Author: Carol Purves

Plans to Prosper

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‘Forget the former things, says the Lord, do not dwell in the past.’ Isaiah 43:19

It usually happens in the middle of the night, my mind flicks back to something I have done wrong in the past., someone I failed to support or encourage. I remember the wrong paths I have taken or the periods of time I spent apart from God. My mind goes round and round and sleep becomes elusive.

It is a useless exercise and completely unproductive. The past is past, I can’t contact the people I may have harmed and the years wasted are also gone. At these times during the night I need to pray. I know that God has forgiven me, now I need to forgive myself yet again. Through the Holy Spirit speaking to me I know that the past mistakes and subsequent forgiveness have strengthened my faith and built me to the person I am today.

But my story is not over, in front of me are months or even years that God has plans for me and work He needs me to do. God has not revealed these to me yet but I can look forward with excitement and anticipation. There is purpose and enjoyment ahead. As I get older I will not be so physically strong but there is still work for me to do.

As we read in Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

God Calls it Sin

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‘For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal light.’ Romans 6:23

The old lady called her electrician, ‘Could you come and change the bulb in my living room.’ ‘Madam,’ was the rebuking reply, ‘they are called lamps not bulbs. Bulbs are what you plant in the garden.’ I’m not sure if that is accurate, but the lady knew what she wanted, a good light in her living room.

Usually it doesn’t matter what we call something, we know what we mean. But God is very particular about one word, though we might call it something else.

To God sin is sin. We might call it an error of judgment or a matter of opinion. God calls it sin. We can think it is unimportant but God calls it sin. Is it really something to get hung up about, we can easily dismiss it. Sin is what God calls it. When we worship other gods, we call it multi-pluralism and tolerance. God calls it sin. As we ridicule the time-honoured faith and values of our fore-fathers, we consider it enlightenment. Do we want to be considered old-fashioned? When we covert our neighbour’s possessions and position we name it as ambition. God calls it sin.

Surely the Ten Commandments are out of date. No! God’s decrees are timeless. The Ten Commandments are God’s guidance to us. Let us heed them!

Jesus Rests and Prays

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‘After He had dismissed them, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray’ Matthew 24:23

Jesus had just used His heavenly powers to feed five thousand people, He was the Son of God but He was also human. Catering for the needs of so many needy people was no small feat. He needed to recharge His batteries and have time alone with God.

If Jesus Himself needed this restoration how much more do we. I know of a mother and two adult daughters who had recently been bereaved after a long spell of nursing. They had become completely exhausted.

We need to recover from times of great stress. Whether we are Christian or not we will have these emotionally draining times. It is then that we can use the traffic awareness instructions given to children. ‘Stop, look, listen.’ ‘Listen’ and if possible take time out. Ask God to ‘Take from our souls the strain and stress.’ John Greenleaf Whittier. ‘Look’, there is a whole book, the Bible, that can give us comfort and hope. It is the best ‘how to’ book in the world. And finally ‘listen’, by praying we can hear God’s tender words of love.

God restored Jesus, He can restore us too. Stop striving, look to God our Saviour and listen to His words.

Altered Trousers

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I found that the trousers I had bought were not quite right for me, so I took them to a skilled seamstress that I knew. I had the waistband made larger (I’d obviously put on weight) two pockets were inserted on each side and I had the length shortened. I hoped that then the trousers would be more comfortable.

It is the same with my spiritual life and no doubt yours. When God comes into our lives and we become Christians there is much that needs to be changed. In my case, God had to make me less selfish and self-centred. I needed to become kinder to others and less out-spoken. I had to have more compassion for the lost. Television time and social media scrolling time needed to be reduced. I had to intentionally spend more time in prayer and reading the Word of God. More of my time needed to be spent in Christian fellowship. There were many changes that God needed to make in my life.

This was necessary for me to become the person that God intended me to be. He had a mission that only I could do. Not because I was very talented but that it was His plan for my life. The nearer I was to God, the happier I would be and more fulfilled.

You are a new creation, there is now no condemnation.

Turn the Page

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When I was very young I remember visiting my great-grandmother. I was an inquisitive little girl and thought her house was dull and old fashioned. Everything was dark and musty, while my own home was light, airy and modern. One of my abiding memories was the large open Bible placed on the sideboard. This gave me the impression that she was very religious. I loved God in my simple, childlike way so I was interested in the Bible.

I had learned to read and could pick out a few words ‘The Lord is my shepherd,’ and further down the page ‘thou preparest a table before me.’ Strange words, not like the ones I was used to at school.

On my next visit I was anxious to read the next page, but that time and on every future visit, the Bible was open at the same page. When I ran my finger down the page it felt very dusty. Obviously the Bible was there for show and not for use.

When I tried to turn the page, my great grandmother shouted at me. ‘Leave that alone. That is the Holy Word of God.’ How sad! A Bible revered but never read. God’s word is a living word with many gems inside for the discerning reader. An unread Bible with never bring salvation.

Three Times a Year

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Does the world think that we have a religion that we practice only three times a year, at Christmas with Christmas cards, presents and tinsel and again at Easter with Easter eggs , chicks and chocolate.. And then again at Lent when we ‘give things up’. What a limited idea this is of our faith.

Christianity is continuous contact with our wonderful God. What do they know of redemption, forgiveness and sacrifice? Do they know about the contents of the Bible. It isn’t just the twenty-third psalm and the ten commandments. The history of the Old Testament is so exciting and vital to our faith. Nor is the Bible a sanitized book, some of the things we read are shocking.

What do they know about the life of Christ, His miracles, His parables. Do they know of the sequence of His last days, His death, His resurrection, things which are so central to our faith? If they don’t know, how much is it our fault? Have we tried when they are interested, even more if they aren’t interested? Do they think it is all about getting money for the new church roof? So sad, if they do. It is not the roof that matters, but our souls.

It is not always easy to talk about spiritual things. We need to start on our first meeting with a person. It will be become even more difficult later. We need to understand how tremendous is our news. Your neighbours, colleague, relative needs to know. Start right now.

Does

Re-Instated

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My name is Mephibosheth. I’m reclining on a damask covered couch, selecting food from the generous array of sweetmeats before me. My servant, Ziba, has just come to report on the good harvest. I am content.

But it was not always like this. Most of my life I have been hiding and fearing for my life. When I was a baby my nurse dropped me, causing me to be crippled in both feet. Jonathan, my father, died when I was only five years old, a life of hiding followed. When David became king, I expected he would kill all the relative of my father but I managed to escape detection.

Then one day the king discovered where I was hiding and summoned me to appear before him. That was when I felt real fear. I tried to kneel before him to pay homage and acknowledge that I was his servant. His words astonished me.

‘Mephibosheth, do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’ 2 Samuel 9:7

As I said, my lands are well managed by Ziba, his fifteen sons and twenty servants. I want for nothing. I am able to be taken to the temple to give thanks to the one true God who encouraged David to have mercy on me.

Everlasting

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‘The eternal God is your refuge. Underneath are the everlasting arms’ Deut 33:27

Robin had led a full life of service for the Lord. He and his wife were now retired missionaries. His service continued into his retirement until he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He knew he would not be here for long.

He continued to witness through hospital treatment, spells at home and finally his last few weeks in the hospice. Throughout it all he was still quoting his favourite scripture ‘Underneath are the everlasting arms.’ In his final days he very much needed these words and was being upheld by those everlasting arms.

As he became weaker it was more difficult to speak and it was just possible for him to say ‘everlasting.’ And finally he cold only say ‘ever.’ The Lord heard Robin’s prayers and he is now resting the those everlasting arms, everlastingly.

The message isn’t just for Robin, it is for everyone who calls on the Lord and is willing to trust. It is for the dying, the living, the successful, the failures. God’s supporting arms are also for those who don’t believe in Him and for those who feel they don’t need Him, whether they heed them or not. May we all know God’s supporting arms.

A Million Birds

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‘Do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.’ Luke 12:7.

The little girl with her mother on the bus was about three years old. Her continuous lively chatter put a smile on everyone’s face. It was as if she was seeing everything for the first time and loving everything she saw.

Suddenly she looked up to the cloudless sky where a group of starlings were twisting and turning in their beautiful murmuration formation. The little girl pointed up excitedly. ‘Look Mum, there are a million birds up there and they’re making patterns in the sky.’

A million might have been an exaggeration but we all looked up and joined in her amazement as the birds swooped and spiralled upwards. We had seen the sight before but our adult eyes can lose the wonder of childhood. Many sights of nature can become ordinary because we have seen them all before. God has given us so many blessings in nature, birdsong, spring flowers or the first cry of a new born baby.

At creation God said that it was good, very good. May we have the eyes of the three year old and really see and rejoice. As Jesus said ‘Unless we become as little children ….’

Two are Better

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I’ve just re-read the life story of Richard Wurmbrand. The torture he and his wife received in Romania is almost unimaginable. They suffered terrible physical torture as well as months and years of solitary confinement; they had long periods completely on their own.

We were made to be in community; we were not programmed to be alone. I often visit those who are nearly housebound. Where it is possible I encourage them to seek company. When we meet with others we can forget out our own aches, pains and problems. Our attention will be drawn to others. We can remember great times of past happiness. Together we can even make plans for the future.

Community is also a Biblical concept. God provided Adam with a soul-mate, Eve, (Genesis 2:18) so he wouldn’t be alone. Jesus chose twelve companions because even as the Son of God He didn’t want to live life alone. God established and loves the church, so we can have a church community and live a life of give and take.

We read in Ecclesaiastes 4:9 ‘Two are better than one.’ I love conversations I have with many people, they give me ideas and might even give me the solution to a problem I have. I had visited various shops looking for a certain item, my neighbour suggested yet anothershop, where I was successful.

Verse 12 of this chapter ‘a chord of three strands is not easily broken.’ When God is in the mix it is even better.