October 27 - Relationship vs. Religion

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” - James 2:25-27. 

Years ago we had a neighbour who had a relative receiving treatment in a mental health unit. The diagnosis was 'religious mania.' This man had been receiving a long, intensive series of studies on Daniel and Revelation. The fact that he was going through the grieving process and was under severe emotional distress only served to act as a green light to the elder giving the studies, and the pressure continued to escalate to persuade the man to make a 'commitment.' Hence, a total mental breakdown and an aversion to any words of spirituality – the very thing that should have brought him comfort and peace. .

U2 front man Bono says, “Spiritual abuse is rather like any physical or sexual abuse.” “It brings you to a place where you can’t face the subject ever again. It’s rare for the sexually abused to ever enjoy sex again. So, too, people who are spiritually abused by religion can rarely approach the subject of religion with fresh faith. They wince and twitch. In a way religious life is trying to get through a mine field without coming out of it in a wheelchair. Religion distances people from a real relationship with a living and loving God and leaves survivors with a spiritual limp. In short, religion messes everything up."

Christianity is completely different from this. It is not religion. An American Literature Teacher, Mr. Patton, (who wasn’t a Christian) described it this way:

“The difference between Christianity and every other faith in the world is that all other religions are about man trying to reach up to God. Christianity is about God reaching down to man.”

This is a very important distinction,

Religion is a system of beliefs or a code of moral conduct that judges (qualifies or disqualifies) a person based on their adherence and obedience to certain codes, rules, laws, traditions, or the performance of required acts.

So how religious have you become? Are you distant from the real needs of those around you? Are you judgemental toward outsiders, afraid to get dirty, or “playing Christian” to feel better? Rest assured that Satan is playing you. The way you fight this, Jesus says, is by simply being the good neighbour who walks humbly, acts compassionately, and loves mercy. If you are thinking these qualities are not manly, you’re right. They’re godly. Are you religious? Or are you a Christian?

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” - Micah 6:8.

Relationship is the core of Christianity not religion. Religion asks the question, am I good enough, it makes everything about me – it's the label of the church I belong to, i.e Baptist....Seventh-day Adventist etc.. The Spiritual relationship we have with the Father – our Christianity, our faith, is all about Him and how much he loves us, then we can reach out to others through grace, through His example, not law. Religion honours law and our constant failure to keep it. Christianity restores and affirms us. It’s a little difficult to be guilty and joyful at the same time, don’t you think? You are forgiven, don’t keep asking for it. Thank Him for it.

Father, habits are difficult to overcome. No more asking, always thanking, I believe you have forgiven me for all my sin.

(Acknowledgements Men's Ministries)

Marshall Hall presents today's music - “Thanks.” Click on the picture to listen.

October 26 - Sell it on Ebay

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” - Proverbs 19:17

Two weeks ago I took outgrown clothes from my kids' wardrobes, sorted them out and put them up for sale on eBay. I have since sold 12 items for over £50 and still have more to sell. This £50, though it may seem a small amount, will go a long way in replacing some of the kids' outgrown clothes.

This wasn't the first time I sold used clothes on eBay. Over a year ago I sold a couple of my clothes on eBay after losing weight. I sold the clothes for over £100. It didn’t seem much but every little helps. I was then able to purchase a couple of garments with that money.

Our Church clothes sell best as they are often in good condition and attract buyers. The clothes we choose not to sell are taken to our local hospice where we have developed a relationship. In our case we take clothes to St Oswalds Hospice Charity shop in Newcastle who then sell them to help support their hospices.

Here are the 3 simple steps to selling on eBay:

1) List it. It's easy as taking pictures, describing your item, setting the price, and letting the site do the selling.

2) Ship it. When your item sells, ship it to your buyer. Print off eBay labels and then get discounts on shipping.

Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right. God’s kingdom belongs to them. Matthew 5:10

The freedom to worship is something that I have always had living in the United Kingdom. It is also the First Amendment of the American Constitution;

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

However, the bible reminds of a Christians martyrs like Stephen who died for their faith. One of the scenarios the refugee crisis has highlighted is religious persecution. Persecution watchdog group Open Doors reports that in 2016, Muslim refugees attacked some 743 Christian refugees while they were living in camps in Germany.

Open Doors officials say there could be even more unreported cases.

"The documented cases confirm that the situation of Christian refugees in German refugee shelters is still unbearable. As a minority they are discriminated against, beaten up by and receive death threats from Muslim refugees and partly by the Muslim staff (securities, interpreters, volunteers) on grounds of their religion," according to a major survey published by Open Doors Germany in October, representing a number of organizations, such as Persecuted Christians and the Needy, European Mission Society Fellowship, and the Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany.

"Taking these new cases into consideration there are now 743 Christian refugees who have reported religiously motivated attacks. With more staff at hand, a significantly higher number of cases could have been included in the survey," it added.

The refugees had fled from Syria and other regions, escaping terror groups and the violence from war. Instead, the Christian refugees found violence within what were supposed to be safe camps.

Amos 3:7 councils;

‘Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.’

Let us keep on praying for persecution of Christians around the world, but at the same time be aware that our time as believers is coming soon.

Our song today is ‘People get ready’. Click on the picture to listen.

‘What good is that …?’ John 6:9 NLT

Sometimes when you have a vision you should not wait until you have all the pieces or money together before you make a start. If you were to wait then sometimes your vision will die whilst waiting.

Observe what the disciples said to Jesus just before He fed five thousand hungry people: ‘There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?’ End of story? No, ‘Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people … And they all ate as much as they wanted … So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves’ (vv. 11-13 NLT).

God always gives you something to start with. But you have to look for it, recognise it, and put it into His hands. The miracle of multiplication happened when a boy took what he had and made it available to Jesus. The Bible says, ‘Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin’ (Zechariah 4:10 TLB). Don’t be afraid to take small steps, just make sure they’re steps of faith and God will work through you. Jesus said, ‘I will build my church’ (see Matthew 16:18). And what did He build it with? Twelve flawed people just like us! But when He poured Himself into them, the mix was so concentrated that when two of them got together they could turn whole towns upside down (see Acts 17:6). You say, ‘But I’ve so many shortcomings.’

We all come to the Lord damaged and in need of repair. But the good news is, you can be strong in some areas and struggling in others and God can still use you - as long as you’re willing to start with what you’ve got.

Adapted from UCB

Hillsong sing ‘Draw me close to you’. Click on the picture to listen.

October 21-22

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” - Psalm 121: 1-8

I remember the first time I visited the Lake District in the UK. I had taken my mother for a holiday in the area to celebrate her eighty-fifth birthday. Each day we toured a different part of the district taking in a lake, and places of particular interest, such as William Shakespeare's church and burial site – his home at Grasmere and Beatrix Potter's home and gardens at Hilltop Farm, Sawrey etc.

One evening, determined to use up every last minute of the sunshine, we drove across the moors to a place I had always thought was fictional – just the lyrics of a childhood song....”D'you ken John Peel” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVqMybMluBM. John Peel was a Cumbrian farmer and huntsman who died on 13^th November 1854. The place mum and I were heading for that evening was St. Kentigen's church at Caldbeck near Wigston where John Peel is buried – the church he and his relatives attended throughout his life.

For a small island we are truly blessed. The scenery of The Lakes is spectacular, breathtaking – and this is only one place out of many others. Spring, summer, autumn or winter, it doesn't matter, as each season brings with it it's own 'renewal', including well loved stamping grounds.

There's no wonder that Jesus retreated to the hills and mountains when He was under pressure from the crowds, or just needed to be alone with His Father.

Whenever we are in a position where we have a decision to make and don’t trust ourselves. When we need time to think and pray, to see what God has in mind, we can do no better than escape and spend time in the hills. In the midst of a sixty-hour work weeks being the typical for many, it's difficult to hear anything but our own anxious thoughts buzzing around in our heads.

This was where I was when I went on holiday to The Lakes. Both mum and I were exhausted and emotionally drained from 24 hour care of my dad who had recently died. During that time I had continued working full-time during the day, and caring for him through the night to allow her to get some rest....then after his death, mum's health surrendered to the stress she had been under. She had a heart attack followed by a massive stroke – praise God for His love and care – she survived – hence the trip to The Lakes.

We both needed the solitude of the hills where we could spend time alone with the Lord. I also had a decision to make. It was a straight choice. Continue working full-time in the work I loved, or give it all up to care for mum who was at risk if left alone? I needed advice from Someone who knew what the future months and years would hold for us both. Only the Lord could give it.

That day we found a great mountain lake, framed by blue skies reflected on the serene surface of the lake below. As I took in the scene, I sensed the pressure and stress that had characterized my life for months seeping away. It felt as though I were exhaling after a prolonged period of time in which I had been holding my breath. I don’t remember how long I looked at that peaceful scene, but I was in no hurry to get away.

As time passed, it occurred to me that the world was a far bigger place than I had lately made it. I had been obsessing over my tiny slice of it, forgetting that the world God made is expansive, full of possibilities. I felt a new freedom to step into an unexpected possibility that had recently presented itself. When I returned home, I had made my decision to give up my employment and begin the next phase of my 'career'

Sitting by that mountain lake—this experience – one of many, convinced me it is possible to sense God’s presence simply by experiencing the wonder of his creation. I knew that when I returned home I would find the same solace and Presence in our own small garden whenever the pressure of caring mounted. I could, and can, attend His drop-in advice sessions as and when need arises.

When was the last time you were able to sense God’s presence in the midst of His creation? I encourage you to make time this week to take in the beauty of the world that He has made – even if it has to be your own garden. Take your worries and dilemmas with you, talk them over. If you have a decision to make that will also affect the lives of others, talk it over, the Lord will give you all the time you need, then step out in faith – you won't regret it – I know I didn't.

At this time of year the autumn scenery is gorgeous!!

“God's Beautiful Creation” - how can we not believe! Click on the picture of autumn in Ambleside to listen. Enjoy.

October 19 – One touch

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole." Mark 5:25-34 KJV

Twelve years? Can you imagine being ill for 12 years? Sadly in this world there are many who, all their lives, have known nothing but illness or disability. Illness wears our bodies out, not only causing physical weakness, but also emotional and mental instability.. We don't know her name, but we do know she was desperate and “had spent all that she had – she'd gone from doctor to doctor seeking a cure, seeking healing. Scripture tells us that “she had heard of Jesus.” She'd heard the good news that many who were touched by Jesus, were healed of different diseases....hope, at last she had hope.

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." Matthew 4:23 KJV

She not only had hope, but she also had faith - Faith that a touch from the Master could change situations. A touch from the Master could change circumstances. A touch from the Master could heal her.

If you or your loved ones have been ill, you'll be more than aware that regardless of our faith, sickness makes us fearful. Trusting God for healing can be a challenge. Negative thoughts constantly try to weedle their way into the mind – oh yes, the devil doesn't miss a stroke! .

It's important to remember that the Lord brings healing in answer to our prayers in many ways. In our Scripture reading, the woman was made completely physically whole, but for some He gives spiritual, emotional and mental healing – healing and strength to cope, and live with, the physical condition which continues. On the surface it seems harsh that one persons prayer for complete healing is answered, and another's not, but this is where our faith takes a grip. Didn't He tell us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” - Jeremiah 29:11

Do not be afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36 KJV

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4 KJV

I am sure the woman had fears, but she knew a touch from Jesus would make everything right.

How do we receive a touch from the Master? Trust is the key. The woman with the issue of blood said in her heart: “If I only touch the hem of His garment, I shall be healed”. She believed all she needed was a touch from Jesus. She trusted, had confidence that if she just touched the hem of His garment, she would be made whole. She had confidence that when she touched Him, she would receive healing.

In response, Jesus reached out and touched her. In that moment, she left His presence a healed woman. If we seek Him, if we ask Him, Jesus will touch us, and we will leave His presence healed – restored.

Do you need a touch from the Master today? Then just say, “Jesus I need your touch.”  Believe and have confidence that you will receive His powerful touch!

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” - Isaiah 40:29-31

(Acknowledgements ODG.org)

Father, as I join my faith with those reading these words who need a touch from You, touch and remove fear, touch and build faith, touch and heal. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Music for today is, “He Touched Me” - Gaither Vocal Band. *LIVE) Click on the picture to listen.

"Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.  Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net. Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!  Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber" - Proverbs 6:4-11

The water bill popped into my email box. Well, it dripped in as I hadn’t noticed it straight away. I’m one of those people who doesn’t leave till tomorrow what I can do today. I know that if I put things off – I forget them. Me? I know me.

 There was the news about the £10DR, that my next payment was to be £24 and that there was nothing I need to do.

 Isn’t it reassuring when a company tells you there is nothing to worry about? They have let you know that all is fine with the world. They care about you. Your thought is that all is fine with the world and you can continue with your head above water.

 Really? There are a few pitfalls in thinking like this. I guess utility companies do care about you. They care that they don’t break the law. They care that you pay the next bill. They care that you will stay with them as a customer. They probably don’t actually care about you. That means when you start thinking your bill is OK, start checking things out.

Take your bill and start to question it. What does £10DR mean? I still don’t know, I rather think that it means I owe the company some money. That in itself tells me that all is not well with my world. Do you think I should check what DR means?

 How about the next comment, ‘just pay the £24’. That sounds reasonable, it sounds just like my last bill. I checked. I didn’t pay £24 last time. I paid less. No wonder the water company say, “Don’t worry”, they’re going to get more of my money.

 Then I thought, I’ve checked one thing and found a problem. What if there are some more problems? I wondered if they had the water measurement correct. We pay our water bill on a meter. A meter is the best way to pay your bill if you don’t use much water. I went outside, I hunted out the plastic cover for the meter, dug it out, shone the flashlight down and took the reading. It didn’t look the same as the estimated bill. It wasn’t.

 I could have left it at that but realised I needed to report the new reading on the website. It’s a good job I keep all these things close to hand. It took moments to report it using my secure password. My unique personal password here has 25 letters that I can instantly recall. I have a different password for every account. They all have many letters. I can remember every single one. I know that I had used more water than the estimate, but I reported it. If I delayed the true report I would still have to pay it someday. Better to pay it when it is low than when it is too high. More to the point, reporting the bill means I can keep track of whether that meter is working properly, or whether there is some crazy leakage going on.

What has this got to do with a Christian website? We all know that the money we have in our pocket is God’s money – so why not look after the money properly? More to the point, keeping a check on what we do provides us with a lesson in the world around us.

 Our world is not the place where we can trust everyone around us. We can trust most people, but we can’t trust all people. We should be able to check the activities of others, we should also keep a track on ourselves.

Next time a bill comes into your inbox or pops through the letterbox don’t just assume it is right. Don’t just think it is alright. Check the individual details out, it doesn’t take long, it may save you money, it may save you from a disaster.

41 Jesus sat near the Temple collection box and watched as people put money into it. Many rich people put in a lot of money. 42 Then a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth less than a penny. 43 Jesus called his followers to him and said, “This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. 44 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had. It was money she needed to live on.” Mark 12: 41-44

The story of the widow’s mite in the gospel of Mark is often held up as an example, in Christendom, of heart rather than wealth giving. My definition of these concepts being the difference between giving because you can afford to, as opposed to giving because spiritually you can’t afford not to.

I have heard sermons on this and indeed read this passage many times. However, I really did not grasp the true concept until I came across this video below. A random stranger is presented with a large some of money and she has 24hours to decide whether to take it or give it away. I won’t do a spoiler by giving away the outcome, all I will say is to watch until the end.

May we all have this mite of faith. 

No music today. Please click on the picture to watch the video clip. You might need a hanky, I did.

‘Give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty.’ John 4:15 NIV (1984 Edition)

In Alcoholics Anonymous’ twelve-step programme those seeking recovery are taught that when they become ‘restless, irritable, and discontent’ they’re in danger of going back to their drug of choice. And that doesn’t work! Why? Because inside each of us there’s a God-shaped blank that only He can fill. Some of us try to fill the blank with human relationships.

Jesus met a woman who’d been divorced five times and was now living with her boyfriend. The conversation went like this: ‘Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty”’ (vv. 13-15 NIV 1984 Edition). Your body tells you when it’s hungry and thirsty. So does your soul - and if you’re wise you’ll listen.

The only ‘safe’ addiction is total surrender and dependency on God! We all have a tendency to respond to what our flesh craves instead of what our spirit needs. So we turn to things like work, sex, and entertainment. Now we’ve added a new one - the Internet. Psychologists are actually treating people with ‘Internet addiction’. Honestly! King David had it all: power, popularity, pleasure, and possessions. But it left him empty, so he wrote, ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God’ (Psalm 42:1 NIV 1984 Edition).

Learn to recognise when you are ‘restless, irritable, and discontent’ and reach for God.

Adapted from Word for today.

Bryn found this beautiful Norwegian song for me 'The Blessing'. Click on the picture to listen.

October 14-15 – Meet my Friend

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" - Psalms 139:13-14

Would you like to be introduced? May I introduce you to Jesus? You may not know him yet on an intimate basis but I can assure you that he knows you. In Psalm 139 the Bible tells us that even before we were a twinkle in our parent's eye, Jesus knew us – knew exactly how many hairs we would have on our heads.

So from the very beginning of our lives He was there. And that little tug you may be feeling on your heart when you least expect it, or right now, that is the Holy Spirit calling you into a new adventure, a new relationship, deep, intimate and loving.

If you've ever been told that following Jesus (being a Christian) is a bunch of rules, regulations, do's and don'ts I can tell you that isn't true. Yes, there is a moral code of conduct (the 10 Commandments), but they are all about friendship, acceptance and love.

Jesus makes it plain. This is how He summarises the Commandments:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” -

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

But I don't want to mislead you; it's also about total surrender and counting the cost. It cost Jesus everything when He went to the cross on your behalf and it will cost you everything when you make him Lord of your life. Step out, your life is about to begin!

I can tell you, Jesus is worth knowing more than any other person you have ever met, or will meet. There's a little spot – a God spot - in the centre of your hearts that is empty and lonely waiting for God's love and Jesus is the only one who can fill it. He's the only one who can take away all of our sins as if they'd never been committed. Jesus accepts us as we are and then transforms us into who God created us to be our best selves - our real destiny.

One of my very favourite things about Jesus is that we can be honest with him....tell him what we really think and how we really feel. Talk to him every day – friend to friend - spend time with him - stay close to Him and you'll never be alone for the rest of your life…if you decide to meet him that is.

The first step

Barbara Lardinais writes: Are you ready to make the step? If you are, there is a simple procedure. This isn't like a job application or admission to a selective university. You can know going in that you are going to be accepted if you are sincere. I didn't meet Jesus in a church or through another person, although that is fine and many have found him that way. I was alone in my bedroom. This is all about the heart. The procedure is to simply ask Him to come into your heart. Tell Him you are ready to make him Lord of your life. Tell Him you are done with your own ways and your own plans. Ask Him to make you clean from every wrong thing you have ever done. Tell Him you love him and you will follow Him for the rest of your life as He gives you the grace to do so. Use your own words; speak out of your own heart. That's it. That is the first step to the rest of your life.

Take it now....you have a marvelous trip ahead of you. If we never meet on this earth, I'm confident I'll see you in eternity.

Dallas Holm sings “Come Unto Jesus” - music choice today. Click on the picture to listen.