South views

Reformation.

2011-08-03T19:17:00.003+01:00

A number of things have stirred this post, not least the word of God. In Ezra 9 we read of the scribe hearing about the sin of intermarrying that had was taking place among the people of God. Something that had benn expressely forbidden in God's Word. Ezra, laments the situation and then prays to the Lord. His prayer is not in the third person plural 'they' have done this, bu the first person plural 'we' and 'our'. Ezra does not stand distant from the sin of the people but confesses as one of the people. He would never have done this, but that does not stop him from saying 'WE have forsken your commandments', and 'OUR iniquities'. We find the same unity of prophet/scribe and people in Daniel 9.
These men and the other prophets were members of the 'people of God' and called to minister to the people of God. Not to react in holy disdain and separate themelves and gather a righteouse group around them. No God used them to preach his word and through that word to seek reformation of what had become a sinful Israel. God wanted repentance from the people in response to hearing his word of grace, but also warning. Even in disciplining them, which finally resulted in exile, the Lord always was seeking for them to return to him.
Jeremiah, who was cofronted with the wickedness of Israel and preaching to them about their coming judgement was overwhelmed with grief and wanted to flee away.

Jeremiah 9:1 Oh that my head were waters And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people! 2 Oh that I had in the desert A wayfarers' lodging place; That I might leave my people And go from them! For all of them are adulterers, An assembly of treacherous men.

However in verse 6 The Lord reminds him that his dwelling is in the midst of decit. In the midst of this rebellious people he must stay and declare God's word to them. God is in the business of reforming. He calls to repentance the rebellious and then through his word and Spirit he changes them from one degree of glory to another.
Moreover to confirm my thinking I turned to something I read many years ago and underlined. John Calvin the great reformer in his Institutes Book IV Ch. 1 Sect. 18.

18. The examples of the prophets

On this head, Christ himself, his apostles, and almost all the prophets, have furnished us with examples. Fearful are the descriptions in which Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Habakkuk, and others, deplore the diseases of the Church of Jerusalem. In the people, the rulers, and the priests, corruption prevailed to such a degree, that Isaiah hesitates not to liken Jerusalem to Sodom and Gomorrah, (Isa. 1: 10.) Religion was partly despised, partly adulterated, while in regard to morals, we every where meet with accounts of theft, robbery, perfidy, murder, and similar crimes. The prophets, however, did not therefore either form new churches for themselves, or erect new altars on which they might have separate sacrifices, but whatever their countrymen might be, reflecting that the Lord had deposited his word with them, and instituted the ceremonies by which he was then worshipped, they stretched out pure hands to him, though amid the company of the ungodly. Certainly, had they thought that they thereby contracted any pollution, they would have died a hundred deaths sooner than suffer themselves to be dragged thither. nothing, therefore, prevented them from separating themselves, but a desire of preserving unity. But if the holy prophets felt no obligation to withdraw from the Church on account of the very numerous and heinous crimes, not of one or two individuals, but almost of the whole people, we arrogate too much to ourselves, if we presume forthwith to withdraw from the communion of the Church, because the lives of all accord not with our judgement, or even with the Christian profession.

It is therefore incumbent on me not to abandon the Church of England in holy indignation which is where I was baptised, confirmed and converted. But to say, Lord have mercy on your beloved Church and forgive OUR sin. Restore Us for the sake of your great Name and glory.

The church's one Foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav'n he came and sought her
To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.

Elect from ev'ry nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food.
And to one hope she presses,
With ev'ry grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain and cherish
Is with her to the end;
Though there be those that hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

'Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious
Shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With the God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee.

Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things.

2011-06-22T15:28:00.011+01:00

We can read things so many times and sing them and, being an organist play them whilst singing and yet one day we come to the words again and we see something we have never seen before. I sang this hymn this morning in my family worship time and I stopped on the last verse and meditated on it.

If in our delightfully serving the Lord we need things so that we can fulfill that service, the Lord makes them his cares and provides so that we can do his will. We need not fear of going into anything that is his revealed will and thinking we are going to be without - he will provide.

In light of my present work situation and dropping to only twenty five hours a week, I have enrolled on a course so that I may work full time in the future which we know is the Lord's will for all of us. Having read this verse I prayed that he would provide all the funds I need to live and do the course.

Later on in the day the penultimate verse was fulfilled. Make trial of his love, ask and you will receive - experience proves it. My line manager said that when the new work regime comes into operation then there would be the possibility of doing the occasional days of overtime. Hallelujah! This would provide me with a little extra income and also give me enough time to do my course.

O magnify the Lord with me!!
He brings deliverance to all those who look to him as their loving Heavenly Father and bring their cares to him.

The Potter

2011-06-15T17:57:00.008+01:00

On Monday I sent out a prayer request to my brothers and sisters in Christ concerning developments at work. In a nutshell, to continue doing what I am doing I shall have to drop down to a twenty five hour contract. I can just make ends meet but that can only be a temporary situation I need to find something else to do.

So I needed and still need prayer. That evening I read my portion of scripture which was Isa. 45. I was tired and did not fully take in the references of the potter.

The next day, Tuesday, while on my round I started to reflect on the potter image. As I meditated I was filled with a sense of peace and comfort in my present situation.

The potter has firm but gentle hands. He knows what he has in mind for that lump of clay. He fashions it accordingly. At a certain point he may need to move it to another workbench to continue his work. Seeking to bring his creation to perfection.

The clay is me and my father is the potter. I can rest, assured that my Lord knows what he is doing and I just have to trust him. In my life situation outside of work I have had this expectation in providential events that a chapter was closing and something new was to start. This I think is the beginning of it, but I shall wait on the Lord and commit my plans to him, following his revelaed word in the scriptures.

I thank my brothers and sisters for their prayers for peace and for my soul to rest in this work providence. I have that peace and can rest in my Saviour's good, firm and gentle hands.

Today, Wednesday, my morning worhsip hymn happened to be this.

My times are in thy hand;
My God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul, I leave
Entirely to thy care.

My times are in thy hand;
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to thee.

My times are in thy hand;
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.

My times are in thy hand;
Jesus the Crucified;
Those hands my cruel sins had pierced
Are now my guard and guide.

Further reassurance for my soul. How great and loving is our God when we humble ourselves and rest in him. His lovingkindness is indeed everlasting.

Scottish Reformed Conference

2011-05-14T19:23:00.003+01:00

Just got back from the SRC held annually in Hamilton, Scotland. Normally I am working on a Saturday, but I had holiday leave this week and something made me think of the SRC as it is normally on around this time of year. Well, I looked on the www and to my greatest joy it was on this weekend, May 14th. I set off on a lovely day and got there about 9.40am twenty minutes before the due start. I had remembered the way from two previous occasions when I had been and had also been greatly blessed.

As I was waiting to sign in, and old friend from my Free Church College days greeted me and was visibly pleased to see me. The feeling was mutual. We shared a few words and then I signed in. The Banner of Truth had a comprehensive book store there and I succumbed and bought one. I'll tell you about it in a later post.

The speakers this year were Dr Joel Beeke from Grand Rapids Michigan USA and Steve Currie form Bangor NI. Steve was standing in for Ted Donnelley who was booked to come but was unable due to his illness. Dr Beeke gave two outstanding talks one from Romans 7:22-25 and the Christians struggle with remaining indwelling sin. His theme for the day was Keep on keeping on. In summary, the Christians delight is in the Law of God, but there is an inward dileema namely sin which wars against our inward delight in the law of God. And then there is deliverance through the Lord Jesus Christ. Excellent preaching, warm, penetrating, experiential, Puritan, and a great blessing. His second message which was I the afternoon was on Hebrews 12:1-2 and the race we face as Christians. The mission to endure, the manner to rid ourselves of sin which hinders the mission. The example of Christ was given as the positive and our shunning the evil as the negative aspect. Finally, we have a multitude to encourage us. OT saints, NT saints, Church history saints,present day siants, and our church to which we belong. Again the message was challenging and encouraging and motivating.

Steve Currie spoke on Phillippians 2:5-11 and the example of Christ given by Paul to maintain unity in the church. We must have the attitude of Christ that: 1) surrenders position for the people of God, 2) surrenders yourself to serve the people of God, 3)is submissivley obedient to the will of God., 4) waits patiently for the vindication of God and lastly 5) is motivated by the Glory of God. Again excellent word and made us all look to our often proud hearts.
As you can tell we were well fed with the Word of God, and it was blessed to us all through the Spirit of Christ in the preachers and in the hearers. But in addition I was also blessed in the fellowship. The singing of Psalms and God centred hymns to just a piano! And the meeting of dear Christian friends whom I had not seen for quite some time, who were an encouragement and a blessing.

Our gracious God has provided for his people in his word and in belonging to others united in Christ through the Spirit. Brothers and sisters made one in our blessed Saviour.
I recently preached on Psalm 87 and the glories of Zion. The last line of that psalm is appropriate for what we all experienced to day. Ps 87:7 Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, "All my springs of joy are in you." Our springs or fountains of joy are found in Zion for that is where Christ is and we know what Zion truly is from Hebrews.

Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

May God the blessed trinity be praised for all his grace that he bestowed on his people.

How could I end without John Newtons commentary on Psalm 87

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken
Formed thee for his own abode:
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove;
Who can faint, while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t'assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hov'ring,
See the cloud and fire appear
For a glory and a cov'ring,
Showing that the Lord is near:
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which he gives them when they pray.

Saviour, if of Zion's city
I, through grace, a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy Name:
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion's children know.

Vocations - Love your neighbour.

2011-02-13T17:19:00.002Z

Aree you worried or concerned about what you are doing for the Lord and his kingdom. Then I suggest you read this book. Before reading this I had heard of vocation, but mainly in the specific area of Christian ministry. This book totally changes your perspective on life and living. Whatever we are doing is our vocation, our calling. And that calling is our good work. We are justified by Christ and what we do is our vocation and does not nor can it merit anything before God.
We have many different types of vocation at one time. Husband, father, worker, son to grandparents, role in church, citizen etc., and we are to look to who is our neighbour in those various life situations. Identify your neighbour and there we are to love and serve them.
Everyone has a vocation, believer and unbeliever. We are all called to serve and love our neighbour that is the law. An unbeleiver may do it with reluctance and see their vocation as just a job or a tiresome burden, but it is still their calling.
The author draws from Luther's teaching on this subject as outlined by Gustav Wingren 'Luther On Vocation'.
The whole book was edifying, informative and transforming in ones way of understanding your role in the world. Even helpful chapter on 'Bearing the cross in Vocation' and being tempted in vocation.
I would heartly recommend this book to every disciple in Christ, that they may grow and truly love and serve those around them.

No hymn this time - as vocation applies to all, believer and unbeliever. Yes one does what they do in faith but that is only on the inside. The work done by both is no different.

The Shepherd Leader

2011-01-01T13:26:00.004Z

When cast into doubt by experience go back to truth - God's word and his light shall shine upon your darkness. This has fortunately been my experience. Four and a half years ago I had a crisis in my life, in my walk with the Lord. What I needed after the event was pastoral shepherding. That care by a fellow elder or pastor to help me come to terms with the cause of my crisis, and help me deal with the consequences. It is my sad experience that it was not forthcoming. In two denominations and three churches I have never received a pastoral word. From a friend I received email counsel only becasue he was about 1000 miles away. But those nearer never approached me. Maybe they thought that the Lord would protect me and lead me to the green pastures and still waters once more. He did, he is after all the Good Shepherd, but Pauls exhortations to the elders and churches in the New Testament are to seek after the lost they are to be undershepherds. With this sad experience I wrestled as to whether I was looking for oversight that was not to be there and so when I saw this book by a respected pastor and scholar I read it.

I rejoiced. A firm basis for shepherding the flock of God was established from God's character and actions to Israel in the Old Testament and then the exhortations in the New. The biblical offices were explained and the importance of the elder and his role. Practical applications were suggested to care for the flock of God that they may grow, that those ailing may be healed and the lost brought back. Strangely, or perhaps not, it was whilst reading this book that I experienced pastoral care. From an elder in a presbyterian congregation 80 miles from my home. I am not a member there, I had never met this brother in Christ before this day. It was the first time I had visited the congregation. But in his love he talked with me when he heard about the events of my life. Just the talking with a godly brother helped. The Lord provided and brought to my eyes the outworking of what I was reading.

I know that all experiences whether good or bad are taken up into the providence of God. I have had intimate knowledge of the Lord's shepherding through my walk with him. However, I have also come to realise that biblical eldership and shepherding is of paramount importance for the health of Christ's Church. After all he ordained the office and its function for a reason, we are short sighted if we think we can manage without it.

Why should cross and trial grieve me?
Christ is near
With his cheer;
Never will he leave me.
Who can rob me of the heaven
That God's Son
For my own
To my faith hath given?

God oft gives me days of gladness;
Shall I grieve
If he give
Seasons, too, of sadness?
God is good and tempers ever
All my ill,
And he will
Wholly leave me never.

Death cannot destroy for ever;
From our fears,
Cares, and tears
It will us deliver.
It will close life's mournful story,
Make a way
That we may
Enter heav'nly glory.

Lord, my Shepherd, take me to thee.
Thou art mine;
I was thine,
Even ere I knew thee.
I am thine, for thou hast bought me;
Lost I stood,
But thy blood
Free salvation brought me.

Thou art mine; I love and own thee.
Light of Joy,
Ne'er shall I
From my heart dethrone thee.
Saviour, let me soon behold thee
Face to face,—
May thy grace
Evermore enfold me!

The titles of of the Lord Jesus lead to a radical life.

2010-12-22T20:34:00.004Z

I am always stunned, amazed, challenged and brought to worship when I read the folowing titles in the beginning of Revelation.
'the firstborn of the dead.' 1:1
'I am the first and the last,and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.'1:17,18
'the first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life,' 2:8

In no uncertain terms, The Lord Jesus declares that, yes he died, but now he is alive and never to die again. He has conquered death. He is the victor of that which holds sway over all mankind. Death keeps humanity in fear and bondage. It is the only certainty in life. We cannot escape it - we all must die. It is the judgement of God upon the sin of mankind. We all in Adam, our covenat head in the flesh, face death becasue we are corrupt.

However Jesus, the second Adam, also faced death not due to his corruption, for he was sinless, but died bearing our sins in his body. He was the sacrifice for our sins. He was always perfectly obedient, even in his commission to be our sin offering. Therefore, death could not keep him. It had no hold on him for the wages of sin is death and he had not sinned. So becasue he was obedient in life and death he came back to life. Proof of his innocence, proof that in bearing our sin he had payed the price for our freedom. Freedom not from death, but from the second death which is hell, the place of punishment for those who sins have not been payed for by Jesus' blood.

It is the frankness, bluntness of these titles that frees us to a radicle life of faith. In revelation the many titles of Jesus are given as an encouragment or challenge to the reader in the situation they are facing.
The ones I have listed are there to free us to witness in the face of persecution, and suffering which could quite easily lead to death. Hence the address to the church at Smyrna 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Jesus knew they were going to suffer. Be imprisoned for their faith in him, and face death. The title and description he gives of himself as one who has conquered death is to give them strength to endure even through death. Not to deny him but to gloriously confess him as Lord facing the prospect of losing their lives. It does not matter if we lose our life in witnessing. For we are united to him who has deafeated death, and who is life. He promises the crown of life, and that they will not be hurt by the second death. 2:10,11.

The resurrecction of Jesus frees us from denying Jesus so as to hold onto life. We have eternal life now, to die is just to carry on living but in a differnet state awaiting the resurrection of our bodies on the last day. It frees us from the fear of mankind that would silence us. It frees us to truly live.

How radical is that. We need not fear. 'Do not fear' 2:10. Live for Jesus with all your might. In union with him, nothing can seperate you from him and fellowship with the eternal Godhead for all eternity. Its like chains, that bind us to the earth that fall away and so we can fly. We are free. Does this reality not want you to be spent for Christ. To live for Christ.

Praise the Lord O my soul.

Jesus lives, and so shall I.
Death! thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die,
Lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me from the dust:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and reigns supreme,
And, his kingdom still remaining,
I shall also be with him,
Ever living, ever reigning.
God has promised: be it must:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and by his grace,
Vict'ry o'er my passions giving,
I will cleanse my heart and ways,
Ever to his glory living.
Me he raises from the dust.
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, I know full well
Nought from him my heart can sever,
Life nor death nor powers of hell,
Joy nor grief, hence forth forever.
None of all his saints is lost;
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.

Jesus lives, and death is now
But my entrance into glory.
Courage, then, my soul, for thou
Hast a crown of life before thee;
Thou shalt find thy hopes were just;
Jesus is the Christian's Trust.

Perseverance of the saints or God's preservation of the saints.

2010-09-16T16:52:00.005+01:00

For one who came to faith back in 1995, charged into the ministry (which we are warned should not be done 1 Tim 3:6-7), then stumbled and fell into grevious sin because of my imaturity, then subsequently resigned, then went off the way totally - thinking I was not a Christian, then being brought back by the Lord, this post brought tears to my eyes. This is taken from Kevin DeYoung's blog

Herman Bavinck:

Whatever apostasy occurs in Christianity, it may never prompt us to question the unchanging faithfulness of God, the certainty of his counsel, the enduring character of his covenant, or the trustworthiness of his promises. One should sooner abandon all creatures than fail to trust his word. And that word in its totality is one immensely rich promise to the heirs of the kingdom.

It is not just a handful of texts that teach the perseverance of the saints: the entire gospel sustains and confirms it. The Father has chosen them before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), ordained them to eternal life (Acts 13:48), to be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:29). This election stands (Rom. 9:11; Heb. 6:17) and in due time carries with it the calling and justification and glorification (Rom. 8:30).

Christ, in whom all the promises of God are Yes and Amen (2 Cor. 1:20), died for those who were given him by the Father (John 17:6, 12) in order that he might give them eternal life and not lose a single one of them (6:40; 17:2); he therefore gives them eternal life and they will never be lost in all eternity; no one will snatch them out of his hand (6:39; 10:28). The Holy Spirit who regenerates them remains eternally with them (14:16) and seals them for the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

The covenant of grace is firm and confirmed with an oath (Heb. 6:16-18; 13:20), unbreakable like a marriage (Eph. 5:31-32), like a testament (Heb. 9:17), and by virtue of that covenant, God calls his elect. He inscribes the law upon their inmost being, puts his fear in their heart (Heb. 8:10; 10:14ff.), will not let them be tempted beyond their strength (1 Cor. 10:13), confirms and completes the good work he has begun in them (1 Cor. 1:9; Phil 1:6), and keeps them for the return of Christ to receive the heavenly inheritance (1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Peter 1:4-5).

In his intercession before the Father, Christ acts in such a way that their faith may not fail (Luke 22:32), that in the world they may be kept from the evil one (John 17:11, 20), that they may be saved for all times (Heb. 7:20), he is to behold his glory (John 117:24). The benefits of Christ, which the Holy Spirit imparts to them, are all irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). Those who are called are also glorified (8:30). Those who are adopted as children are heirs of eternal life (8:17; Gal. 4:7). Those who believe have eternal life already here and now (John 3:16). That life itself, being eternal, cannot be lost. It cannot die since it cannot sin (1 John 3:9). Faith is a firm ground (Heb. 11:1), hope is an anchor (6:19) and does not disappoint us (Rom. 5:5), and love never ends (1 Cor. 13:8).

Excerpted from Reformed Dogmatics 4.269-70 (paragraph breaks are mine)

In my time of wandering I have experienced The Lord coming after this wayward sheep. I could never deny the truth of the gospel I just lived as a non-christian. The first line of this hymn kept ringing in my head when obstacles were placed in my wayward path and when I knew there would be no blessing when living in sin. How great is his love - he will lose non of those who have been given him. Blessed Saviour.

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

The Christ we worship?

2010-09-12T15:07:00.008+01:00

I recently heard a sermon on Revelation 1 and in his exposition the preacher drew out a point that upon reflection has a huge impact on the church. Looking at the verses that describe the revelation of the risen, ascended, glorifed Lord Jesus Christ that John saw, our minister made this point. That this vision of Chirst is so far different than the idea of the Lord Jesus we have in our mind. He said we have a small idea of Jesus. A Jesus that fits into our back pocket, that is very pally and is there only to be our help in times difficult.

I said in my heart 'exactly'. It has long been my thinking that the evangelical church is worshipping a Jesus of their own making, an idol. This is in direct controvention of the second commandment, but is hardly surprising when Calvin described us as 'Idol making factories'. The Church has become infected with worldly thinking - the push to an absence of authority, informality, and relaxed access to God in worship and life.
The evangelical church desires a Jesus that we find in the goepels (wait till I finsh and you will see my point.) A Jesus seen relaxing at the table and where the apostle John leans back and rests his head on Jesus' chest and everything is so relaxed, informal and unchallenging. There is however a fundamental flaw in this desire. This is a depicition of Jesus during is earthly ministry. Jesus has since that depicition been crucified, resurrected, ascended and glorified in heaven and is seated in glory at the right hand of the Majesty on high. We now live in the times when Jesus is seen as that described in Revelation chapter 1. We have John, the same John as read of in the gospel, turning around and falling down as if dead before this revelation of our glorious majestic Christ. This is his reaction to the same Jesus but the postion of Jesus has changed - he is now exalted. It is this Lord Jesus Christ who stands among the seven lampstands - the complete church of Christ, and walks amongst them and knows what is going on as we find in the letters to the seven churches.
Since this is the true revelation of Jesus Christ, ought not our worship reflect this revelation instead of the domesticated,Jesus-sitting-in-the-pew-with-me revelation or idol that so many have in our church together. Would not this revelation of Christ- the Christ of awesome glory, authoriy, and high priestly office change our thoughts on modern worship? In many respects this has been brought about by our desire to make our services accessible to non-believers. But what thoughts of Christ do they go away with when they experience our modern worship?

Jesus chose to reveal himself and this way and have it recorded by John for the Churches amd ultimately for the whole church. Knowing that this is the state of our blessed saviour, and Lord goes along way to acheving the purpose of the Book of Revelation. Namely to rebuke, encourage and strengthen the church in the last days so that all belivers may overcome and receive the crown of righteousness. If this is the case then one reason why the church is weak at the moment is that it is worshipping and has an idea of Jesus that is so small, impotent and weak that he is unable to inspire Christians in perseverance and self sacrifice.

May this hymn be sung in a manner that truly reflects the words, not with some frivolous little tune or accompaniment but one with power and glory!

AT YOUR FEET WE FALL, mighty risen Lord,
As we come before Your throne to worship You.
By Your Spirit's power You now draw our hearts,
And we hear Your voice in triumph ringing clear.

I am He that liveth, that liveth and was dead,
Behold I am alive forever more.

There we see You stand, mighty risen Lord,
Clothed in garments pure and holy, shining bright.
Eyes of flashing fire, feet like burnished bronze,
And the sound of many waters is Your voice.

Like the shining sun in its noonday strength,
We now see the glory of Your wondrous face.
Once that face was marred, but now You're glorified,
And Your words like a two-edged sword have mighty power.

Strength in my weakness

2010-06-08T14:08:00.003+01:00

Reading DeYoung's blog here I was challenged with my constantly throwing my hands in the air and saying 'I can't converse like that, I am just too much of an introvert.' How I want to love others with conversation and yet I halt at my weakness and continue as before - saying little and knowing little about others becasue I don't ask.
The challenge is to seek grace and power in my weakness and obey, seeking to love no matter how difficult or uncomfortable I find it.
His grace is sufficient to change and enable me - Bless the Lord oh my soul.

I hear the Saviour say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,
All to him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power, and thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots,
And melt the heart of stone.

For nothing good have I
Whereby thy grace to claim—
I will wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's lamb.

And when, before the throne,
I stand in him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus is enough

2010-02-15T21:15:00.001Z

Jesus, priceless treasure,
Fount of purest pleasure,
Truest friend to me:
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for thee?
Thine I am, O spotless Lamb!
I will suffer naught to hide thee,
Naught I ask beside thee.

In thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Ev'ry heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash and thunders crash;
Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.

Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.
God's great pow'r guards ev'ry hour;
Earth and all its depths adore him,
Silent bow before him.

Hence with earthly treasure!
Thou art all my pleasure,
Jesus, all my choice.
Hence, thou empty glory!
Naught to me thy story,
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss or shame or cross
Shall not from my Saviour move me,
Since he deigns to love me.

Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within.
Yea, whate'er I here must bear,
Thou art still my purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure.

Earthquakes and the Solid Rock

2010-01-17T14:42:00.005Z

Seeing the devastation and suffering in Haiti brought me to tears this morning. From the news pictures I could see there were people wandering around in shock at what has happened. Reporters are calling it 'apocolyptic', there is total infrastructure colapse, the government cannot govern - they have nowhere to gather, the suffering cannot obtain medical help - the hospitals have been destroyed.
I know the questions that people at work are asking - 'Where is God in all this pain, anguish and hopelessness'.However as I thought upon that I was reminded of psalm 46.

This is the new metrical version found in 'Sing Psalms' produced by the Free Church of Scotland.

God is our strength and refuge sure;
An ever present help is he
When troubled days we must endure.
Therefore from fear our hearts are free,
Though earthquakes move the world
And hills 'midst seas be hurled,
Though waters of the deep
In turmoil roar and leap-
Though breakers shake the mountains steep.

A river flows whose waters clear
Make glad the city of our God-
The consecrated city where
The LORD Most High has his abode.
God dwells within her wall,
And so she will not fall;
No trouble can her move
For God her help will prove
When morning light dawns from above.

The kingdoms shake, the nations fret;
He lifts his voice, earth melts away.
The LORD of hosts is with us yet;
The God of Jacob is our stay.
Come then, let all draw near
And view with holy fear
The works, surpassing thought,
The LORD alone has wrought.
What ruin he on earth has brought!

To earth's remotest bounds he turns
Wars into peace; he snaps the spear;
He breaks the bow; the shield he burns.
Know I am God; be still and fear.
Among the nations I
will be exalted high;
On earth I will hold sway.
"The LORD's with us," we say.
The God of Jacob is our stay.

There is no other security in this world apart from trust in God. We may, like the Haitians, lose what we call the framework of life. Yet if we are trusting in God, the Lord Jesus, we are set free from fear and hopeless despair. If we were to face a natural disaster on this scale we need not fear the losing of my life, for my life is in Christ and I shall live on.
It is in times like these that we seek to minister to the needs of the suffering, homeless, bereaved, and dying but always in the outpuring of our mercy we must take the gospel outlined in the psalm above. To dwell in Christ means, as part of his church, we will not fall though we may die. These are the times we recognise our powerlessnes and should be brought to our knees and exalt the name of God and glorify his name. It is my prayer that in the midst of this anguish and national collapse and as the world witnesses this anguish and national collapse some yet may turn and cast their trust in Christ and then know the peace of everlasting security through his death and resurrection for them. May they not be hardened as we sadly read in scripture happens to most.

Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

May God be thanked and glorified for each day of mercy he extends to this world in the hope that folk will look to Jesus and be saved.

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

2010-01-02T14:29:00.004Z

The blog picture above shows what we are experiencing at the moment in the UK. I know we are not the only country to be getting 'snow on snow' having seen the snow storms in Eastern USA, and Europe on the web.
The first stanza of the Christmas Carol is a very apt description

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Today was particularly challenging. There were two places I did not attempt a letter delivery becasue the risk of getting stuck was to high. However in Great Corby I decided to abandon the van and deliver on foot.
What a joy it was walking through the village seeing the snow laden trees and bushes, the twinkling of the snow crystals in the light, it was all very picturesque - two people had cameras and were busy taking snaps before the spotless white blanket was stained by grit, tyre tracks or footprints. I was able to see the snow prints of little birds, rabbits and even some deer prints.
Later on there were a few children out on their sledges. Mums and Dads having to pull their rosey cheeked bundles of joy up a hill to then push them down.

At home the bird food supplies are dwindling fast. I spent a small fortune in the market last week on peanuts and fat balls to keep my two legged feathered friends satisfied in this cold spell. It is so pleasing to see Robins, Blue and Great tits, Chaffinches, Blackbirds and Sparrows having their daily fill. And to consider the Lord God made them all.

And that is what has prompted this post - thankfulness. Thanks for all that I saw, heard, touched and experienced. Thanks for answered prayers in the Lord watching over my going out and coming in (I have slipped but not fallen). Thanks that I through grace can offer thanks.

With songs and honors sounding loud
Address the Lord on high;
Over the heav'ns he spreads his cloud,
And waters veil the sky.

He sends his show'rs of blessing down
To cheer the plains below;
He makes the grass the mountains crown,
And corn in valleys grow.

His steady counsels change the face
Of the declining year;
He bids the sun cut short his race,
And wintry days appear.

His hoary frost, his fleecy snow,
Descend and clothe the ground;
The liquid streams forbear to flow,
In icy fetters bound.

He sends his word, and melts the snow;
The fields no longer mourn;
He calls the warmer gales to blow,
And bids the spring return.

The changing wind, the flying cloud,
Obey his mighty word;
With songs and honors sounding loud
Praise ye the sovereign Lord.

God's hidden hand!

2010-01-01T18:28:00.005Z

Last week I heard a very good sermon from Esther. The books secular context was well described - no mention of God, no spirtuality, no worship - similar to what you might read in today's newspaper or see on TV. However, in chapter six there is a remarkable turn of events due to what might be called - insignificant events. What happens ultimately saves the Jewish exiles from experiencing genocide.
The message - our God is sovereign over all events and is bringing about his purposes for those who look to him as their saviour and Lord. Whatever happens to you and me in this new year is not out of the control of God but is part of his fatherly care of his people. I came away encouraged and trusting that the Lord knows the number of hairs on my head (a little less than others perhaps) but he is working all things together for good.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain.
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

May you know God richest blessing this year of 2010 as you trust in him. And if you don't know him - he is waiting for you to turn to him and experience his grace in your life.

Christ the Apple Tree

2009-10-24T18:45:00.003+01:00

Song Of Songs 2:3 "Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 "He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. 5 "Sustain me with raisin cakes, Refresh me with apples, Because I am lovesick. 6 "Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me."

To see this song as Christ the beloved and the Shulamite the Church or a member of the church is, to may people, going too far and is a spiritualising of the text. I am not convinced and after hearing Rev Dr Iain D. Campbell give a talk on the covenantal interpretaion of this song I was given a solid biblical foundation for the above understanding of the passage. Yes, it is a love song, a very intimate one. However there are greater purposes to scripture in always pointing towards Christ our covenant King, such as the Book of Ruth also intimates.

Enjoy this poem which I heard recently and which lifted my failing spirit.

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
1

The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.
2

His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne’er can tell,
His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.
3

For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.
4

I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest a while:
I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest a while:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.
5

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive:
This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive:
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

I then went and found this version as a song, often sung as a Christmas Carol.

Warning: There are two images of Christ. If you think this is a breaking of the second commandment please do not watch.

Listen and enjoy.

When music becomes an idol.

2009-10-20T16:10:00.002+01:00

This news article highlights a subtle deception that can occur in the hearts of those who worship. The woman interviewed in the church says that numbers have dropped from 100-150 to about 15 plus children, becasue they have had to quieten the music. She says, 'the music is not lifting them up.'

This is the deception - the music is lifting them up, the power they need is in the music and its style, whereas Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that the power of God is found in the gospel and its proclamation. They thought they were being strengthend by Christ when it was the music.

2009-08-27T14:59:00.009+01:00

Jerusalem the Golden by Bernard of Cluny 1146, Sung to Ewing

Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest,
Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed.
I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there,
What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.

They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song,
And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng;
The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene.
The pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen.

There is the throne of David, and there, from care released,
The shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast;
And they, who with their Leader, have conquered in the fight,
Forever and forever are clad in robes of white.

O sweet and blessèd country, the home of God’s elect!
O sweet and blessèd country, that eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest,
Who art, with God the Father, and Spirit, ever blessed.

Brief life is here our portion, brief sorrow, short lived care;
The life that knows no ending, the tearless life, is there.
O happy retribution! Short toil, eternal rest;
For mortals and for sinners, a mansion with the blest.

That we should look, poor wanderers, to have our home on high!
That worms should seek for dwellings beyond the starry sky!
And now we fight the battle, but then shall wear the crown
Of full and everlasting, and passionless renown.

And how we watch and struggle, and now we live in hope,
And Zion in her anguish with Babylon must cope;
But he whom now we trust in shall then be seen and known,
And they that know and see Him shall have Him for their own.

For thee, O dear, dear country, mine eyes their vigils keep;
For very love, beholding, thy happy name, they weep:
The mention of thy glory is unction to the breast,
And medicine in sickness, and love, and life, and rest.

O one, O only mansion! O paradise of joy!
Where tears are ever banished, and smiles have no alloy;
The cross is all thy splendor, the Crucified thy praise,
His laud and benediction thy ransomed people raise.

Jerusalem the glorious! Glory of the elect!
O dear and future vision that eager hearts expect!
Even now by faith I see thee, even here thy walls discern;
To thee my thoughts are kindled, and strive, and pant, and yearn.

Jerusalem, the only, that look’st from heaven below,
In thee is all my glory, in me is all my woe!
And though my body may not, my spirit seeks thee fain,
Till flesh and earth return me to earth and flesh again.

Jerusalem, exulting on that securest shore,
I hope thee, wish thee, sing thee, and love thee evermore!
I ask not for my merit: I seek not to deny
My merit is destruction, a child of wrath am I.

But yet with faith I venture and hope upon the way,
For those perennial guerdons I labor night and day.
The best and dearest Father Who made me, and Who saved,
Bore with me in defilement, and from defilement laved.

When in His strength I struggle, for very joy I leap;
When in my sin I totter, I weep, or try to weep:
And grace, sweet grace celestial, shall all its love display,
And David’s royal fountain purge every stain away.

O sweet and blessèd country, shall I ever see thy face?
O sweet and blessèd country, shall I ever win thy grace?
I have the hope within me to comfort and to bless!
Shall I ever win the prize itself? O tell me, tell me, Yes!

Strive, man, to win that glory; toil, man, to gain that light;
Send hope before to grasp it, till hope be lost in sight.
Exult, O dust and ashes, the Lord shall be thy part:
His only, His forever thou shalt be, and thou art.

Free from sin and all corruption that we may at last glorify and love him as we should.

Unless the Lord builds..........

2009-08-26T19:55:00.005+01:00

It has long been my thinking that unless the people of God hear and are enthralled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of Jesus himself each week then the very fuel that enables them to live for him and serve him in the kingdom is lacking. In DeYoung's post he touches on this busyness for God. His last sentence picks up on my thoughts.

"They need to hear the old, old story once more. Because the secret of the
gospel is that we actually do more when we hear less about all we need to do for
God and hear more about all that God has already done for us."

I have often noticed this in my own walk with the Lord. When I hear of what Christ has done for me, the riches of his grace, then I enter a period of self-forgetfulness, and total abandonement to the God who created and redeemed me. It is a case of 'Here am I, send me.'We need to heed the passage of Mary and Martha and choose the good part.

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the
LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you
to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He
gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Psalm 127:1-2

What is our measure for .......?

2009-07-29T09:18:00.005+01:00

When putting up wallpaper you need to make sure that the first hanging is vertical. It is not advisable to use the corner of your room as this, in most cases, is not absoulutely vertical. What do you do? You snap or hang a plumbline. This gives a measure for the vertical with which you can succesfully hang your first piece of wallpaper. Notice, you need something that is constant and does not change and can be used anywhere at anytime. The plumbline hangs vertically due to the gravitational pull of the earth in whatever country you are based. So we can always hang wallpaper and even erect a building. Some of the great Cathedrals with spires still have the mark where the plumbline was centred.

Just as we need some external measure to asisst us to find the vertical so also we need a measure in our society to determine what is right and wrong. It cannot be left to individuals because we all have a different understanding of what is right and wrong. That understanding varies between age, demographic group and country. This dilemma was higlighted to me in this news article BBC News . How do we measure what is dishonest? You can see from the clip that people have different ideas of what is dishonest behaviour. Moreover, when this is in the context of a court of law where people could be condmened to prison on the jury's subjective opinion of dishonesty, it becomes vitally important we have a true measure, that is universal, and span's time.

Why have we reached this dilemma in our society and legal system? I suggest that it is becasue mankind has over the past years been steadily erasing from its general consciousness the knowledge of God and particualrly the knowledge of his revealed will for all mankind as contained in the Ten Commandments.
These Ten Commandments used to be taught in our schools and generally their influence affected the society as a whole, whether it be the family, the playground, the workplace or our Parliament. People may not have believed in Jesus, as their Saviour, but still the Ten Commanments acted as a rule which governed beaviour in society. Preventing people from doing certain things becasue it was deemed as wrong but also condemning everyone for their inability to keep them.
This is why we cannot now decide what is dishonest behaviour, we have lost our rule or measure our plumbline. We don't know whether someones actions are right or worng and we have nothing to compare them to.

It is not an honesty website we need where people can give their opinion as to what is right or wrong. That would need to be changed every generation and will ultimately lead to a worsening of the situation. For without God to lift our eyes to true right behaviour, we will descend ever further into a moral blackhole. No, what we need is a return to the teaching of the Ten Commanments as the rule for all mankind created in God's image, yet unable to live up to the glory of that image becasue of inherent wickedness. The Ten Commandments act as curb on the inevitable decline in society becasue we all chose disobedience rather than obedience. But also to show us that in truth our hearts are evil, as Jesus told his disciples, and that through turning to him in faith as the only saviour for mankind we can be given a new heart, a spiritual life, leading to joyful obedience of those self same commandments and live the life of love to God and all around us.

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy."

2009-07-25T16:30:00.007+01:00

John Piper in his book 'What Jesus Demands from the World' looks at Jesus' command to Rejoice and leap for joy. The full verse in its context is as follows.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man."Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. Luke 6:22-24

John Piper writes and I quote

"When Jesus demands that we rejoice, he has not forgotten the kind of world we live in. If is filled with suffering... Therefore the joy he demands now is not chipper. It is not joy-lite. It is not superficial or marked with levity. This is the mistake of too many people and too many churches. They think that Jesus' demandf for joy is a demand to tell jokes or weave slapstick into Christian corporate life. I don't smell the Jerusalem-bound Jesus in that atmosphere. Something has gone wrong."

Suffering is missing that is what has gone wrong. How I rejoiced when I read this. I thought I was all alone in my disatisfaction with the humour that is found in some services these days. Was I joyless I thought? However this article has satisfied me that I am not. My chiefest joy is God and it is his son who brings me joy. I do not need such wordly methods to win the 'audience' and it frustrates me when folk leading at the front think that we need such entertaining to make our time of worship before God Almighty acceptable. Roll on the day when we bow before the throne in awe and cry aloud, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?"

2009-07-21T16:55:00.002+01:00

These words form Luke 6:46 came up as our reading for a sermon on this and the following verses - you know the ones - building houses on rock and sand. However it was these verses that challenged me.

We call Jesus Lord of our lives, the one who has saved us and is changing us from one degree of glory to another through his presence, God's presence in us the Holy Spirit. And yet if we do not do what he says we show scant regard for his position as King of the kingdom and we his loyal subjects. The words cut right across our own wills and confront us with the stark reality of our Saviour's authority. He calls us to follow, and do what he says. We need have no fear but yet there is that defiance. That Romans 7 - I want to obey but yet sin dwells in me. Oh who will redeem me from this body of sin - thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. Lord grant that I may put to death that sin which causes my disobedience and walk in the power of your spirit.