March 31

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Proverbs 20.1

When was the last time you had a drink? I am not talking about water but as the text says plainly a ‘strong’ drink? As Christians who follow the health message, alcohol is a substance that should no longer be indulged. So then, this passage no longer applies to us, does it?

Tee-totalers in my experience have a tendency to slightly ‘have a go’ or ‘bash’ those who drink with the message of temperance i.e. no fermented drink should pass the lips. I hold my hand up and say that I have done this especially when cornered by my slightly loud and tipsy friends who are puzzled as to why I do not drink.

“Not even at Christmas or on your birthday?”

“Not even to wet the baby’s head.”

No, thrice no. But this text is relevant if we even superficially look at reasons as to why people drink. There are many but to name a few; boredom, to relieve pressure, to forget, temporary pleasure, addiction, to relieve inhibitions, to fit in and the list could go on.

When reading the key text this thought occurred to me. Why do people watch TV, buy wall robes full of clothes or shoes that they are never going to wear, spend excessive hours consuming media through Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or equivalent outlets, play computer games through game consoles like Playstation or Xbox or Wii. Are these not just substitutes for facing or dealing with life? Isn’t binge drinking or pub-crawling the same as watching TV soap after soap? Proverbs 20:1 does not mention the word addiction but it does the word deceived. Neither or them are words that naturally have positive connotations although there are some.

So you don’t drink. Ok, so what is your substitute? Let us schedule more time for God to develop a deeper relationship with him.

 

The song today is by Smokie Norful ‘I need you now.’ Click on the picture to listen.

  

March 30

²⁸ Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; ²⁹ But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. ³⁰ Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:28-30

 

The Solar Eclipse which happened on Friday March 20^th 2015 gave me an interesting perspective on something that I have been thinking about lately.

8.15 - During morning staff briefing at school we were given instructions on how to watch the eclipse, with our backs to the sun and using a piece of paper with a pinprick to view the image on the ground. We were told to instruct the children not to look directly to the sun as this might cause damage to the eyes.

9.20 - The whole school was buzzing with excited children churning out of classrooms and bustling down to the courtyard with pinpricked pieces of paper. From what had been a glorious sunny day, the temperature dropped to a bitter cold still moment as the minutes approached for the eclipse.

9.25 - The birds stopped singing and retreated to their nests, although I could not appreciate the promised eerie silence with 700+ school aged children milling around.

9.28 – The moment had arrived, the first solar eclipse in the United Kingdom since August 11, 1999. What a moment!

I looked in awe at the strange shape being projected through my manicured pinpricked piece of paper and glanced up to gauge the response from some of the students. This is what I observed.

• Pupils taking the opportunity to take their mobile phones out and take ‘selfies’ with their friends and the eclipse.
• Children laughing and chatting paying no attention to what the moment was for.
• Those who asked not to go outside because they did not want to witness the spectacle sitting, reading, in the library.

²⁸ Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; ²⁹ But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. ³⁰ Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

 

Even though the situation was not quite the same, the irony was not lost on me. Let us continue to work hard for the Master to be ready when He comes.

The song for this morning is 'Jesus is coming soon' by the Gaithers.

MARCH 27-28 – The last...?

“Yea....though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me” - Psalm 23:4

Writing about her memories of the Battle of Britain, Dame Barbara Cartland recalls Winston Churchill, then Prime Minister, going to the Headquarters of Air Vice-Marshall K.R. Parks, Commander of the all-important No.11 Group. Radar screens were tracking the advance of German bombers. As each wave approached our islands, orders were given to put in the British fighter squadrons. Calmly, quietly, and showing no emotion in his voice, the Air Vice-Marshall spoke with authority. Winston Churchill watched in silence, face set and tense.

Wave after wave after wave of German bombers advanced, to have each attack made repelled by the fighter squadrons. Churchill spoke abruptly, “How many more have you got?” (fighter planes). Without a waver, the Air Vice-Marshall replied, “I am putting in my last.” Both men, eyes fixed on the radar screens, waited for the next German wave of bombers. It never came. Winston Churchill, with tears in his eyes, hurried to his car and returned to London.

It was during that journey that Churchill composed the never-to-be-forgotten phrase: “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed to so many by so many so few.”

This is never more true than with Christianity. Leading up to Christ's birth, astronomers were reading the stars (their radar screens), watching for the Messiah to come. With the birth of Jesus, also came the birth of Christianity. Jesus chose twelve men to be His disciples (His fighter squadron), to repel the enemy (satan and his crew) and spread the gospel of grace and salvation. The number of believers grew rapidly, and following Christ's resurrection, (Mark 10:32-34 - and return to heaven - (Acts 1:11, NIV) the eleven disciples and one hundred and twenty converts met together to sing and pray – (Acts 2: 2-12; 8:17)....the start of the advent movement.

These united followers laid their lives on the line to save others. Jesus had made it clear from the outset that, by placing themselves between the enemy and God's chosen, they could expect persecution and death – John 15:10 “ "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.…”

But that didn't deter them. In faith they faced a martyr's death, believing in the truth of the Resurrection, that they, like Jesus, would live again – James1:2 NIV “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Each of the disciples were persecuted for spreading God's word, or finally died or were killed in action.

Simon Called Peter by Christ died 33-34 years after the death of Christ. Crucified at his request, upside down.

James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ.

Andrew is reported to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia

Matthew - There is a legend that he died a martyr in Ethiopia.

Thomas - His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a lance.

James Alpheus - According to tradition, James son of Alpheus was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

Jude (Thaddeus) - was martyred.

Down through the centuries, millions of believers have stood fast with the courage of their convictions, facing down the enemy. And still today, all over the world, God's people face persecution, death, and imprisonment, because they refuse to deny Jesus, their Saviour and Redeemer. It could be said that when compared to the vast world population over these years the number of faithful is few, but it's by their sacrifice that we today, still have access to the Bible, God's Word, and the privilege of being part of His family.

It can truly be said, “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.”

Marilla Ness sings our choice of music today - “Be Not Afraid.”

MARCH 26 - Yea, or nay

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” - Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

I came across this poem by an unknown author. It brought to mind the many warnings the Bible gives about the power our words hold over the lives of others:

Proverbs 18:21 ESV says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” - Proverbs 12:18 ESV

Keep a watch on your words, my children

For words are wonderful things.

They are sweet, like the bees fresh honey

Like bees, they have terrible stings.

They can bless like the warm glad sunshine

And brighten a lonely life.

They can cut in the strife of anger

Like an open two-edged knife.

Let them pass through your lips unchallenged

If their errand be grand and kind.

If they come to support the weary

To comfort and help the blind...

If a bitter and revengeful spirit

Prompt the words, let them be still....

They may flash through the brain like lightening

Or fall on the heart like lead....

Keep them back if they're cold and cruel

Under bar and lock and seal....

The wounds they make my children

Are always slow to heal....

May God guard your lips and ever

From the time of your early youth....

May the words that you daily utter

Be the words of wonderful truth.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” - Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

“Wonderful Words of Life – Live, is our chosen music today.  Click on Word of Life picture to listen.

March 24

¹⁸ And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”²⁰ They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Matthew 4:18-20

Jesus was all about ministry in his time here on earth. His mission was about finding ways to reach people for the kingdom. I can only imagine the manner in which he spoke, his reassuring yet commanding tone, which transmitted confidence enough for the brothers Peter and Andrew to leave what they were doing and follow him.

“They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Without a pocket full of questions or even a plan as to how they would now be fishers of men, they followed.

I find that if I don’t have a plan for my day, much less my life, I end up going around in circles doing things over and over again and not really moving in any direction. If I don’t put appointments down on my calendar or a chore on my list, it just doesn’t get done. Mind you, even putting them down doesn’t give guarantees.

If we go through our day/life just trying to complete our ‘tick lists’ or ‘getting work out of the way’ so that we can enjoy our time is that a good enough plan? Are we really living or just surviving doing our best to be good citizens?

Jesus gives promises that will guide us daily.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16

After we have sought daily after Gods kingdom, we are to hold fast to his words of life so that our struggle here on earth may not be in vain. Be encouraged - God has the plan and His never fails so today let us seek after His words of life.

Our music today is slightly different with Amos in mind who encourages daily - thank you. 'Wonderful words of life'. Click on the picture to listen.

March 23

'...I have come that they may have life...to the full.' John 10:10

Psychologists have begun to speak of what is perhaps today's largest mental health problem. And it's a rapidly growing problem. They call it 'FTT', which means 'failure to thrive'. When you have it, you're still able to function, but you've lost your sense of hope and meaning. FTT isn't the presence of mental illness; it's the absence of mental, spiritual and emotional vitality.

In ancient lists of deadly sins it was called 'acedia', which means 'weariness of soul and inability to delight in life'. It's why Jesus looked at a crowd of people with dead marriages, dead-end jobs, and a feeling of inner deadness, and said, 'I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full' (John 10:10 NIV). In a vision, Ezekiel saw a valley full of dead bones. It was FTT in its final form. God asked him, 'Can these bones live?' He replied, '...You alone know' (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV). God did know, and He made them come alive. And He can cause you to live again, and to thrive. The Talmud says that every blade of grass has an angel bending over it whispering, 'Grow, grow.' Paul said that in Christ the whole redeemed company '...grows and builds itself up in love...' (Ephesians 4:16 NIV). But it's not just about you. God wants you to flourish so that people can be encouraged, gardens can be planted, music can be written, sick people can be helped, or companies can thrive in ways they otherwise would not. So let's stop and propose a toast: 'Here's to the person God designed, desired, and has determined you will become!'  UCB Daily Reading


The song today encourages us as to why Jesus came. 'I come that you might have life' by Andre Crouch. Click on the picture to listen.

MARCH 20-21 - Safe Harbour

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” - Romans 5:2-5

There are times in our lives that no matter what we do or try, obstacle after obstacle prevents us from achieving our goal, and we feel like giving up. Whether we do give up, or persevere, depends on the importance and value we place on our goal.

Francis Chichester is an example of this, when at the age of 65 years of age, he accomplished his ambition to sail single-handed around the world in 226 days – further, faster, than anyone in history. When he sailed into Plymouth Harbour on 28^th May 1967, the world had good reason to cheer.

Just weeks before, heavy seas in the South Indian Ocean, had battered his 53-foot sailing boat, “Gypsy Moth IV,” and the automatic steering gear broke, Chichester had almost given up. Without this essential equipment, Francis Chichester knew he would be unable to sleep, eat, navigate, change sails, or perform other vital survival tasks. Focusing on the end goal, he patched together a make-shift self-steering rig and completed the remaining 2,750 miles to make it to his only land stop – Sydney, Australia, where he rested for some weeks. He took this opportunity to re-fit his damaged boat and regain the 25 pounds weight he had lost before setting off on the most dangerous part of his trip – crossing the Pacific and rounding the notorious Cape Horn at the tip of South America, and on to his final goal....Plymouth Harbour.

Later Chichester was quoted as saying, “There is something nightmarish about deep breaking seas and screaming winds. I had a feeling of helplessness before the power of the waves rolling down on top of me. It all has ten times the impact when alone.” At any point he could have called it quits, but he heaped effort upon effort, saying, “I stick to the helm when I'm hardest hit; it's when the storm winds break that I just won't quit.” Through his victory, the world became a little richer.

Chichester's battle with the high seas epitomised the uphill struggle millions of people face in their lives. His “can-do” spirit is an inspiration to us to renew our determination not to quit when the going gets tough.

Perhaps you are facing a situation at the moment where everything seems to be going wrong, and the odds are stacked against you – place of work? a relationship? It may even be religion - you feel burnt-out, and as though your prayers are going no further than the ceiling....and you feel like giving up.

Jesus too could have given up. At any stage from before birth to the resurrection, He could have called it quits, but He didn't. When the going got tough He kept His eyes focused on His purpose, His goal – our salvation “....I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest” - John 10:10.

We will win through and reach the safe Harbour, if we just make Jesus our automatic steering gear.

Our music gives assurance that no matter how tough our going gets God will “Stand by Me” - Elvis Presley.

MARCH 19 -A miracle of trust

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” - John 8:12

“The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” -Psalms 27:1 -

Part of my past work was with deaf-blind clients, who ranged in age from young babies to the very frail elderly. I recall one special week that, along with colleagues from across the Nth of England, I accompanied a party of mixed age, housebound, deaf-blind people to a hotel in Scarborough. Communication levels varied, so touch and sign language were essential. Some individuals had not had a holiday, or used the spoken word for many years. It was demanding and exhausting as each of us provided 24 hour care, attention, and entertainment to our allotted friends. But it was the most rewarding experience of my life. Anne Sullivan related to these same feelings about her association with Helen Keller.

Helen Keller was just nine months old when she contracted a severe illness which left her totally deaf and blind. For nearly seven years Helen lived in a world of silence and darkness, with no emotional outlet for an otherwise intelligent child. The result was violent outbursts of temper. Then came Anne Sullivan, a specialist teacher, and a remarkable breakthrough began.

As the years passed, Helen developed into a woman of great culture and spiritual insight, Helen Keller is renowned throughout the world for her courage and perseverance – triumph over tragedy – as much for Anne Sullivan as for Helen.

We get a true insight into the character of Helen in a letter she wrote at the age of eleven, to Rev. Phillip Brooks – this is taken from her autobiography:

“My dear Mr Brooks. I send you my picture as promised, and I hope when you look at it this summer your thoughts will fly southward to your happy little friend. I used to wish I could see pictures with my hands as I do statues, but now I do not often think about it because my dear Father has filled my mind with beautiful pictures, even of things I cannot see.

If the light were not in your eyes, dear Mr Brooks, you could understand how happy your your little Helen was when her teacher explained to her that the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, but just felt in the heart. Every day I find out something that makes me glad.

Yesterday I thought for the first time what a beautiful thing motion was, and it seemed to me that everything was trying to get near to God, does it seem that way to you? It is Sunday morning, and while I sit here in the library writing this letter, you are teaching hundreds of people some of the grand and beautiful things about their heavenly Father. Are you not very, very happy? And when you are a bishop you will preach to more people and more and more will be made glad. Teacher sends her kind remembrances, and I send you with my picture my love. From your little friend.

What is less known is the fact that Anne Sullivan was also visually impaired as the result of contracting trachoma at the age of five years, and came from a background of destitution in a workhouse, before gaining an education at the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Her life story too is an inspiration.

The Lord was certainly the light that lit and guided the lives of these two extraordinary ladies. Their faith in Him was implicit, revealing a depth of peace and happiness those of us in the 'seeing' world rarely achieve. They also had in common an iron determination to use the abilities and talents they had been given, to improve the lives, and open doors, for millions of people with sight impairments. They are indeed, an example to us all of what God can, and will do if we ask.

“God Will Make a Way” - Selah, our music today. Click on the picture of Anne, and Helen as she discovered water, and the breakthrough began.

March 17

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

 Who do you trust? The motto of the United States of America (USA) is ‘in God we trust.’ Indeed it has appeared on the $2 dollar paper bill since 1957, more for political reasons than religious ones. The Dutch also have a similar inscription on their coins, which dates back to the 18^th century ‘God zij met ons’ which translated means ‘God be with us’. Although not a motto, many British coins contain a drawing of the queen identified as "Elizabeth II D.G. REG. F.D." This is an abbreviation of a Latin phrase, which means "Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen, Defender of the Faith." In Britain, the monarch is the head of the Church of England. Canadian coins carry the phrase "Elizabeth II D.G. Regina." She is the queen of Canada but is not the "Defender of the Faith," because Canada does not have a state religion for her to defend.

Have you considered that people put more trust in money than they do in God? I overheard two boys arguing,

“Well God doesn’t exist because I can’t see him. I can see my PlayStation so I know that exists. How can you trust in something that you can’t see?”

The more his Christian friend tried to convince him, the harder the conversation became as other boys joined in and started to mock him. I intervened at this point and had a conversation with them about mutual respect of ones culture, religion and race. The world culture of consumerism doesn’t lend itself kindly to Christianity, as it doesn’t provide instant gratification as a computer game does. We need to remind ourselves of the key text

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Faith is an integral part of the Christianity; indeed it has to be at the apex. We must first believe that God is and then diligently seek Him. So do we then leave the unbeliever if they do not believe? No, Deuteronomy 4:27-29 reads,

“And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. ²⁸ And there you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. ²⁹ But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

We are called to serve; it is God who does the saving. Today serve Him with gladness and claim the promise of His reward.

 

The song today is an affirmation of our faith 'You are God alone' by Philips, Craig and Dean.

March 16

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Have you ever considered being a late starter? To be honest it is not a concept that on first presentation seems to hold much promise. I know that in F1 car racing, the car which starts late usually ends up at the back on the race. Likewise, the sprinter who pulls off last after the starter gun has sounded, rarely finished the race at the front.

I was recently asked when was the right time to begin learning a musical instrument. I replied as soon as you can as long as there is interest and enthusiasm. The reply came back

“Well it’s too late for me now, I’m 29.”

I smiled.

Consider some of these individuals who were considered late starters.

Mary Wesley - had her first novel, Jumping The Queue, published when she was 70

Colonel Sanders - real name Harland Sanders, started his KFC empire at the age of 65. He had previously worked as farmhand, an army mule-tender and a locomotive fireman

Fauja Singh - the 103-year-old marathon runner took part in his first marathon at the age of 89. He is thought to be the oldest marathon runner in the world.

Peter Mark Roget published the Roget’s Thesaurus that made him a household name when he was 73.

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better know as Grandma Moses, started painting when she was 75 and ended up becoming one of the most famous American painters.

 

It is never too late to begin something worthwhile like to renew your relationship with Jesus. Or if you feel like you’ve never really had one that was deep and meaningful, start now - begin today. With Jesus, you will never be classed as a late bloomer.

 

Our song today is 'Smile' by Kirk Franklin. Listen to the words and you will know why.