Author: Carol Purves

A Secret Visitor

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Sadly my friend is in hospital after a fall with a suspected broken hip. I was so sorry when this happened to her and was pleased when I was able to visit. I trust that my company was a slight help to her but then I fell to thinking about why I visited. Was it because I wanted people to know I’d been and then say ‘Well done, Carol!’

Jesus warned about showing our good works before men. In Matthew 6:1 He says, Be careful, do not do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.’ I enjoy hospital visitation and belong the the hospital chaplaincy team. Because I enjoy it does it mean it is of no value? Surely what matters is whether it helps the patient.

In the end my conscience was assuaged . No-one knew I had visited her. X-rays have shown that she has not broken her hip but she is still in a lot of pain. I shall continue to pray for her in private.

Up

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I’m sorry but I’ve pinched this from someone else, but it is so good I wanted to share it.

”It’s time for our church to wake up and sing up, preach up and pray up and never give up, or let up, or shut up, until the church is filled up or we go up.’

I would love to be in a church like that, but it’s up to me to sit up and take notice. I mustn’t leave it to others, I need to do my part.

Why Did He Weep?

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John 11:32 tells us that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Pope Leo the Great says ‘In His humanity Jesus wept for Lazarus; in His divinity he raised him from the dead.’ Why did He weep? He wept because He was bereaved of a great friend. He wept in sympathy for his friends who were also bereaved. He was weeping for our infirmities because mankind also faces death.

In His weeping He is also weeping for us today. He is besides us in our pain, partings and sadness. Psalm 30:5 tells us ‘weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.’ He knows that weeping is not the final answer.

So as Jesus weeps, He is weeping for the past, for His present and also for our present.

United

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Each week I go to a Bible study with another denomination from the one I belong to. I also join with a prayer group again with another denomination. Although a protestant myself, I’ve just been to a lecture from a Catholic author. I’m sure that each Sunday our services are different, but what we all have in common is that we love the Lord and believe that He died for our sins and believe in the sovereignty of the Bible.

It is sad when the world sees parts of the church working against each other. According to the Bible it is not God’s wish that we should be at loggerheads. We need to concentrate on what we have in common. Emphasis on our similarities and the same leader should be in our minds. As the hymn writer says ‘The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord.’ S. J. Stone

United in Prayer

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As I live alone most of my praying is done with no-one else present. That is fine, I find a place that is comfortable and quiet and have a conversation with God. This means that without any distraction I can concentrate on prayer and the conversation I am having. But I’m sure God doesn’t want us always to prayer alone. He made us for fellowship and He knows the power of corporate prayer.

By praying with others, a solid and united prayer is going up to heaven. When we are praying together there is also the opportunity to be vulnerable about our struggles. It is only too easy to give the appearance of having everything together in our Christian life. What a privilege it is to hear of others’ difficulties and to have the opportunity to jointly pray about them.

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes ‘Two are better than one,’ and Jesus says ‘where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst.’

The writer of Hebrews reminds us, ‘Let us consider how we might spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are i n the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.

And James 5:16 says ‘Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Cloud Cover

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Every morning as I pray I sit looking up at the sky. By turning my eyes heavenwards I helps me to concentrate on God and not on earthly things. My mind is so easily distracted that I need this prompt.

Yesterday the sky was a vivid blue which led to a warm sunny day. This morning the sky is overcast and grey and a gentle rain is falling. I’m sure it’s not scientifically correct but I felt as if the world was clothed in a protective blanket. (although I expect the sun was probably shining in Africa or even Manchester!)

I had a feeling of protection and safety. I know that God is present in rain or shine, but my feeling this morning was one of sanctuary and security. The psalmist knew this feeling only too well. God was his rock and hiding place. Therefore I was reminded once again of God’s love and started the day rejoicing in spite of the rain.

Bethlehem

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My friend has just returned from a trip to the Holy Land. He lamented the situation of Bethlehem. The security wall round the city is now finished and covered in graffiti. He found the atmosphere of the city was hostile and intimidating. Wisely or sadly, he avoided visiting the ‘holy’ places’ as he felt as they were only tourist attractions with little religious significance.

A number of years ago i visited the same city with the same party. At that time the wall was not quite completed, but we had to get out of the coach for a security check as we went in and out of the city. No doubt it’s the same now, or even worse. At one time when I was a passenger, the car was attacked by missiles as it was known to be owned by a Christian.

I reflected on the significance of this city in Biblical history; there are many references. Bethlehem was the place chosen by God to be the birthplace of Jesus. This fulfilled the prophecy. In Micah 5:2, ‘You Bethlehem, although you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’ Then in Matthew we read, ‘Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea.’

I fear there is weeping over Bethlehem today!

God is Ahead of Me

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If I’m directed to the same passage of scripture twice in the same day, I think God must be trying to get a message into my stubborn mind. As I only read two or three scriptures each day I pay very careful attention to the repeats.

This happened to me one day last week. I was directed to one particular scripture, firstly on paper and then on my mobile phone reading. I thought about it but felt it had no relevance to my particular situation. Then on the Sunday morning the preacher used the same passage. I was really confused; three repeated messages but no particular meaning to me.

Two days late an unexpected, unwelcome occurrence disrupted in my life. It was then I realised that God had spoken four times. The messages of comfort and assurance suddenly made sense as I now recalled the words that had been placed before me the previous week. Peace filled my mind and soul where I would have expected none. My God had gone before, He knew the end from the beginning.

Search Me, O Lord

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I don’t know if cars are the same these days but ‘back in the day’ I never let my car get low on petrol. I was told that an emptyish tank would suck up the grit and sludge at the bottom of the tank . This would imp[air the running of the car. I think I was over zealous, a half empty tank meant a visit to the petrol pump.

When I pray ‘search me, O Lord,’ I imagine Him scouring out my soul. He exposes the sin deep within me which no-one else ever sees. My heart and soul contain plenty of muck and grime which He needs to deal with. My heart needs a good clean out, then my spiritual performance will be enhanced. I pray, ‘Renew a right spirit within me me, O Lord.’

A Day Like None Other

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The two disciples of Jesus thought it was a normal journey to Emmaus, Just seven miles from Jerusalem they had done it many times before. They had been hearing strange rumours but nothing had affected them personally. Then they were joined by a stranger on their journey who proved to be the risen Lord. The seven miles back to Jerusalem would have seemed like no distance at all.

They burst into the room where the disciples were gathered,. We can imagine their excitement as they rushed to tell their story, words tumbling out of their mouths. ‘At first we thought He was a stranger.’

It was when He broke the bread.’

‘Why didn’t we guess.’

‘His hands and feet were scarred.’

‘He explained the scriptures so profoundly.’

Their babbling was suddenly stopped. Jesus stood among them. He needed only four words. ‘Peace be with you.’