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him'-_1 Feb 27, 2020

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".... ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM" Feb 27

Psalm 103 is a very ‘popular’ Psalm because of its emphasis on the love and mercy of the LORD. It is very encouraging for those who struggle to feel ‘right’ before God – and isn’t that all of us at some stage(s) of our lives! We feel in our hearts the urgent need, despite our failures, to feel God is ‘on our side’ – even ‘by our side.’

There is one factor that is repeated in the Psalm that must not be overlooked, otherwise the Divine message of encouragement this Psalm conveys will be distorted. “Bless the LORD, O my soul” is how the Psalm (which is ascribed to David) begins; “…. Forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” [v.2-4]

The Psalm then takes our thoughts to Moses – “He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.” [v.7] that “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” [v.8] The book of Exodus, which we have just completed reading gave us many examples of this. David certainly experienced this and he states, “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.”[v.10-11]

Those final words must not be overlooked! The next verse says, as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us”.- and so, you can go east as far as you like – but you never come to the west! The next verse repeats the qualifications given in v.11 “…. So the LORD shows compassion on those who fear him.”

Verse 17 repeats this for the third time, “the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. Solomon comments on the strength of a “three-fold cord” [Eccl. 4 v.12], how much more a divinely inspired statement!

The word “fear” in the sense of being in awe of the LORD occurs no less than 26 times in the Psalms – it does not mean to be scared of God – but to be in awe in sensing his greatness and that he is present everywhere through his spirit. (Acts 17 v,27,28) Let us sense how immeasurable great God must be!

Look back at Psalm 36, note David’s words, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Oh continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright in heart” [v.9,10]

We have more reason than ever, with the human discoveries of recent years, to contemplate the immeasurable greatness of the power that brought them all into being – that power is our Heavenly Father – and we address God in that way because we have taken on the name of his son, Jesus Christ. What a wonder this is!

Thought for February 26th ' Is it not a participation in the body of Christ' Feb 26, 2020

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"A PARTICIPATION IN THE BODY OF CHRIST" Feb. 26

In Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians we have come to where he refers to the memorial emblems, he stresses that their participation in these should be in a way that illustrates their unity. Paul has made several points very strongly in earlier chapters addressing issues that were seriously undermining their unity in Christ: their lack of harmony worried him very much.

Their coming together to remember that Christ died for them needed to take place in an atmosphere of genuine unity – but it wasn’t. To start with some were influenced by the surrounding spirit of idol-worshipping, but “…. beloved flee from idolatry” [10 v.14] wrote Paul..

He appeals to them, “I speak to sensible people, judge for yourselves what I say.” [v.5] Do we ourselves make sensible judgements? The situation for us is not completely different. Paul says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body …” [v.15-7]

The verses which follow indicate some had a problem leaving behind the pagan practices they had previously enjoyed, Paul says to them, “You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” [v.21,22] In ch. 5 he made the point, “Christ is our Passover … let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven … of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” [7,8]

In Ch. 11 we will read that “anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” [v.29] He does not mean - discerning his own body - but the body of Christ and their responsibility to his or her fellow believers. Paul told the Philippians he wanted to “hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit and one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” [1 v.27]

This precious oneness is demonstrated each time we meet for fellowship. There have been the rare occasions when a member of another church has been present who has taken offence at not being offered the emblems! But this is an opportunity to lovingly point out that when the church was first established on the Day of Pentecost, those baptised “devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and fellowship and the breaking of bread …” [Acts 2 v.42] What is the Apostles teaching? Do they (do we) properly “discern the Lord’s body” when we participate? If we are of one mind as to that teaching and are baptised – our participation in the body of Christ will a great spiritual joy.. Let us make sure we ourselves are fully devoted to this teaching and the way of life it leads to..

Dynamic Bible reading for all ages. - Neville Clark Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Description: Knowing God’s true message to mankind is crucial to a hope of salvation. Christadelphians regard consistent Bible study as the only means to know God’s mind. The key doctrine of the Bible is God manifestation, how God reveals himself and aims to work through others.

Thought for February 25th ' But if anyone loves God, he is known by God' Feb 25, 2020

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"IF ANYONE LOVES GOD, HE IS KNOWN BY GOD” Feb 25

Love is, above all, an active quality; genuine love causes us to do things: it motivates our heart. Now, the things love causes us to do are not things we do out of a sense of obligation, there should not be occasions when we say, “I suppose I had better do …” especially when it comes to serving the Lord.

Our meditations followed these lines as we read the start of 1 Corinthians Ch. 8. Verse 3 tells us, “But if anyone loves God , he (or she) is known by God.” When God, who sees all things through his spirit (Psalm 139 v.1-6) knows that our professions of love for him come right from our hearts - we are “known by God.” But this is more than a one sided sense of knowing, to truly know God results in a two-way relationship, David’s Psalms show this, we read this morning, “Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his” [100 v.3]

We read a few days ago in Exodus, “Moses said to the LORD … you have said, ‘I know you by name … therefore if I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you …” [Ch.33 v.12,13]

Knowing God comes through knowing his ways; leading to the realization that we are “working together with him” [2 Cor. 6 v.1]. One of the wonders of this, Paul told the Corinthians, is to realize that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [1 Cor. 10 v.13]

Many believers in Corinth experienced temptations to continue to enjoy the fleshly advantages of attending idol temples and feasting there on the food that had been offered to the idols. The idol worshippers saw this food as special because it had been blessed by Temple priests: we have seen this happening in Indian temples.

It is not difficult to see the modern equivalents, especially in prosperous countries in the things that the masses idolize. In Corinth athletic sports were idolized, it is no different today – people call them ‘Stars’ – reflect on how much idolizing happens! .

Finally we noted Paul’s point – “Every athlete exercises self control … they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” [1 Cor. 9 v.25] He tells believers, “So run that you may obtain it … I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” [v.24,27]

Disqualified! How can we safeguard against that? Does not the ‘oil’ which ‘lubricates’ all our understanding and ways of thinking result in success in our efforts to “run” effectively? This is the reality of our love for God: supported by our reading of God’s word: these provide the awareness that we are “known” by God. Loving God creates our inner strength. How “real” is your love?

Thought for February 24rd ' to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord' Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

"TO SECURE YOUR UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO THE LORD" Feb 24

Today’s chapter in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians gives his views about specific situations occurring there. However, it contains principles which apply to believers of all ages. He is responding to “matters about which you wrote” [1 Cor.7 v.1] and his words are like hearing one side of a conversation. Corinth was a very immoral city and its idolatry and fleshly living created many problems and has many parallels with today. The believers had been actively part of all this until they committed themselves to follow the way of Christ.

They are commended to be faithful in their marriages, to avoid divorce and to be content with their situation in life, even if they were 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 are most important says Paul, he makes the point, “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, as we read earlier this month in Mark 8 v.33. At that stage Peter’s attitude was all wrong, similarly, many of the converts in Corinth would have contact with individuals whose values were all wrong and could prompt ungodly thoughts in them. So it is with us today – indeed - more and more. We have to say, at least in thought, “Get behind me Satan.”

Today some criticise Paul, suggesting he is against marriage, even a woman hater! This is most unfair; 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 seek to influence the unbeliever to accept Christ, “but if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so.” [v.15] writes Paul.

Paul sensed that Corinth was facing an imminent crisis, just as we sense that this world is heading downhill with increasing rapidity - for that reason there are many points in this chapter which have special relevance to today and the need for us all “to secure” our “undivided devotion to the Lord.”

How is the Gospel relevant today? Feb 23, 2020

Show notes

Description: *What is the gospel? Who preached the gospel? When was the gospel preached? Why is the gospel important? These are important questions which should interest us all and demonstrate that the gospel the foundation of God’s plans and is still relevant today.

Thought for February 23rd ' When the cares of my heart are man, your consolations cheer my soul' Feb 23, 2020

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"WHEN THE CARES OF MY HEART ARE MANY ..." Feb. 23

What a personally stirring Psalm we have today in No. 94. The name of the Psalmist is not given but it “feels” very much like one of David’s. “When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” [v.18,19]

One of our greatest consolations come when we read God’s word every day and share our thoughts and fellowship with others who do the same. The next verse asks an interesting question, “Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?” The answer is plain in the verses which follow – but today, not only injustice, but ungodly living is framed and allowed and put into the statute book of many nations – many of whom used to be relatively godly.

In our chapter today in 1 Corinthians, Paul bluntly tells the believers there, “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, not idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” [6 v.9,10]

Paul later states, “the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” [v.13-15]

Now there is an even greater factor to put this alongside that last statement! Paul asks, “… do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own …” [v.19]

Once again the broad and narrow paths are spelt out for us – and what they mean in practice. But meditate on the ways in which we are not our own, it also means, we suggest, we are not alone, “for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’” [Acts 17 v.28] which is what Paul told the Athenians of the God that was unknown to them..

We come back to the last 2 verses of our Psalm and it’s powerful concluding declaration, “But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out.”

Do you have cares in your heart? What has become – or is becoming – your stronghold?

Thought for February 22nd 'everyone whose heart stirred him ' Feb 22, 2020

Show notes

"EVERYONE WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM" Feb 22

The drama of Moses in the mountain and then in dealing with those who made the golden calf is now in the past. We read today of preparations for making the Tabernacle: everyone had brought away from Egypt items of value - remember what you read in Ch. 12 v,35,36! “They plundered the Egyptians.” Moses appeals to the people, “Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze …yarns and fine twined linen …” [35 v.5] These will be the source materials needed to make the Tabernacle. The people “departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. And so they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart …” [v.20-22]

We will read in ch. 36 that Moses is told, “The people bring much more than enough …” [v.5]; so many willing hearts! Now this was not tithing, these were freewill offerings. The institution of tithing is detailed in the next 3 books of Moses, see for example Deuteronomy 14 v.22-29. Tithing was for the running costs of the nation: the Levites duties were wide ranging being required to act as medicos, policemen, administration, etc., tithing was the income tax of the nation. The functioning of the tabernacle was the responsibility of Aaron and his sons and close relatives.

Many ‘Christian’ organisations demand tithes of their flock, claiming the Bible advocates this – and many become really wealthy - and its tax free! ‘Hillsong’ is an ugly example! But there is no basis in God’s word for Christians to practice tithing - the evidence is all the other way!

There will be evidence of this when we come to Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians next month. Paul writes of the attitude of the believers in Macedonia “in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity … they gave … beyond their means of their own freewill …” [8 v2,3] “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not … under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” [9 v.7]

Equally important is for believers to show the heart felt sincerity of their commitment to Christ by giving of their time and their abilities in different areas of service for Christ. Can it be that some, well blessed in the needs of this life, think that it is enough to be very generous when the collection bags come round and appeals are made – but that is all they do! We must each let our hearts stir us to use our talents (not just finances) in the service of the Lord wherever he creates opportunities for us – and there are many of them.

Thought for February 21st 'Please show me your glory ' Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

"PLEASE SHOW ME YOUR GLORY" Feb. 21

The life story of Moses is remarkable, only after being a shepherd for 40 years in Midian was he called by God to serve him. He then had the drama of the plagues and his inter-action with Pharaoh. The dramatic crossing of the Red Sea and the quaking mountain and 40 days on the summit are naturally seen as the highlights of his life story. But something totally special was in store for him and we read of this today in Exodus 33 and 34.

The Lord commands them to leave Sinai, God sees the masses encamped there as “a stiff necked people” [33 v.3]. Yesterday we read “the LORD said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned I will blot out of my book.’” [32 v.33] When Moses went into his tent “the pillar of cloud would descend … Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” [33 v.9,11] Moses says to the LORD, “If I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”[v.13] The LORD answers, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” [v.13,14] The A V has ‘give thee rest’ – the promised “rest” only applied to Moses.

There follows a remarkable request. “Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ The answer is most thought provoking, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” [v.18,19] Moses is made to stand in the “cleft of a rock” until the LORD has passed by, but Moses is not allowed to see his face.

But the greater cause for our meditation is the declaration of his name. In one sense God’s name, as with our name, is the reputation we develop and display.

Moses goes up on the mountain for a second 40 days (34 v.28) and again “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger; and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness … ” [v.5,6,] The glory of character is far greater in meaning than physical glory.. Remember Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus that he would have “no beauty that we should desire him.” [53 v.2] – yet all human portraits make him handsome with flowing golden hair!

Let us each meditate as to how we would respond – if asked to show our glory! How we feel we can genuinely answer this request - will one day be reflected in the kind of “rest” we will receive.

Brexit: Christadelphian Bro Vic Aucott on BBC Radio- Sarah Julian Interviews.. Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Christadelphian on the Radio.

This is a short 5 min clip created from an excerpt taken from a 3hr plus radio programme that was broadcast live from the BBC on Sunday 19th June 2016. In the radio programme, broadcast on the BBC Nottingham's 'Sarah Julian's Sunday morning Show', (in which she interviews and discusses current events), Bro Vic Aucott (Notting Forrest Rd ecclesia UK) is asked a number of questions about the 'Christadelphians' relating to how we, as a community are outside of politics. Bro Vic is invited to give an account as to why we as a community will not be voting in the upcoming referendum vote on June 23. . Bro Vic explains to Sarah why we are not (unlike many other denominations around us), campaigning or encouraging members of the public to vote either way from our Sunday Bible Hour platforms held at our hall's, but instead, inviting them to read what the Bible really teaches about the 'Christian' and politics. Sarah concludes the interview by saying that "it was a fascinating and good explanation as to why he will not be voting in this or any other opportunity to vote in a referendum or an election" The whole episode can be heard here . http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03xfkc8

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