Read Luke 19:1-10
Everybody remembers the story of Zacchaeus. We've heard it since we were kids in Sunday School. He was not liked as a tax collector and was seen as a sinner by the Pharisee's. But remember he was filled with joy when Jesus came to his house and there was probably the biggest character change that I have ever heard of. He went from stealing, dishonesty, and being hated to giving and loving others. See the change that Jesus had on his life.
Zacchaeus was seeking. He actively wanted to find the Lord and was up that tree. People are always looking for something to fill an empty void in their life. Something, anything that will satisfy the need that they have, Maybe drugs, sex etc fills that for a while, but it leaves an even bigger emptiness soon after. Only the Lord can fill that void.
The Lord revealed Himself. Remember that Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus's house, not the other way round. Jesus is seeking those to be saved. What about us? Are we going after those who seem unapproachable? Atheists? Even our friends?
The Lord then went to Zacchaeus's house and dealt with him on a personal level. He didn't just say something in passing our in the street. He went to his house and revealed more of Himself there.
Zacchaeus then responded. After he met his Saviour, his material possessions meant nothing to him. Remember what we said earlier; Jesus fills the void. The Lord's person attracts the heart. So what is YOUR response?
Saturday, 3 June 2017
Saturday, 27 May 2017
Encouragement- Prayer
Today, we had a conference in the UK and in one session, we had a creche for the children. We talked about the importance of prayer, and I think that that is something to be looked at by everybody of all ages.
Prayer is our communication with God and there is no set time that you have to pray. You can pray when you're happy, afraid, nervous, or anything. You can pray at any time; on the bus, while you're walking, anywhere. We can be so thankful that we have a God that will always listen to our prayers and will answer in the time of need.
'Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you' 1 Peter 5:7
Prayer is our communication with God and there is no set time that you have to pray. You can pray when you're happy, afraid, nervous, or anything. You can pray at any time; on the bus, while you're walking, anywhere. We can be so thankful that we have a God that will always listen to our prayers and will answer in the time of need.
'Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you' 1 Peter 5:7
Sunday, 21 May 2017
The Life of Abraham
Read Genesis 12:1-6
In the life of Abraham, we see some good points and some bad points. Practically speaking, how do we walk? We are all objects of the love of God and He wants us to live accordingly.
god told Abram to 'g out' of his country. For us, we need to get out of this political, social scene. For example, in the UK we have a General Election coming up. But it's a waste of time to vote, because there's no way we can put the world right. There will always be the same problems. God wants us to get out from any system that is contrary to Him.
Do you remember Lot? He went with Abram, and this occurs a lot in our lives. Do we just go to the meeting/church out of habit? Or do you have a desire to come? Think about this.
In the life of Abraham, we see some good points and some bad points. Practically speaking, how do we walk? We are all objects of the love of God and He wants us to live accordingly.
god told Abram to 'g out' of his country. For us, we need to get out of this political, social scene. For example, in the UK we have a General Election coming up. But it's a waste of time to vote, because there's no way we can put the world right. There will always be the same problems. God wants us to get out from any system that is contrary to Him.
Do you remember Lot? He went with Abram, and this occurs a lot in our lives. Do we just go to the meeting/church out of habit? Or do you have a desire to come? Think about this.
Sunday, 14 May 2017
Priestly Service
Read Hebrews 10:19, 23-25, ch 13:15 and 1 Peter 2:5
The Lord Jesus is our High Priest so we are free to draw near to God. We are allowed to enter His presence and serve Him as priests. We can offer Him praise from our lips.
In the Old Testament, we read about priests and their priestly service. What can we learn from them in application to our life today? The equipment of the Tabernacle links to us, for example.
In Exodus 30:17-20, we read about the laver of copper. There was a requirement to wash before service in the Tabernacle or sacrifice. The thing that we can also notice here is that there are no dimensions given so spiritually, we have no limitations. We are cleansed by the Word and we can come to Him as often as we need. He will always cleanse and forgive us. Before serving, we must be cleansed. The feet (for our pathway) and our hands (our service).
The Lord Jesus is our High Priest so we are free to draw near to God. We are allowed to enter His presence and serve Him as priests. We can offer Him praise from our lips.
In the Old Testament, we read about priests and their priestly service. What can we learn from them in application to our life today? The equipment of the Tabernacle links to us, for example.
In Exodus 30:17-20, we read about the laver of copper. There was a requirement to wash before service in the Tabernacle or sacrifice. The thing that we can also notice here is that there are no dimensions given so spiritually, we have no limitations. We are cleansed by the Word and we can come to Him as often as we need. He will always cleanse and forgive us. Before serving, we must be cleansed. The feet (for our pathway) and our hands (our service).
Sunday, 7 May 2017
Psalm 119:25-32
Read Psalm 119:25-32
In our last look at Psalm 119, we are going to look at verses to do with when we are struggling.
v25: the psalmist is realistic because we may not always be rejoicing. Sometimes you need revival and you can find this in the Word. In situations of burden, return to the Scriptures and it will bring us back to life again.
v26: we declare our way to the Lord, not to the world. It's not important to tell the world what we have done, but what the Lord has done.
v27: again, we can share what we have learnt.
v29: lying is a problem that is really active today, and we should have nothing to do with it because the Word is the truth.
v30: we need to choose the way of truth and choose the way of faithfulness. We are not on this path by chance.
v31: hold fast to these things. Don't let them go!
v32: to enlarge our hearts is to give them freedom. People are always looking for freedom and we can find it in the Word of God.
So, as a final note, study the Word of God. If we do, we will have help for the path here. Look for Him and you will find the answers!
Saviour lead us by Thy power
Safe into the promised rest;
Choose the path, the way whatever,
Seems to Thee, O Lord, the best;
Be our guide in every peril,
Watch and keep us night and day,
Else our foolish hearts will wander
From the strait and narrow way.
Since in Thee is our redemption
And salvation full and free,
Nothing need our souls dishearten
But forgetfulness of Thee;
Nought can stay our steady progress,
More than conquerors we shall be,
If our eye, whate'er the danger,
Looks to Thee, and none but Thee.
In Thy presence we are happy,
In Thy presence we're secure;
In Thy presence all afflictions
We can easily endure;
In Thy presence we can conquer,
We can suffer, we can die;
Wandering from Thee, we are feeble;
Let Thy love, Lord, keep us nigh.
In our last look at Psalm 119, we are going to look at verses to do with when we are struggling.
v25: the psalmist is realistic because we may not always be rejoicing. Sometimes you need revival and you can find this in the Word. In situations of burden, return to the Scriptures and it will bring us back to life again.
v26: we declare our way to the Lord, not to the world. It's not important to tell the world what we have done, but what the Lord has done.
v27: again, we can share what we have learnt.
v29: lying is a problem that is really active today, and we should have nothing to do with it because the Word is the truth.
v30: we need to choose the way of truth and choose the way of faithfulness. We are not on this path by chance.
v31: hold fast to these things. Don't let them go!
v32: to enlarge our hearts is to give them freedom. People are always looking for freedom and we can find it in the Word of God.
So, as a final note, study the Word of God. If we do, we will have help for the path here. Look for Him and you will find the answers!
Saviour lead us by Thy power
Safe into the promised rest;
Choose the path, the way whatever,
Seems to Thee, O Lord, the best;
Be our guide in every peril,
Watch and keep us night and day,
Else our foolish hearts will wander
From the strait and narrow way.
Since in Thee is our redemption
And salvation full and free,
Nothing need our souls dishearten
But forgetfulness of Thee;
Nought can stay our steady progress,
More than conquerors we shall be,
If our eye, whate'er the danger,
Looks to Thee, and none but Thee.
In Thy presence we are happy,
In Thy presence we're secure;
In Thy presence all afflictions
We can easily endure;
In Thy presence we can conquer,
We can suffer, we can die;
Wandering from Thee, we are feeble;
Let Thy love, Lord, keep us nigh.
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Psalm 119:17-24
Read Psalm 119:17-24
v17- our relationship to the Lord is that of a servant, so we should obey and do His will and so, serve Him faithfully.
v18-sometimes, you might not understand what you read in your Bible, but before you start reading, ask for help from the Lord. As we've said before, it's not an intellectual matter, because God opens our understanding. We have the Spirit to guide us and open our eyes. He will let us see.
v19- to the world, we are strangers. Do you feel at home here? The more that we study the Bible, the more we see that we are strangers here. 'If the world sees that you need something that they have to be happy, you loose your power to be a witness' J.N. Darby. Nevertheless, in v63, we read 'I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.' We have something in common with other Christians, so happily, we can have fellowship with them because they have the same standards as us.
v23- would it seem strange to call this a 'special situation'? If the great of this world persecute us, it is a special situation. The same happened to the Lord, and yes, the same happens to us. What should we do when it does happen? Turn to the Scriptures. God speaks to us with authority and has the power to dispel all our fears. This should make us want to follow His Word.
v17- our relationship to the Lord is that of a servant, so we should obey and do His will and so, serve Him faithfully.
v18-sometimes, you might not understand what you read in your Bible, but before you start reading, ask for help from the Lord. As we've said before, it's not an intellectual matter, because God opens our understanding. We have the Spirit to guide us and open our eyes. He will let us see.
v19- to the world, we are strangers. Do you feel at home here? The more that we study the Bible, the more we see that we are strangers here. 'If the world sees that you need something that they have to be happy, you loose your power to be a witness' J.N. Darby. Nevertheless, in v63, we read 'I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.' We have something in common with other Christians, so happily, we can have fellowship with them because they have the same standards as us.
v23- would it seem strange to call this a 'special situation'? If the great of this world persecute us, it is a special situation. The same happened to the Lord, and yes, the same happens to us. What should we do when it does happen? Turn to the Scriptures. God speaks to us with authority and has the power to dispel all our fears. This should make us want to follow His Word.
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Psalm 119:9-16
Read Psalm 119:9-16.
Continuing from last week, let's see what else God wants us to know from this Psalm.
v9: A way, a path, it's all the same thing. This verse is talking about a clean path, but if we go to places that we shouldn't, how can we expect this? How can we stay clean in our surroundings? Of course, our surroundings are filthy, sinful, and worldly. Comes from being in the world. But if we continue in the love of God and find out from reading the Bible and praying what God has for our pathway, He will keep us on the right pathway.
v10-11: The Bible is not head knowledge, it's heart knowledge. The heart is the place of affections and the reason to keep the knowledge there is not to sin. Memorize Scripture, if we do, it is in our heart. You know the English phrase; to learn something "off by heart". If we do this, it will guide our way. There are people who do not have Bibles or are in prison for their faith and they have learnt the Scripture and have kept it in their heart. This has blessed them and given them strength.
v12:We can never know everything from in the Bible, but we should always want to learn more and more. The Lord will teach it to us.
Continuing from last week, let's see what else God wants us to know from this Psalm.
v9: A way, a path, it's all the same thing. This verse is talking about a clean path, but if we go to places that we shouldn't, how can we expect this? How can we stay clean in our surroundings? Of course, our surroundings are filthy, sinful, and worldly. Comes from being in the world. But if we continue in the love of God and find out from reading the Bible and praying what God has for our pathway, He will keep us on the right pathway.
v10-11: The Bible is not head knowledge, it's heart knowledge. The heart is the place of affections and the reason to keep the knowledge there is not to sin. Memorize Scripture, if we do, it is in our heart. You know the English phrase; to learn something "off by heart". If we do this, it will guide our way. There are people who do not have Bibles or are in prison for their faith and they have learnt the Scripture and have kept it in their heart. This has blessed them and given them strength.
v12:We can never know everything from in the Bible, but we should always want to learn more and more. The Lord will teach it to us.
v13: 'with my lips'. So the Word isn't just staying in our heart. We declare it to others. If the Lord shows us something, we should share it. I know people who have shared a verse or something over text, and this really encouraged me. Preferably, it could be shared face to face, but of course, this is not always possible. In Psalm 40:8-10, we read: 'I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly. Indeed, I do not restrain my lips. O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart. I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not concealed Your loving kindness and Your truth from the great assembly.' The Word was first in the heart and then it was declared to others. So, it must be precious to you first before you declare it to others.
v14: To delight in the Word of God is something of great value. We are so rich that we have the Word of God in our hands. 'I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.' Psalm 119:162.
v15: I used to have a quiet time where I used to open my Bible on a random page and read a few verses here and there. Do you think that it was really profitable to me? To get rich from the Word of God, you need to really meditate on it so that it governs the whole of your life. Read Psalm 1; it gives more perspective on this.
v16: How quickly do we forget things? I know I do, I have the memory of a goldfish! But if we read something that we truly delight in, we will remember. It's a bit like school, a lot of the teachers could be quite boring and we'd forget what they had taught us by the next day. But most of us had one teacher who was so fun and interesting and knew how to make us listen. And we remembered what that teacher had taught us, and maybe you still remember today. But it's a two way thing, you need to have an open mind and be interested. The Word of God is interesting and something we should want to read. So if we delight in it, we will remember it.
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