Practice what You Preach

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When I came across these words in Matthew in 23 twice in one day, I felt God was trying to speak to me. But then I fell to thinking about the many phrases from the Bible which we use in every day speech.’Don’t cast your pearls before swine,’ ‘Let the dead bury the dead,’ The first shall be last,’ Physician heal yourself,’ ‘Vengeance is mine’ (misquoted.)

I had a non-Christian relative who was amazed (and horrified) when I told him that when he ‘crossed his fingers’ he was referring to the cross and ‘touching wood’ was again thinking of the cross.

Of course, the Bible also has serious words to say to us as Christians!

Late Recognition

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I’ve always felt sorry for the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. We read in Luke that ‘they were kept from recognizing Him.’ They didn’t know who Jesus was until He was about to disappear. If they had known hours earlier they could have had a great time of fellowship with Him. But maybe God knew that recognition would mean they wouldn’t be listening to what Jesus had to say . We don’t always understand the wisdom of God.

In the Light

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I’ve often read the wise words ‘Don’t forget in the dark what you’ve learned in the light, ‘ which were Ideas that have stood me in good stead over the years. But I’ve needed to turn this saying on it’s head. Having had a period of ill-health recently, God has had much to teach me during this time. As I’m now ‘in the light’ it would be easy to forget the lessons learned in that dark patch.

Being a writer I always find it easier to write things down. I don’t want to forget but to remember and apply these hard-won truths learned in the dark.

Bartimaeus

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In the story of blind Bartimaeus I had always thought it strange when Jesus asked ‘What do you want me to do for you?’But today I looked at the first words of Bartimaeus’. Son of David, have mercy on me.’ Yes, he wanted his sight back but more than anything else he wanted mercy from Jesus.

There are many things we feel we want from God but mercy is what is needed by us all.

He Knows our Need

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God knows our situation. Everything is under His control. As the gold in every mine belongs to Him it is no wonder that He can give us exactly what we need, not what we want. These two things are very different. We might desire to have masses of money, but God knows this might be disastrous for us. We might want perfect health, but then we could never emphasize with others. Our desires may be for a larger family and more friends. These might make us abandon spending time with Him.

i’m pleased God holds the key to the future. It is safe hands.

God’s Timing

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Our God who is outside of time, is perfect in His timing. The minutes, hours, planets and universes all work like clockwork. If one thing was too early or too late, or one planet out of orbit, chaos would descend. God’s timing is still perfect today. As I’ve recently needed help in various ways, I’ve found that help has arrived at exactly the right time, by exactly the right people. I have not been too insignificant to be under His care.

The inventor of time is also the controller of it. God never gets it wrong.

Moving

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Moving house is always a big upheaval. Will our present home sell at the right price? Will we find a new place at the correct location, price and what will the neighbours be like? Fortunately our final move will have none to these problems. Our home in heaven will suit us admirably. There will be a very warm welcome and we will see the face of Him whom we’ve served and hopefully He will say ‘Welcome, well done, good and faithful servant.’

Murmurations

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I was reading about the starlings who make wonderful murmurations as they fly across the sky. One of the reasons for these formations is that by flying in large groups they are safer from their prediters.

This reminds me of the church. By meeting and worshiping with others, we too will be strengthened from the wiles of the devil.