Author: Carol Purves

150 Questions

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I’ve just read (from what I hope is a reliable source) that there are 150 questions found in the New Testament and many of them are from and to Jesus. We can sometimes feel that we have that many questions ourselves to ask of God. Why is the world in such a terrible state? What can we do about it with our limited influence? What do various sayings in the Bible mean?

Some questions will be answered by further Biblical study, some will be sorted by discussions with other Christians. Many will not be answered this side of heaven. That’s where trust comes in and to remember that my Lord ‘doeth all things well.’

A Bad Day

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Have you ever had a bad day that just seems to get worse? In Acts 28 Paul and Luke seemed to have one of those days. They are in chains as prisoners sailing to Rome to be tried for their faith. It was the seasons of storms and they were having a fair share of them. A particularly bad one shipwrecked their vessel off the island of Malta. Thrown into the sea, frozen, drenched and half drowned they landed safely on the beach. Hyperthermia would have threatened. Their escape seemed like a miracle as they sat round the roasting fire. But another miracle was to come. Although Paul was bitten by a snake which came out of the fire, contrary to expectations Paul does not die. God still had plans for him as he would have the chance to witness in Rome about his great God.

There’s hope for all of us. God hasn’t finished with us yet.

Unacknowledged Gifts

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We don’t miss something until we lose it. How ungrateful we human beings are! I have recently been ‘laid aside’ for a couple of weeks. In my present state it is easy to moan about my weakness, restrictions to my social life and the whole feeling of life not being good.

Then I stop and question myself. When did I last give thanks to God for my health and freedom? In the midst of my frantic activity when did I stop and think of those who are permanently ill? My FOMO (fear of missing out) is nothing compared to theirs.

God showers us with numerous blessings in this life. Are we like the nine lepers or are we like the one, giving thanks and praising God?

Vacancy

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Hours – 24/7 except when asleep you will never be off duty. Tasks – whatever the Master requires of you, but it will be necessary to keep in touch with His wishes. He is a kind task master and will never force you to do things, but as you grow to love and respect Him you will happily obey. Danger – at times there will be great danger even to the point of death. In addition there will always be struggles, disappointments and opposition. Pay – many, many times of great happiness and satisfaction. The final generous reward will stretch into eternity. Only sinner need apply.

Opposition

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How do we respond to opposition? It’s something we will come up against, especially if we’re Christians. Does opposition mean we should give up our beliefs? Surely not. We need to decide when we should stand up and fight and when should we keep silent. What compels us to continue in the face of aggression?

A number of questions here, but probably one basic answer. It is our mission towards Jesus which is important, not us. It shouldn’t be a matter of proving we’re right, or beating our accusers into submission. The work of Jesus is all that matters, whether we speak up, keep silent or stand on our rights. Paul always had the interests of his Saviour at heart.

Books of Prayers

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When I have my prayer time each morning I don’t pray out loud or say the words in my head. Because I am a writer, I write to God at the start of the day. I pour out my feelings in the written word. I include praise and worship, confession and the need for forgiveness. Then I pray for myself and for others for the coming day. The emphasis for any day one can be praise, contrition or help for a looming problem. I don’t re-read my prayers (as we can’t with the spoken word) And as each book gets full I put it to one side. Eventually they will be thrown away.

My friend came up with a lovely thought. When I get to heaven God will show me the stack of my written booklets, preserved in His eternal heaven.

Cloud and Fire

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The Israelites had the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. In spite of this guidance from God they still made many mistakes and were easily led astray. Theirs sins were so bad that with two exceptions they never their Promised Land.

At times I long for pillars of cloud and fire to guide me because like the Israelites I often take the wrong path. Then I realise I am not travelling across a sandy desert where these aids are needed; I’m crossing the desert of life and God has given me my own pillars. I have the whole Bible in my own language; the scriptures which the Israelites had were incomplete. I have the gift of the Holy Spirit for my guidance. Prayer and Christian fellowship are available for me. I can only pray that unlike the Israelites I do indeed reach my Promised Land.

Just in Time

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It was just a normal day in the prison. The jailor at Philippi was quite enjoying listening to the prisoners singing and giving praises to their God. He felt his heart strangely warmed.

Suddenly without warning there was a violent earthquake. The earth shook and the prison doors flew open. He realised what this meant. The prisoners would escaped and his life would be forfeited as punishment. In desperation he drew his sword to end his life. Suddenly an authoritative voice said, ‘Don’t harm yourself.’ Falling down on his knees he begged. ‘Sirs , what must I do to be saved.’

If Peter and Silas hadn’t been singing and praising God there would have been no time to witness as the earthquake struck. This conversation couldn’t have taken place. The jailer wouldn’t have had the chance of salvation.

Scouring and Balm

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I have recently had two biopsies on my leg. Although the stitches have now been taken out and the places are healing well there is still a slight soreness. By applying a healing ointment the treatment of my leg will soon be just a memory.

It reminds be of the state of my soul. God needs to scour out from my heart the sin that resides there. It is a painful business. Habits have to be changed, certain ways abolished and a fresh start made. But God doesn’t leave me with sore places, He uses His healing balm to heal and restore. The result is that my heart and soul are in a better place, the place that He wants them to be.

The Holy Name

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At critical times in our lives it seems that secular words fail us; we need a touch of the divine. In times of national disasters, the country holds services and times of prayer, no doubt attended by many who never darken the doors of a church. But nevertheless it meets a need.

‘Lord, if You act, I promise …..’ No doubt this is a promise which will never be kept but it shows that earthly promises are not sufficient. When one of the Chinese women of Gladys Alyward’s acquaintance was being attacked and abused by Japanese soldiers, she cried out repeatedly, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,’ Her attacker fled at at the sound of that name.

Sadly, that same name is often used as a swear word. ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear.’