The Burning Bush

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To see a burning bush must have rung alarm bells for Moses. He was in a very dry land, would a bush on fire start a ‘bush’ fire? They must have had them in the Holy Land. Then he marvelled as the fire was self-contained. No earthly danger, just a divine danger. He heard God speaking to him, ‘you are on holy ground’ Then he uttered the words which many of the patriots uttered, ‘Here I am.’ When he heard the commission, his words changed to ‘Who am I?’

How often do we say to the Lord ‘Here I am.’ Then we hear His next words. ‘I want you to be a missionary in Outer Mongolia.’ ‘No Lord,’ we cry,’ anywhere in the world except Outer Mongolia.’ ‘Take a meal to your bereaved neighbour.’ ‘No, Lord, you know she hates me, I can’t go there.’ Or the much used excuse ‘I’m not good enough, clever enough or eloquent enough.’

God got his way with Moses. Moses ended up leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and towards the promised land. I wonder if God gets His way with us.

No Change

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I read yesterday ‘Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord’ Ps 31:24. I know the Bible is full of words of encouragement and I believe all and every one of them. But there are still times of discouragement when things go wrong or when there is illness. Is a Christian expected to be joyous and full of happiness all the time? This might be true of some Christians but that doesn’t describe me. In spite of God’s many promises, which I fully believe, at times I still worry, question and feel ‘unChristianlike.’

That is when we and I really need to lean on the Lord and ask His Holy Spirit to help us. We can’t do it in our own strength. I have to remember that God never changes whatever mood I might be in. He has never once failed me. God never changes. For many years He has protected and guided; He will not fail me in the last few years of my life.

Who Am I?

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I’m the person who has failed in many areas of my life, in relationships, in career, exams, financially and so on. It seems to be a human characteristic of mankind to concentrate on what we haven’t achieved. The latest generation tries to overcome this trait by exalting themselves and believing they are marvellous and can do anything. Neither attitude is healthy or accurate.

But I remember God’s love, not my failure, defines me. I’m the son or daughter of a King. I was and am so loved that Jesus died for me. I have a place ready for me in heaven. That doesn’t sound like failure to me; it shouts of success.

Yes, here on earth, things often so wrong and we get it wrong and life is not as we would wish. But God has it sorted. So as I say, God’s love, not my failure, defines who I am. God’s love, not your failure, defines who you are.

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.