Solomon

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Our sermon the other week was about Solomon. When one studies his life you realise how rich and powerful he was. He was also noted for his great wisdom. But by looking closely at the passages in the Bible we see that he is only pointing to a greater one. Solomon’s fame was only human, the power of Jesus is divine.

David was a powerful king and we are blessed today by his wonderful psalms, but again he is only a pointer to one who is greater. Jesus is the greatest. Prophets, saints and revered Biblical figures come no-where near Him. ‘It’s Jesus, the first and the last.’

The Bible

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Is it going out of practise? Are we reading the Bible less because it is so readily available to us in the Western World? Do we hunger and thirst for it? In some cases I fear the answer is ‘yes’, ‘yes’ and ‘no.’

There are many reasons we need to read and study it more. It has been handed down through the centuries, many have given their lives to share it with the unconverted and many have given their lives translating it into people’s mother tongues.

But the top reason is that God has given it to us. It is God-breathed. We need it like a drowning man. Without it’s teaching, guiding, comfort and instruction we will spiritually drown.

Answers to Prayer

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God answers prayer. We find it repeatedly in the Bible. His prophets cried out to Him and in His perfect time and in His own way He answered. What makes us think it will be any different today. God doesn’t change.

Cast your mind back over the years. Has God ever let you down? He might have said ‘no’, He might have said ‘wait,’ or He might have said ‘yes.’ As we reflect we will see that His answers have been the best for us. We can sometimes see the reasons for the answers and some questions we won’t know why until the other side of heaven.

Our job is to remember that He does all things well and He only wants the best for us.

Christian Fellowship

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Christian fellowship is something to be treasured. There are brave Christians round the world who have to operate on their own. They miss out on fellowship, sharing knowledge and encouragement. Where we can meet with other Christians we need to, it is necessary for our growth. I find there is a tendency since covid to be content with zoom services and using social media to share truths. But we are missing out. We need to make the effort; we need to sit in the same hall or room and look at each other in our conversations.

Out of respect for those who can’t physically meet because of illness or distance, we need to meet up more and share sweet fellowship..

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?

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