Thirty days of Grace

53:181118

Thirty days of Grace

   Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. And those men said to him, “We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?” And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.” Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord’s Passover. On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the Lord at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. ‘And if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the Lord’s Passover, he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land..”  Numb 9: 6~14

   In the scriptures there is Grace heaped upon Grace, wow just imagine that if you will for moment. What I’m talking about is of cause is the ‘Passover’. From this there is a question raised?...

Q  “ If a man was in a condition to observe that feast on the appointed day, was he to be debarred for a whole year? Some men found in this position were heard saying..’wherefore are we kept back” (V7)

   So, let’s look at FEAR, from 5 different points.

1) Unfitness. . . . . 2) Confession . . . . . 3) Provision . . . . .

4) Warning . . . . . 5)Invitation

   This was now a totally new difficulty, and Moses deal with it, just as in today, how we should deal with it all when it springs up before us. So without any hesitation Moses went out, and called upon our Lord God for direction.

   If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all, literally. The answer was plainly given, there has to be a special ‘Passover feast’, to be held on the fourteenth (14^th) day of the second day of the month. Though this has to be a special case, even all the provisions have been met. What would have to be made known, is that His Grace won’t always mean that these Riches’ are not of money, per-say.

1 Unfitness

“..Certain men were defiled that they could not keep

the ‘Passover’ on that day..”  (V6)

   The cause of their Unfitness to profit by the provision made by God on the fourteenth day of the first month was their uncleanness. There’ll be a number of you who will cry out, and profess they are without blemish. Here’s why we all have al sinned and so fallen short.  It’s what we do next on realization of committing sin. Due to this sin, we’re no longer in a place to receive God’s riches.

 “..If a person touches any unclean thing, whether 

it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean livestock … ‘Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it—when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.." Leviticus 5: 2

   Being already sinners, not them, but only help to show their sinfulness. By the law knowledge of sin, unbelief unfits a man from receiving the benefits of Christ Jesus redeeming death. The defilement has been their own doing/making.  

2 Confession

“..And those men said to him, “We became defiled..” (V7)

   Passover was one of (if not the..) the most important dates on a Jewish Calendar, and today it is still as important. It was and is time they confessed Unfitness, and sought not to justify themselves. So, they presented themselves as ones disqualified because of their defilement, and begged for mercy & grace that these might reach and satisfy their souls.

   So many them can only try and imagine what it must be & feel like to be stoned by you community, even close friends as well as Family! Some would welcome being stoned because then they can try to heal at last the broken bones, with bruises fading over time.

#Confession will finally open the door#

   The grace of God, like a river that flows down into every crevice, or like the light of the Sun, will illuminate every corner, no matter how dark and dirty the corner may be, if only there was an opening toward it? 

#If only there was a man who open the door,

I will come into him#

(1 John 1:9)

“..if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us..” 
(1 John 1:9)

3 Provision

"..Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord’s Passover. On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.." (v9~11)

      I know what you’re thinking, boxes of chocolate, sexy clothes for your loved one. Cards professing our everlasting love, and so much more. Gentiles have taken this date ’14 February’, then told on this date told to spend a month’s wages. Just to tell and be told how much it is to be loved on this date.

#When truthfully it is Passover time and 

NOT valentines!# 

   Between the first and the second Passover there are thirty days, these are days of Grace. If you somehow were to manage to miss both, there was no possibility of receiving a Passover blessing for the coming year. That has to be unbearable? This little blessing was instituted for the benefit of those who were disabled, is a beautiful little picture of the grace of God devising a plan of salvation for the helpless sinful man.

   Moses was only able to say in V8 “..Stand still and hear what the Lord will command concerning you..”

#Salvation is of the Lord#

   The law was given unto Moses, but grace and truth come by Jesus Christ. It’s suggestive that this special grace for the defiled, or the man that was ‘a far off’ on an journey, and so could not keep the feast of Passover.

“..that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from

the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the

covenants of promise, having no hope and without God

in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were

far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ..”

Eph 2 : 13/13

  4 Warning

“..the man who is clean and is not on a journey,

and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be

cut off from among his people..” V13

   The Passover speaks of redemption. To those who willingly neglect this there is nothing for them but a fearful attitude towards ‘the Judgement day’.  There is no escaping this time when, all will be stripped bear, and all their life’s actions will be read out. Back then there was another action that was thought to be such a slight, that it would hold back all men that ‘not’ circumcised.

“..And the uncircumcised male child, who is not

circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut

off from his people; he has broken My covenant..” Gen 17: 14

 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Heb 10: 26/31

  Surely to despise or even to neglect Grace, is to choose death?  Hoe can it have been seen that they would have escaped if they neglected even salvation?

5 Invitation

“.. If a stranger will keep the Passover so..” (V14)

   By invitation a total stranger (Gentile), may come with them and may be a participant of the blessing of this memorable feast. This action denotes of redemption by the blood of the Lamb is offered to all who will come into the camp.

“..Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood,

which is shed for you..”  Luke 22: 20

   How wonderfully fitting this is a typical of the great salvation, through the blood of the lamb of God. Through the sacrifice of our Lord, being covered by the blood has such power it should be one or the greatest gifts given unto us. But yet even today it still remains one of the most undervalued.

       “..And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.."   Rev 22: 17

  ^“.. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and 
to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members 
of the household of God..”

Eph 2: 17/19

Prayer

  In your love let all who are laden with burdens and worries, come freely and find shelter and rest. Let us ofer up our praises to the one true God in Heaven. No matter you concerns for today God has the answer. In our Lord Jesus' Name, Amen.

7 Points for Mose

7 Points for Moses

Exodus 3 v10/11   "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

# 1  A Gods given dream establishes Identity. Moses asked God . . "Who Am I?" . . At this time he was seeking identity. God wanted Moses to become established in his in-identity in Him. Your identity in God is vital to fulfilling your dream. It lets you know that god is the author of your dream and NOT you.

# 2  A God given dream establishes Authority. In Exodus 3 v13/14 "Then Moses said to God, Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you" . . All the Authority that you need to fulfill your dreams are in God - the 'I AM' is the one who backs you all the way"

#3  A God given dream establishes Credibility. In Exodus 4 v1-5 " . . Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you. So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
   When you have a God given dream and you know your divine destiny. Some people will say what right do you have to doing what you are doing? They may be skeptical of the fact you are endeavoring to accomplish something well beyond your natural means. They may even criticize for you surpassing their expectations for you. However, when you have a dream, whether you have the praise of man or not, you know you have the credibility with God. Because He is the one who gave the dream in the first place.

#4 A God given dream establishes Ability. . Moses had a habit of talking about his inability. But, when God gave him a dream, it established in him ability. When you have a God given dream, then like Moses, you will have God's divine ability to get the job done.

#5  A God given dream establishes Courage. Exodus 4 v18 " . . So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive. And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace . .”
   After a long discussion in which he was extremely honest with God, he finally accepted the dream that God gave him. There for verse 18 tells us, and Moses went... The dream established within Moses the courage to do what God had told him to do. This kind of courage enables us to go after what God says is ours.

#6  A God given dream establishes Boldness. Here is Moses first confrontation with Pharaoh; Afterwards Moses & Aaron went in and told Pharaoh . . (Exodus 5 v1-2)   "Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go”
   Moses is no longer fearful. He's not afraid of stepping out in faith. This is not the same man who had been saying . . "I am not . ." or "I can't do . .". This man is now boldly demanding that Pharaoh "Let My people go"!

#7  A God given dream establishes Perseverance. You will see that the story of Moses that he had to continually approach and confront Pharaoh. He (God) had finally developed within him perseverance. He would not give up until he saw God's dream become reality. God is looking for you not to be afraid but to persevere. He is looking for you to be willing to talk more about what He can do, rather than about what you cannot do. God's divine ability is available to you if you will take the first step of faith to follow after what He has called you to, and refuse to quit until His dream if fulfilled. So as Moses was given . . 7 points we also will be given these to complete God's dream for us today.

Are you willing to take that first step?? If so then get ready to see your mission become possible, 

in the Almighty God's name.

One Thing Lacking ; (PT 2 of 2)

 53:241018

One Thing Lacking

(PT 2 of 2)

IV) A testing command
V22 “.So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

   Those who would have the ‘Eternal Life’, that is in Christ Jesus must be prepared let everything else go at His bidding …
Matthew 19:24 “again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
“Treasure in heaven” … is the coveted portion of all those heart is right with God. What so many of those who are rich, that can’t take it with them, and have thought ‘ I can’t but me the same life in Heaven’. They look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen & eternal.

“We may possess many good things and yet lack the 

one thing needful”

   All your life you worked hard, toiled and sacrificed so much to get where you are, and all the riches and comfortable life. We have our homes ~ sofa’s ~ beds ~ mobiles phones. Once my wife said ‘we may have these things too, but they have a softer cushion to full back on, as well as a larger to tie things up’. You see what she is saying they don’t worry because of their bank balance. The way we live is on a knifes edge, such is the way we live means it will take just one thing to bring our house/homes down. What treasure do hold up as having the most value? Now give it away, all of it. NO excuses, NONE.

# The one needful thing is a whole-hearted unstaggering [relentless] faith in the Lord Himself #

V) A sorrowful result
V23  "But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich..”
   I’m sure if the Pharaoh’s could see that all their riches, it bought nought, and was left behind for anyone who wanted it. Would they spend it on more fabulous statues and Pyramids? Although Christ gave him the Word of life. But the deceitfulness and the Pharaoh’s riches chocked it.
Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Proverbs 11:28  “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
   I feel if these 2 verses don’t make it clear that your riches, stat here for others, whom you know nothing of! Most of us have heard of the Chinese ‘Terracotta-Army’, this clearly shows that this got to show his wealth was ripe for grave robbers. It really did the ‘Emperor Qinshihuang' no good. We all come into this World with nothing, and leave this World with nothing.
   So don’t be foolish, and learn from others, don’t get blind and stop held back. It’s time to relieve the burden, most all in the UK here have heard of the broadcaster ‘Chris Evans’. Whose wealth was around 60 million pounds, turned around one day and shocked most by saying I don’t need all this money to live comfortable, thus he gave away 3/4’s of his wealth. Many called him insane/stupid/out of his mind. I’m sure all those calling him these names would not give one red cent, they must have felt threatened, in case they were expected to do like wise. If just these 3, Bill Gates- Oprah Winfrey & Elon Musk gave away ½ of their wealth, imagine what could be done in just the USA. That’s including the Arabs shaqs, the mountain load of Russian million & billionaires and others. NO poverty, Water wells dug for those in the African countries, and the list goes on.

VI) A Forcible Application
24 “..And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life..”

   It is easier for a camel to be unburdened, and to crawl through the narrow side gate into the City, and that would have been no light task. Jesus put it like this ..V25 “ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” .. My wife and I say how we would give helping some of our local charity's. Randomly visiting large and small supermarkets, like Tesco's for instance. We’d sit in the managers office, watching the tills out of sight, that is very important, as the blessing is not about us, but God. We would call a till and tell them to let the shopper know their food bill free today, and we pick up the bill instead. There are so many ideas like this we have that is meant to give God the glory not us.
   It may come as a surprise to many that, NO camel, by it’s self, could untie the obstructive bundles from it’s back. As no more, can the rich buy themselves free from their burdens of life, and love of their riches, but .. V27 “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” .. Peters response is one that those whom are rich need to remember their wealth counts for nought when we meet the Lord.

V28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

   Not that Christ Jesus needed reminded as He knew the sacrifice His disciples had already gave to follow Him. Our first ever sacrifice we make as Christians, is to turn our backs on the old sinful lives. To sacrifice our selves for the interests of Christ .. is to receive manifold more in this time, and in this World to come life everlasting.

Prayer ...

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your Word, may we take it's seeds into our bossom and grew them. So that we are NO  longer lacking in area of our lives we gave freely to you. Now we are growers lets plant your seeds in others, in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

55:151220

Christ Jesus is our Salvation (pt2) 

   Noah used the attacks and mocking, as motivation to work harder & faster. Here's a warning to us all that when the devil comes a knocking, don’t be a hiding. Tell him to be gone in Jesus name …
Math 4: 10 … “..Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve ..”

   Tell me, ‘do you run from your faith?’ OR, ‘do you press into your faith’? In other words, ‘is your faith that shallow, that’s all only for show’? We all have Gods ‘armour’, but you put is on? Your friend comes around, late and soaked through to the skin, do you put on a coat that is also soaked through, will you still go out? OR put on this brand new coat that you bought because you know you’ll be warn and dry?

   Next time the devil turns up, to beat you down and discourage you, don’t hide your faith, be strong and know you are not alone. Let God rise up in you and let His enemies scatter.

   Always remember that your children are forever watching you and from your behaviour learn how conduct themselves. Children are like giant sponges, they soak up everything you do ~ everything you say; your reactions to how your treated; as well as how you treat people. How can you expect them to grow up and with pride, this is my partner/wife/husband. When they see that you don’t treat their mum/dad with such pride. 

   The same goes for your faith, what do they see you do that shows everyone how much you value having Christ Jesus in your life…

• Mothers, what do you do, when your neighbour wants you to compromise you convictions? 
•  When they want your Sunday worship to be a one day thing, and your Worldly relations to for 6 (six) days with God. 

Mark 11: 22 “..So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God...”
… from an outsiders view, to see a bunch of people putting faith into something they have never seen ~ heard ~ touched, looks pointless. But we know better as we have faith in God/Jesus Christ presence.

Hebrews 11: 1 “..Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen..” 

   Noah could have just laughed at God, He told Noah about the flood to come, as there had never been told of before, nor nor had Noah seen one. When all was said and done Noah’s faith was such that he went ahead and built the ark anyway…
1 Thessalonians 5 5: 2&4 “..2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night… 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief..”
4: 16&17 “..16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord..”

   Why is that we don’t put any substance in this book in our hands, When ~ How ~ Why ~ What? ..

#by Reading, by Praising, by Praying# 

… how else. 

   Just as Noah built an Ark, so by doing these things daily without skipping a day, Or we will come to a day that we no longer have faith. This can happen in a blink of an eye, till we can’t be bothered to go to church, and no longer have any faith. If you want to become say a ‘carpenter’ you have to continually, persevere when trying to make joints, and so read how to do it. Here’s a saying I heard, and it summed up what I’m trying to say...

(("Perseverance is stubbornness with a purpose")) !! 

   You need to do all things daily to keep your faith strong. Like reading your bible daily, for instance every day I read ‘Proverbs’. Say it’s the 10th then I’ll read the 10th Chapter of Proverbs, and so on. You will find comfort in the Bible, it will illuminate the path for you to walk, in God’s direction for you. Don’t be ashamed of your faith when those around you start to pressure you, instead stand your ground, put the whole armour of God on. (Ephesians 6)

   Because Noah’s faith was strong, he put actions into his faith. His sons could see this, dad behaves as he believes. When Noah’s name is mentioned it is also known that he was able to save his family…
Genesis 7: 1 “..Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation..”
&V13 “..On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark..”

Hebrews 11: 7 “..Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household..”

2 Peter 2: 5 “..and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness..”

   It is that Noah was one of 8 (eight), so who were they? Well we all can work this out, have you guessed yet? OK OK I’ll put you out of your misery..
1~ is Noah 2~ Noah’s wife 3~ Shem     4~ Shem’s wife

5~ Ham     6~ Ham’s wife  7~ Japheth 8~ Japheth's wife
...but if they were all preachers, questions arise such as

• Where was the Church?
• Who Preached? 
• Surely what was the sermon on? 

    As old as Noah was when he died, it is believed that Noah ‘never’ stood behind a lectern during his life. He may have never had buildings with room to seat 500+. The adage says that ‘actions speak louder than words’. Just as then, it is the same, that ‘non-believers will hold us to a higher standard than themselves.

   Fathers what are you watching, saying; doing; treating family and friends. Your children are watching; listening; seeing how to behave around others, Then taking what have learnt from you, to take it in to school and their lives. Thinking if it’s OK for you then it’s OK for them to do like wise.

   What is it that you do daily that outwardly shows your faith to your family and others? .. without a word being spoken? Surely this has to be your best and most important sermon? The most important thing your children must have in you is .. trust. For without trust, your family will not follow you to Church. They won’t understand why you tithe. As a child, I’m sure either & both parents told you ‘I told you so’. The more you show your child, whilst they are young, and so seeing the benefits they will teach their children.

#Never underestimate the power of teaching through showing# 

   This is how Noah showed others his faith, and trust daily through showing. Parents, are you doing the same as Noah? This is not just for yesterday .. for today .. but for every day till your called up yonder. You need to be that lighthouse that helps them steer clear of danger. Or, are you someone that still looks out for number 1.

   Is your family saved, a Christian, because of your actions? Your family can't move forward when everyone else is against them unless you are someone who is for them. Noah's wife told him off or put him down the moment he and his sons got home. So long as you and your spouse are together in harmony then, the easier it will be for your children to follow your example. What example are you showing to others today? So even the rest of your family know where the 'Ark of Salvation' is?

• Do you old friends see you as before you were saved, or do they see you making a stand for what you openly believe in?
• Do you old friends see & hear you talk of Earthly things you were saved, hence why they don’t think of Heavenly things? 
• Do you old friends see you enter their homes with thanksgiving for Lord Jesus now you were saved? Do your Children see & recognise .. “..when 2 or more are gathered in His..”?  
• Do they recognise Gods sanctuary?  
• Do they recognise that in Gods sanctuary/house, burdens are lifted and yokes are made easy? And their chains of bondage are broken apart?
• Do they recognise in this place your sin is forgiven, and your body is healed of all that ails it?
• Lastly I ask they see you openly worship … praise and give thanks, that they see this is why life is so worth living! 

Do they? Do they? Do you? 

  It’s time to show them, not just for this or next Sunday but every Sunday ~ Monday ~ Tuesday ~ Wednesday ~ Thursday ~ Friday ~ Saturday, I think you can see where I’m going with this. What an awesome God we have indeed. Q: Children do you follow the example of you Parents have set before you?

   Noah’s sons ..Shem, .. Ham .. Japheth, did just as Noah and his wife, (of whom we were not told the name of). What an example they set for their boys. Are you doing the same? 500Yrs is a long time to be with someone. They never gave up after a few years. As each of the boys grew up they looked and were they same.
Proverbs 18: 22 “..He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favour from the Lord..”

   Today & tomorrow us husbands must need to tell our wives “I found a good thing or the Lord” Children you need to honestly follow and heed and obey your parents, for your own good. Don’t stand there and spout “your not the boss of me”. You need to agree and heed what your parents are trying two impart on you.
Ephesians 6; 1 “..Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right..”

   Surly this a good ~ cheap ~easy solution to having “..a long life..”, this out come from this simple and easy thing right? All this from obeying your parents, not bad hey?
James 2: 17 “..faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead..”

   Noah heeded gods warning about the flood coming, and because he listened to God, then obeyed Him. As is the attitude of today by many, they must have heard God but, just wanted Him to give them a boat for doing ‘Nothing’. God wanted to show us, but today instead we wanted to be told when and where the boat will be for us to get on. God wants to show us that faith needs effort put in if we want to get something back.

   God’s blessing is for everyone who is willing to put the effort in to your daily faith & Bible reading. Noah may well not have been perfect, but his faith was strong. When the flood comes you will not just need the ark, but also his blessed word of salvation. I often wonder in the planning of the Ark, he must have asked the Lord ‘Why so big, there is not even a 12 of us?’

   You see the flood I’m talking about is not one of water, as the flood that nearly covered ‘Yorkshire, here in England’. Instead I’m talking about the one of mankind, such of getting bad news from you Doctor it’s Cancer/Covid19. It’s being laid off after 20yrs of loyal service.

   Being laid off, for instance, you need to come home and call on the Lord and say that … “They, were not my provider, but you are my provider. You promised you will provide and meet my every need, according your riches and glory. You would open all the windows, and pour out so much blessings I’ll not be able to contain them”

   As Christian's, there is one thing for sure, ‘we should never .. never .. never panic or worry about what is before us, even ask why?’ Just give God an elbow in the ribs and remind Him of His promises for you. Everything is going to work out just fine, because God is on the throne yesterday, today, tomorrow and for ever and ever.

Why do you think we call God the ‘Omnipotent one?’ ...

• meaning: a deity as having unlimited power ~ all powerful ~ almighty ~supreme ~ pre-eminent 
• having great power and influence.

… So when it is said that He knows everything, trust me He does. When you can’t see a path through the troubles we’re in, He will shine a light to show us the way. He will provide provisions, where there are none, is this sinking in yet. All things are possible when you put 100% of our faith in Him who makes everything. 

#You can’t wait till the flood comes build your Ark today# 

   

   Jesus already told us 2000 years ago “..Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham ” Luke 19:9 .. So many put this off. Our loved ones need to be shown the light. I know this from a personal stand point. When are you going to stop those you love going to hell and damn nation. You families may thumb their noses at the idea of becoming a Christian, remind them that God forgives ‘ALL’ their sins, so please don’t give up on them now.

   It’s simple just have faith in god, yesterday is gone you can’t change it. With God by their side Tomorrow can be beyond theirs & your wildest dreams. Please to take to heart what I have been saying here, and grasp Gods Salvation with both hands and never let go. If you have read this and want God in your life, seek out someone who can pray with you, and or, I want you to pray this prayer with me ...

Lord God I come before you a sinner, 

I want to turn away from my old ways. 

I have come to be reborn. 

I have decided to accept my position in Christian, 

and sit with Him in Heavenly places. 

When people say ‘who do you think you are?’ 

I will say unto them .. 

I’m a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, 

a Holy nation and a peculiar person. 

I’m steadfast, immovable, and abounding 

in the work of the Lord, for I know that my 

labour is not in vain in God. I’m not weary 

for in due season I will reap, if I faint not. 

I prosper and I am in good health, 

even as my soul prospers. 

Greater is He who is in me that he 

who is in the world. No weapon that is 

formed against me can prosper. ”for if God is 

for me who can stand against me” 

   If you have prayed this prayer today, seek out a Church or someone who you know goes to one soon. May Gods word not return empty.

In Christ Jesus name Amen. 

Christ Jesus is our Salvation pt1

54:020220

Christ Jesus is our Salvation

Genesis 7: 1 “..The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation..”

   Noah was truly a man of faith, because he did what the Lord told, not to mention building the ‘Ark’, in the first place. This in it’s self proved to God how much Noah was a man of faith.

   I’m sure Noah had to battle on despite his critic's and mockers. . .
Mockers … How are going to steer that thing without a rudder?
Noah … I don’t know but God does.
Mockers … Where are you going to go?
Noah … I don’t know never been on a cruise before.

   Noah’s wife is always over looked during this time in his life. As she is along with the whole family, has never been written about before. Think about it, a ship that has no rudder: sail or ships-wheel, would have no idea where they would be headed. How many of us as a child disagreed with their parent as they thought they knew it all when just 13 to 15? saying “I’m not a child anymore, declaring they are old enough and responsible enough.”

   You might think that ‘just’ praying for your parents, siblings, children, is all that needs to done. Or, you will never see them in the garden of Eden? (wrong). If they are not saved, or born again ,or have accepted Christ Jesus into their lives. Come see me and I’ll give the matches myself, to set them on fire. As this is what you are condemning them to, when they go to the ‘great-lake-of Fire’.

Rev 20: 15 “..Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire..”

Math 24: 37 “..As it was in the days of Noah..” Today the excuse is ‘well he had it so damn easy’… WHAT … Noah had temptations excuses, same pressures, these are the same today. Just as today, it was easy to give in to wickedness. How many times did he miss his dinner because he working on the Ark? How many times was he late for special dates? It would have been easy for Noah’s wife to say had had enough. All these things happen today! I do wonder what must go through Gods mind when He see’s the mess the world and us are in?

   A large population that knows of the Bible says, NO to it’s ways as it is too restrictive. Instead they prefer to sit on the side lines to judge those who want to be a Christian, just waiting for you to slip up. To many times God sees those who would rather ‘all-mod-cons’, than help those who have nothing, and would rather be a Christian. Too many times Gods sees a ‘Me, Myself, Mine’. One that never stops to help those less fortunate.

   A mind set that always thinks ‘my money I earned it – I worked hard for it, so I can spend it how I want I have asked this question many times, you see a glass filled half way, now do you see a glass half fall or half empty? (my wife asks what is in the glass?)

   On social-media is a video was shared, a while ago now, Of a guy who would, out of his own pocket, went around Spring-Summer-Autumn-Winter, would hand out a bottle of water a packet of sandwiches and a new T shirt. In the Winter he would give a thermal T shirt. I’m not saying you need to do this, something is better that nothing.

   We have become a generation that would rather ‘lie’ than being honest….
2Timothy 3: 1 “..But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come..
V2 ..For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy..
V3 ..unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good ..”
   Try and get your head around the fact, these are just 14 behaviours of many more, we endure today. It would scare you witless if I listed them all, it would take too long to list.
V5 “..from such people turn away..”

   I have an exercise for to try, and please do. I want you to go to your front door step out side, looking up and down. You can’t save everyone, instead turn around and look at your home, win them for Jesus, forgive them of any wrong doings. Tell them that you love them even when they don’t won’t to hear it, if on the phone to relatives, tell them ‘God Bless’, at the end of each call. I did this with my parents, my late mother knew how much this meant to me and so accepted. Dad to accepted this and always ended our call with God Bless too. So never give up on your family it will never be too late. Mum in our last visit we had together in her Hospital bed accepted Christ, dad sadly not and breaks my heart, should have done more. Noah saved his household as well.

   Remember faith conquers all, we are so consumed with keeping up with the ‘Jones’, we end up missing what truly is important. They have more money than you, but that is not what is important, they value higher-education’ because they have a masters/PhD degree. With all their education, they missed the point, as education does not mean your intelligent. For all her education I had to show a mid 20’s student Nurse how to make a cup of coffee, scary or what?

#Faith will always make the difference# 

   Just because you come from a ‘privileged’ background, have loads of money in the bank, believe me when I tell you this will not save. Sooner or later your finances will run out, then where will you be? When all things fail you’ll have nothing, that is unless your faith in Gods divine purpose for your life is true.

   Noah had so much faith in God, so much so .. Genesis 6: 8 “..But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord..” .. I wonder how of you have had so called ‘friends’, mock your faith saying things like ...”Where is your God?” … When your going through hard times … “How come your god has not healed you yet?” … “How can you have faith in something you can’t ‘see’ or ‘touch?” I’m sure Noah must have got all these and many besides. Despite the barrage of these insults, Noah’s faith never once faltered, and so did all of his family.

I wonder how many of us have had so called ‘friends’, that mock your faith by saying things like …

• Where is your God? (When going through hard times)
• How come your God has not heard you yet?
• Why have faith in something you can’t see ‘or’ touch?

… many more hurtful comments besides. Noah got all these and many more besides and like you many more. Despite the barrage of abuse and insults, Noah’s faith never once faltered, and so did his family.

   Noah believed … Methuselah (all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died) … that it was god who built the Heavens and Earth.
Genesis 2: 7 .. “And the Lord God formed man of then dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being..”

   Due to Noah’s faith, unwavering, Noah stood out from the wicked and deceitful. He very quickly stood out because Noah believed was alive God, and sitting on His throne on high. Noah also believed if you did wrong, expect to be punished, and so god gave ‘Grace’ to Noah.

   For you to receive God’s grace, it’s not your works .. It’s not your education .. it’s about how much monetary wealth you have .. it’s not about how much sway you have in your community like on social media .. You need to have unwavering faith.
Hebrews 11: 6 “..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..”

   You win 12 Gold medals at 3 Olympics, win the F1 20yrs straight, be Knighted by the Queen, be as rich Bill Gates, from Microsoft, and give away 100’s of millions of pounds away every year. It all counts for nothing ~ nought ~ zip ~ nicht ~ ничего ~ rien, are you getting the idea?? I hope so, this is what you get for no faith in God.

   Except his family, despite all those Noah knew that had lost, or, tossed aside their faith in God, Noah stayed true to his faith. Thus in return find grace in the Lord. You see no matter who, or and for how long, Noah’s faith unshaken, some could have been an old friend whom he grew up with. Too undertake the building of such a ship to day with all the tools and cranes it would take us, by ourselves, around a life time, literally. So imagine Noah and his son’s, cutting down by hand, this using axes and nothing else, cutting joints by hand as the ship, yes lets call it’s what it is .. monster ship, became larger and larger, with out Gods help would be impossible to do this.

When your ‘friends’ mock you for becoming a Christian, constantly calling you and your family names. Can your faith with stand such a barrage of abuse? Sadly many of you will not ..  Mark 11: 22 “..Jesus said have faith in God..” … I have to talk to you about having faith in things that are NOT of God, like your cars. You have faith in them to get you to work, or on holiday. You have faith in the toaster to cook your bread just the way you like. We have faith in many more things than I have room to write, but just please before reading on have a 2min think.

   There will come a time when you metal (faith) will be tested to the limit and beyond. Make sure daily that your faith cannot be compromised. You faith in finances will fail, in natural strength will fail, you will recognise when other people are going to fail you, but...

You faith in God will never fail you 

...when at work someone will ask you, ‘why do you pray’? Do you stick your head in the sand, or, do you hold fast to your faith and answer them?

part 2 coming in a couple of days

Holiday

 

I hope in the name Christ Jesus 

our Lord, that you and families are in good health.

   I have reached a stage where I need to take some time off for health, and spend some time with the Almighty Father God and rest in His presence to recharge batteries. Whilst the will be no more ‘new’ sermons published I will re-publish some of my old ones. I will be back publishing new works from Gods Word.


   Please don’t forget your prayers as these are important part of our daily walk with Christ. Thank you for your understanding.