Author Archive: Jon

CORONA REFLECTIONS – by Colin Tomlinson

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Though most of the strict and enforced confinements during Corona time have eased, we’re still locked down in a sense. Modes of thinking and even thoughts have been changed – and this will last for a long time. We think differently; our patterns will change, our views on authority, on science, on historical norms and ways of life – they will all change … We were masterful; we could do things without too many hindrances, but now we are less certain. How can a virus and its spread seem to conquer the world?

Perhaps an equivalent time was life before WW1 and after its start. Societies with regular order and norms suddenly thrown into a breakdown of all of that: rich or poor, the people of Europe were all in the same boat: death and destruction. Memories of peace and order come back, but the war is present and persuasive.

As Christians we have hope: a hope that is rooted and sure, yet we live in this world and suffer with so many that suffer; there is no more a “them and us” – the virus is indiscriminate.

Product Details:
Author: Colin Tomlinson
Dimensions: A5 – 205 mm x 145 mm
Weight: approx. 84 gms
Pages: 48

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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FAITH IN THE WORK PLACE

Accomplishing a balance between work and family life has never been harder and for those who are Christians striving to live a Godly life it is fraught with difficulties. Daily life brings with it reality which has a nasty habit of raising its ugly head when you least expect it.
The reality of life is just that, it is REALITY. It is real, it is life, and it is the here and now.
All other types of life are make-believe!

  • The meeting with the Queen of England would be fleeting.
  • The meeting of our favourite film star or pop star, would be brief.
  • Living in a country where there would be no crime would not bring any lasting peace and happiness, for the simple reason that life without Christ is meaningless.

Faith in anything else but Christ is pointless.
It is in fact make-believe!
There is no doubt that everyone wants to improve himself or herself, whether it’s one’s situation, condition, image or whatever people feel would make them happier.
Accomplishing this, however, is fraught with pitfalls, not the least of which is that the world has conjured up a myriad of approaches in attempting to reach that goal, but as many have already discovered, success is usually short-lived.

Without even considering what the Bible has to say, man will reach for and devour books and magazines on self-help, self-improvement and self-love, with no shortage of courses and classes to attend.
All of which are sadly, short-lived.
The Biblical approach however, has its objective in temporal improvement with eternal consequences, providing instructions that will vastly improve one’s condition here on earth as well as prepare us for eternity. Sadly, there are not many people who consider eternity as being important!

Having ambition in the work place and seeking satisfying life choices should not be looked upon as wrong provided they are grounded in the Word of God and we are walking in His will. If we decide to ignore what our Creator has in store for us, we must not be surprised when things do not turn out as we had hoped. And we certainly have no right whatsoever to blame Him when things go wrong.

The dictionary defines Ambition as:
Aims, objectives, aspirations and determination.
It is synonymous with: goals, drives and desires.
As our Creator, God alone knows every aspect of every human being, from the minutest part of our physical bodies to every thought our mind thinks. There is nothing that God does not know about us. Therefore, as we deal with situations and circumstances, desires and ambitions, we cannot do better than to turn to the one who knows us best.

Our Manufacturer’s handbook (The Bible) tells us that the first humans, Adam and Eve were created in perfection, but then disobeyed God which resulted in the corruption of their natures and everyone after that. One of the ploys of ‘modern thinking’ is to ridicule the story of Adam and Eve and pretend that it is not true, thereby absolving us from any responsibility for our actions, desires and ambitions. The mess the world is in today, financially, morally and spiritually bares ample testimony of this with everyone doing what they think is right in their own eyes.

An interesting but often overlooked part of Scripture is in the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 11:7 – If ever there was a portrayal of burning desire and ambition in man, it was for each and every Jew to be free from the terrible slavery they were subjected to whilst in Egypt.
At the top of their agenda was to be free! And yet we read….

For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in
the day that I brought them out of the land of
Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and
protesting saying, Obey my voice.
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked
every one in the imagination (stubbornness) of
their evil heart. Jeremiah 11:7-8

Let these words sink into our minds:

Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear.

  • They disobeyed God.
  • They did not even want to listen!

We need to remember that self-improvement from a Biblical point of view can only come about by diligently reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word. We are NOT born with a knowledge of His Word and we need to spend time getting to know what He wants from us and it is absolutely vital to having a fruitful, spirit led life and maturing in our relationship with Christ and getting to know what He wants for our lives.

The real barrier to understanding God’s Word and His will for our lives is not intellectual.

  • It is moral.
  • It is not that we cannot understand.
  • We do understand.
  • It is that we are not willing to accept the consequences of letting God have His way in our lives.

When we approach the Bible, we must be very careful to do so in a spirit of humility and honesty together with a submissive heart. This involves realising that our wants and desires which include our ambitions and aspirations will have to conform to God’s will and NOT our own.

  • We must not impose our preconceived ideas upon the Bible of trying to use it to justify our own ideas and plans.
  • We must NOT go looking for verses here and there that we may use to support our own ambitions and desires.
  • We also need to realise that it is an awesome responsibility to own a Bible!

If ever there was a story of faith worth reading it is the story of Noah:

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:6-7

When it comes to faith in the work place, Noah stands head and shoulders above anyone else. Imagine if you can, receiving instructions from Almighty God Himself to build an Ark and Him giving you details of what wood to use, the exact dimensions and how to waterproof the finished article.

In Genesis 6 we are told that Noah trusted God implicitly and did exactly what God told him to do. Can you even begin to imagine the reaction of those who lived with Noah not to mention the surrounding population?
If ever you think you are having a tough time at work, think of what Noah had to endure. The jokes, the ribbing, the laughter and finger-pointing would have been endless and relentless. A day out with the family would be to pack a picnic lunch and go and sit and watch that crazy bloke building a boat when there was no water for miles around. And boy did he take a long time to finish it! And it’s so big!

You can just imagine the Mothers saying: Never mind, we’ve got the problem of what to do with the kids when they are bored at home and our entertainment sorted for some time to come!

We all know the outcome of the story. Noah’s faith was rewarded, and he and his family were saved, and the world was condemned. Reminding us that a tiny minority of believers were right, whilst the vast majority who mocked and jeered from the side-lines were wrong.
Knowing this should make our decision to follow Christ and cultivate a love for Him, that much easier. And what’s more, God in His wisdom has left us an example to follow. In fact, the whole of Hebrews Chapter 11 gives us one example after another of people exercising faith and mentions the word faith 25 times! Go ahead and read it for yourself!

Remember, Ambition carries with it a warning label, and that label is written in bold print. It tells us to beware! To beware of walking outside of God’s will for our lives and to beware of putting self and self-interest on the pedestal of life where without warning we find ourselves so consumed with our ambition, our wants and sense of self-worth that we begin to ignore what God has done for us. And as a consequence, before we know it, our spiritual walk is in melt down.
Imagine if you can the ambitions and aspirations Noah had before God spoke to him. There is no doubt whatsoever that he was a hard-working, God fearing family man who possessed many skills.

  • We are told that he was a man of faith.
  • That he was warned by God of things to happen in the future.
  • That he was moved/motivated by fear.
  • That he was to prepare/build an Ark to save himself and his family.
  • That God had condemned the world.

There are however, Questions to ask yourself:

  • Are we not looking at and reading what is about to happen to this planet of ours?
  • Are we not living in the end times?
  • Isn’t the Bible full of warnings of what is about to happen?
  • Are we aware that Jesus could return at any moment?
  • Do we realise that there are no more prophecies to be fulfilled for His return to take those who have put their trust in Him to be with Him for eternity?

Determine from this day forth to live with Christ and for Christ and be filled with Him. Make much of Him and He will make much of you. Remember that this earth is not our final resting place and that we are merely passing through. No matter what life throws at us, Christians have someone to turn to, and that someone is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ went to the Cross and died for us that we might enter into a living relationship with the Father.

Remember:

  • Faith is the only thing that gives God His proper place.
  • Faith is the only thing that puts man in his proper place.
  • Faith not only believes that God exists.
  • It also trusts Him to reward those who seek after Him and His will for their lives.

For those of us who find the balancing of work, home and spiritual life difficult we can all take comfort from what Noah did and how he reacted after being warned by God of what the future held. In the Scriptures we are warned of what is going to happen in the future. God has warned everyone in His Word, so we are ALL without excuse! So, no matter where we work, no matter what job we have to do in life or how high we consider ourselves to be in the corporate world, every single one of us needs to know that before we approach God, we need to have a sense of FEAR and HUMILITY.

FEAR: Because we are dealing with The King of Kings.
HUMILITY: Because we recognise the desperate situation we are in together with our feebleness and frailty.

Remember that FAITH:

  • Believes the INCREDIBLE.
  • Hears the INAUDIBLE.
  • Sees the INVISIBLE.
  • Perceives the IMPERCEPTIBLE.
  • Grasps the INTANGIBLE.
  • Accomplishes the IMPOSSIBLE.

I can think of no other way to live than to place my faith in Him who died for us that we might live victorious lives.
Can You?

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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HOPE

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

The other day I was watching a repeat of an episode of X-Factor on television and the compère announced that a very popular group, (I can’t remember their names) had taken time out from their very busy world tour and were about to come on stage and perform the very song that had made them famous in every country you can imagine.
The excitement of the audience was deafening and the applause the group received as they pranced on stage, was so loud and prolonged that it almost tore the roof off the building. The crowd were on their feet, clapping and cheering.
The roving television cameras focused on excited, smiling faces with tears streaming down many cheeks. The atmosphere was palpable and electric.

The noise and excitement went on for so long that the judges and the compère had to ask repeatedly for the fans to quieten down and to take their seats so that the performance could commence. The rapturous welcome this pop group received got me thinking of today’s verse in Titus, and it struck me that if this is the way excited fans reacted when their favourite group appeared in front of them, how would we, as Christians, welcome the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ?

If we knew Jesus was coming, how would we act?
How would we behave?

  • Would we be as excited?
  • Would we react in the same expectant way?
  • Would His appearing be glorious?
  • Would we be hoping for it?
  • Would we be expecting it?

Sadly, the hope of the world is a hope which is short lived and somewhat meaningless.
It mostly revolves around self and selfish ideals, and it cannot be compared in any way with the expectant hope that lies within those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

The Bible describes the HOPE of the Christian as:
An anchor of the soul, which is both sure and steadfast. Hebrews 6:19

There is no way on earth that a Pop Group could claim to be such an anchor of the soul! We all know that Pop Groups come and go – one day a Group is on top of the world and the next, it is pushed aside for another to take over that position.
The music they produce is emotional and it is well known that we are all swayed by emotions every day. The fans waver from one emotion to another – never finding peace and lasting joy.
Can we honestly say that we are safe and secure with our emotions?

If we are honest, the only reasonable reply we can give is NO!

Real, true, lasting HOPE is anchored in a Rock, and it is my prayer for you that you have this HOPE within you and that you are sure, very sure, that you are indeed anchored by the ROCK OF AGES!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by His wounds we are healed.

Jesus suffered five kinds of wounds known to medical science:

  1. contusions – blows
  2. lacerations – scourging
  3. penetrating wounds – the crown of thorns
  4. perforating wounds – the nails
  5. incised wounds – the spear

Jesus was broken for our sins, and left to die, whilst everyone looked on. When one reflects on the inestimable value of broken things, our minds can and should focus on what really matters in life.

The Scriptures give us a wonderful insight into the importance and real worth of things that would ordinarily be dismissed should they be broken.

Broken Lamp Jars gave ample light for victory.

In Judges 7:19-21 we read: Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. (NIV)

The Broken Bread was more than enough for all the hungry.

In Matthew 14:19-21 we read: And Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (NIV)

A Broken Alabaster Jar gave fragrance to all the world!

In Mark 14:3 we read: While He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head. (NIV)

The Broken Body of our Saviour is Salvation to all who believe and receive Him.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 we read: That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.

What then are we to do with our broken lives, our broken plans and broken hearts?

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

We know we are a broken people living in a broken world, so how do we come to Him?

How else, but through a BROKEN HEART, and true repentance may Jesus Christ enter in.

Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. Luke 11:9

We are given absolute assurance in the Bible that if we carry out these simple tasks with sincerity of heart, the truth will be revealed.

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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DON’T LOOK FOR OLIVES ON A FIG TREE

So often we remember things from years ago that are not worth remembering and we forget the things we should remember. One memory I do have is reading of a silly folk song some years back and it went like this:

A little boy
With the joy of bliss
Said to a little girl,
“Please give me just one kiss.”
The girl drew back –
“You are a stranger” said she!
“But I will give you just one kiss
When apples grow on the Lilac Tree.”

The boy’s disappointment did not last long. Early the next morning he looked from his bedroom window, and to his surprise he saw the little girl tying apples on the Lilac Tree. Although this is an amusing thought, there is a similar, more serious one, in James 3:10-12 which says:

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. NIV

Here James is speaking of Words that Bless and Words that Curse.
They cannot not come from the same Source.
Edifying words come from Above and Degrading words come from Below.
So, it is no good looking for Olives on a Fig Tree and it is no good tying Olives on a Fig Tree. The Source is what produces the product.
Paul speaks of this in Galatians 5:19-23 – where he tells us: A Life characterised by worldly and fleshly desires comes from one Source.
Whereas a Life Marked by Love, Joy and Peace comes from another Source.

One is a Life that is self-centred in the Flesh.
And the other is a Life that is Christ Centred.
A Life that is filled with the Spirit will bear the Fruit of the Spirit in NINE Areas:

  1. LOVE
  2. JOY
  3. PEACE
  4. LONG-SUFFERING
  5. GENTLENESS
  6. GOODNESS
  7. FAITH
  8. MEEKNESS
  9. TEMPERANCE
  • These are the Marks of a Spirit Filled Life.
  • These are the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • These are the Qualities of a person who is Led by the Spirit.
  • They will be Seen as we allow the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Jesus our Saviour.
  • In short, we will have MARKS, FRUIT and QUALITIES, all of which will be SEEN!

We read in 2 Peter 1:5-8:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ALONE WITH GOD?

And when He was alone, the twelve….. asked of Him… Mark 4:10

When God gets us alone whether it be by heartache, temptation, sickness, disappointment or broken friendships we sometimes feel dumbfounded and utterly confused. If we incline our ear to what God is trying to teach us, during these hardships, we need to learn the art of listening.

It is then, and only then, that we will hear what He has to say.
An example for us is to watch as Jesus trains His disciples.

The Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

Worthy of note is that it was the disciples, not the crowd who were puzzled. They constantly asked Him questions and He patiently explained and expounded things to them. There is much stubbornness and ignorance in all of us and this is revealed, whether we like it or not, by the Holy Spirit, and these traits can only be adequately dealt with when we are alone with our Saviour.

Are there things of life, petty things, that keep us from being alone with Him? Determine to make time to be alone with Jesus, for unless we read and study and meditate on the Word of God, we will never grow spiritually, and we will forever wander in a desert and a spiritual wilderness.

There is much to learn!
Don’t let the locust eat the years you have.
Get alone with the One who loves you more than anyone ever could.
And listen to what He has to say.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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THE FUTURE AND FAITH

….for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20

It is strange how some use this verse out of context and boast spectacular things when it was never intended to do anything of the sort. Jesus was trying to get the disciples to realise that it was their unbelief that was holding them back. True faith must be based on a command or promise of God, and not used to show off, because if God is leading a person in a particular direction, that person can and should have the utmost certainty and trust that God can and will remove difficulties and problems that arise in doing His will.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

Not many realise that until we came to the place where we invited Jesus into our lives and began to live for Him, we were at war with God! Strong words? Yes indeed, but nevertheless true. We were all in opposition to our Creator.
We were on the side of Satan himself, warring against the Love and Goodness of our Creator.
Now that we have been justified by faith, we have fellowship with God and the conflict is at an end.

As William MacDonald has put it:

  • The war is over.
  • Hostilities have ceased.
  • We have changed from foes to friends!
  • By a miracle of Grace.

Living in today’s world we hear and read of little where there is real hope and prospects for peace. The doom and gloom of the Television and Newspapers is constant and unrelenting, with pitiful attempts by politicians to stop the dreadful violence, death and destruction that blights our planet daily.

  • Jesus gives us Hope where there was once only Despair.
  • Jesus brings Light where there was once only Darkness.
  • Jesus brings Healing when there was once Death and Destruction.
  • Jesus brings Forgiveness where there was once only Damnation.
  • Jesus is our LORD and Saviour.
  • We will be glad and rejoice in his Salvation.
  • Jesus is the Hope of all the ends of the earth.
  • There is no other!

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A PLACE FOR HIM and A PLACE FOR THEM

A PLACE FOR HIM

And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of the skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.
Where they crucified Him…. John 19:17-18

O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Jeremiah 14:8

The Hope of Israel, indeed the hope of the whole world, rejected and despised and treated as a stranger. There could be no image that could paint more intensely the sense of abandonment He must have felt.
Picture if you can, the image of mankind being completely indifferent as a stranger or as a passing traveller would be, who has no interest other than where he will sleep for the night.
If we as man-kind, could hang our heads in shame, is there a measure of how low we should go?

  • Is there a depth to which we could sink that would appease our shame?
  • The answer is a resounding NO!
  • The Hope of Israel, the Hope for the whole world has visited us.
  • And all we could do is put Him outside the city and sentence Him to death, on a Cross!

No matter what we think or do in life, our thoughts should not be far from what our Saviour did for us at the PLACE OF THE SKULL.
As February comes to an end, and the month of March looms, we are astonished at the speed the days and weeks are passing by, that we may well ponder this question:
If God the Father who came to earth as a Man and as the Saviour, could not even get from us a job permit, much less permanent residence among us, then WHY should we expect Citizenship and Sonship in Heaven to be handed out to people who don’t even want the King of Glory or the Father of all Eternity in their midst?

  • Have we given Him His rightful place in our lives?
  • Do we have A PLACE FOR HIM?
  • Have we told those around us of the sacrifice He made?
  • Do we have a burden for those who appear completely indifferent to the Message of Salvation?

There is an urgency to spread the Gospel before time runs out.

Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

A PLACE FOR THEM

….Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

Yes, there is A PLACE FOR THEM who do not wish to be with the Saviour. Those who do not want His presence on earth will not have to endure His company in eternity.
They will instead hear these dreadful words:

And then I will say unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:23

  • Only those who do the will of God will enter the Kingdom.
  • The first step in doing the will of God is to believe and trust on the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Those who do not know the Saviour will be sent to the place which was made for the devil and his angels.
  • Those who know the Saviour will go to a place of indescribable JOY AND PEACE.
  • Our Host will be the LOVELIEST PERSON ever to walk this earth!

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CAMELS CAN TEACH US A THING OR TWO

There are about twenty million camels in the world and most of them are owned by someone! They are known as The Ships of the Desert. They have very wide feet which prevents them from sinking into the sand, together with very strong legs which allow them to carry heavy loads.
They can grow over 2.5 metres tall and weigh up to 680 kilogrammes. They have three eyelids and two rows of thick eyelashes to protect their eyes from the desert sand that blows around. They are also able to close their nostrils and lips to keep out the dust.

Most people think that the humps they have are for storing water when on long trips in the desert. But what they actually store is fatty tissue, because this reduces the need for protection in the rest of the body and allows them to survive in very hot climates.

They also have very good ears.

The amount of water they drink is astonishing – a thirsty camel can drink up to 140 litres in minutes! Camels have unbelievable stamina and endurance. They can walk 160 kilometres between drinks of water and having any food. No other creature in the world can do so much without refuelling.

They also have oval shaped blood cells – no other mammal on earth has blood like this. This shape allows blood to circulate more freely even when it is very thick from lack of water. When food is scarce the camel lives off the fat of its hump, which slowly reduces in size and may even begin to flop over as the fat is used up.

The Camel is also known for its patience, tolerance and endurance which are all qualities we, as humans should have for one another. There are two more things that a Camel does every single day that not many people take notice of.

  1. The Camel kneels at the close of day to have its load lifted off for the night.
  2. It kneels again in the morning to receive its load for the day ahead.
  3. Could this be a lesson for us?

We too, should bend the knee at night before we go to bed and give heartfelt thanks for all God’s mercies we receive throughout the day.
We too, should bend the knee in the morning to receive His loving guidance for what lies ahead of us each day.

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:20-21

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GOING HOME!

When all my labours and trials are o’er
And I am safe on that beautiful shore
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be Glory for me.
When by the gift of His infinite Grace
I am accorded in heaven a place
Just to be there and look on His face
Will through the ages be Glory for me.

IN MEMORY OF A GREAT MAN OF GOD AND GIFTED BIBLE TEACHER – Mr. A. M. ROSS

  • He was born in Glasgow on August 22, 1923.
  • He was led to the Lord at the age of 13 by Harry Burness, a visiting evangelist.
  • He was never the same from that day on, making a clean break with his past and starting a new life with his new found Saviour.
  • At age 16 he heard of the need for Missionary work in Africa.
  • From then on he prepared himself for this work.
  • He diligently studied the Bible and witnessed and preached on platforms and street corners whenever he could.
  • At age 26 he was commended by Union Hall, Glasgow for missionary work in Zambia, Africa.
  • En route to the mission field he met a young lady who had also been commended for similar missionary work.
  • They were married in 1951.
  • He served with his wife by his side on the mission field for 18 years, travelling by foot, bicycle and car to take the Gospel message to different villages and homes, even having to learn the local language, which was no mean feat!
  • He lived a life in which the hardships were real, and the dangers were real. But where the provision, protection and blessings of the Lord were just as real.
  • He then moved to Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe) and for 12 years worked for the Lord, teaching in local schools and in their own home, where many young people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
  • In 1981 the Lord led them to South Africa where he continued to preach and teach in a local assembly and at various schools and on Radio Pulpit, which is part of Trans World Radio.
  • In 1991 he retired to America owing to his ill health following many years of chronic malaria, which he had contracted on the mission field in Zambia.
  • They had spent a total of 42 years in Africa!
  • In December 1996 he suffered a stroke and was confined to a wheel chair, never to walk again.
  • He was still able to preach at the local assembly in Simi Valley, California, and teach in their home and hold Bible studies and Worship meetings.
  • In 2002 he moved back to South Africa where he lived until he was called Home to be with his Saviour on 6th February 2005.
  • At his memorial service tributes honouring him, which had arrived from all over the world, were read to a congregation greatly saddened that he was no longer with them. The sadness, however was short lived because we learnt that he had asked for certain Scriptures to be read and certain hymns to be sung at his funeral, which uplifted everyone, causing them to realize that his life was in fact one of great victory and triumph, and it was all because of what the Saviour had done at Calvary.
  • It was an honour and a privilege to attend his funeral service.
  • In life he demonstrated the love Christ has for everyone.
  • In death he passed that love to all of us in the Scriptures and Hymns he chose, telling us that we should not be sad but that we should rejoice and be glad.
  • He was going home to be with the One whom he loved and worshipped!
  • He longed to meet his Saviour, and now he was face to face with Him!

He often told me that we all have the same knowledge and it is what we do with that knowledge that fixes our destiny. We have the knowledge that Jesus gave His life for us and it’s what we do with Jesus that will determine where we spend eternity, because, as he always taught, the Bible is very clear about the final destination of those who choose to ignore the message of Salvation. By the Grace of God, this amazing man came face to face with his sins and accepted Jesus into his life at a very young age and spent the rest of his life telling others about the Saviour. The wonderful message of Salvation so gripped his heart and mind that it permeated his very being, showing, as it did, in his tireless, endless and selfless work in trying to win others for Christ.

  • If ever we needed an earthly example of how to live the Christian life: He was it.
  • If ever we needed living proof of how the Word of God can and does change lives: He was it.
  • In humility, learned from the Saviour, he taught that the place of dependence on God was our first duty and our highest virtue, with the truth of this being displayed in our precious Saviour, without which we would never know that the humility of Jesus is our Salvation and His Salvation is our humility.

Face to face with Christ my Saviour,
Face to face – what will it be?
When with rapture I behold Him
Jesus Christ who died for me.
What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain.
When the crooked ways are straightened,
And the dark things made plain.
Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky.
Face to face in all His Glory,
I shall see Him by and by!

In loving memory of Mr A. M. Ross.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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FANNING AND SIFTING

In Matthew 3:12 we read the following:
Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

This is a description of a large hard surface which is used as a threshing-floor. Sheaves of wheat or corn would be thrown over the floor and oxen would tread on it, causing the chaff, or husks, to be separated, leaving behind the grain itself.
The remaining chaff would then be driven off by a large fan causing a strong wind to blow the seed cases away which would then be swept up and burnt.

In Psalm 1:1-6 – we read the following:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Here we have the Scriptures telling us of the difference between the Godly and ungodly, the saved and unsaved, the wheat and the chaff.

In Luke 22:31 – we read the following:
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 

Have you noticed that four words have now emerged?

  • Fan
  • Wheat
  • Chaff
  • Sift

Our lesson for today is to know the difference.

  • In the one Christ fans to get rid of the chaff.
  • In the other, Satan sifts to get rid of the wheat.
  • In the one Jesus protects us from the world
  • In the other Satan wants us to join his world

Psalm 16:8 tells us:
I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Psalm 35:5 tells us:
Let them be as chaff before the wind: let the angel of the Lord chase them.

We must be under no illusion that Satan wants to keep us from the Saviour. If we already belong to the Saviour, then he will do all he can to make us ineffective!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

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LOVE AND ABRAHAM’S OFFERING

I have often heard people say that love is 50/50, give and take.
It is an expression widely used and will, without exception, produce nods of approval from all within listening distance when the subject is raised.
Most people have their own recipes and guidelines for obtaining love and staying in love.
Libraries and corner shops are awash with publications and magazines giving readers additional advice on how to love and how to boost and maintain matrimonial bliss.

Harmony within these relationships is probably the number one topic. Yet, if the truth be known, most couples do not know how to love. The proliferation of guidance counselling classes bears testimony to this, not to mention divorce and breakups.
Women’s magazines often have short tests for the reader to take, in order to find out if their relationship stands up to modern scrutiny. The reader ticks a box at the end of every question, and at the end of the test, there is a score, which tells you if you are compatible or not. Some even offer quick fixes, should your score be on the low side.

I have always had a problem agreeing with those who claim love or marriage is a 50/50 arrangement, simply because the equation is deeply flawed.
1.Because no-one mentions what the partners do with the remaining 50% they have.
2.Because it characterises the I, I, I, and me, me, me nature mankind possesses from birth.

It has been said that of all human passions, love is the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.
The Bible tells us that God judges the heart, whilst man judges the outward appearance.
There is no doubt that the subject of love is probably the number one topic in most people’s thoughts, affecting everyone, reaching deep down into the very fabric of life itself.
Sadly though, the evidence stacks up against those who claim to know all about the subject, as modern methods and cures for all ills lead people away from realising that true love is a feeling to be learned. To put it another way: We are not born to love.
Young children provide ample evidence of this little appreciated fact of life.
Watch how they interact with other children when there are toys to be shared! I want it! You can’t have it! It’s mine!
Sadly, many grown-ups act the same way, with the only give-away, being their age.

Another aspect of life, which incidentally, is inextricably linked with love is the arena of forgiveness.
This is another of life’s lessons that needs to be learned.
How to forgive and when to forgive are questions which mankind struggles with.
They go hand in hand with feelings and together play havoc with emotions.
A young boy was asked for his definition of love, and this was his reply:
Love is a feeling that you feel when you feel like you are going to feel a feeling that you have never had before.
Mark Twain once said: Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
The scent he speaks about, can be likened to the sweet-smelling savour that went up to God when Jesus Christ was trampled on.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. Ephesians 5:1-2

It is impossible for the natural mind to understand or appreciate the meaning of true love. Human love, at its best, is not even a small imitation of true LOVE. When God created man, He made him in His own image, and His own likeness.
Just think of how jealous you and I are of our image, especially if we have reason to think it is above average.

But God made man in His own image, and God sought fellowship with His creature. However, God recognised that it was not good for man to be alone, so determined that He would make a help meet for him.
God knew, that the help meet would be the physical, emotional and mental compliment of man, and would by the nature of things even tend to usurp God’s rights in the realms of love and of the spirit.

But such is the love of God that He did not resent Eve’s coming between Him and Adam.
God would continue to work for both their good, and would teach them the place that was rightly His, and look for a reciprocating love in them.

Luke 10:27 – Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

God never found a man who would let Him come between himself and the object of his love until Abraham learned to walk with God.
Then God gave Abraham the promise of a son, and for 25 years Abraham waited for that promise to be realised. When that son came, he was called Isaac, and all God’s other promises to Abraham were wrapped up in this PROMISED CHILD.

Then came God’s master stroke.
How like God was Abraham?
Would he stand the test?

Genesis 22:2 – Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Then I read these amazing words:
Genesis 22:3 – And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him.

What pathos is in these words.
I see the angels of God straining as they gaze over the ramparts of heaven at this sight.
A MAN HAS, WITHOUT COMPLAINT, WITHOUT QUESTION, RISEN EARLY TO DO THE WILL OF GOD, WHEN THAT WILL COMES BETWEEN HIM AND THE GREATEST OBJECT OF HIS LOVE.

  • Moses couldn’t do that, he talked back to God when he was being sent into Egypt to bring out the children of Israel.
  • Jonah wouldn’t do that, he ran in the opposite direction when God wanted to DELIVER Nineveh and Jonah wanted to DESTROY it.
  • Peter didn’t do that when God was sending him to the Gentiles with the Gospel, he said: Not So Lord.
  • Paul didn’t do it, when God gave him a thorn in the flesh. HE THREE TIMES BESOUGHT THE LORD THAT IT MIGHT BE REMOVED.

Now tell me my friend, would you do it?
All God’s promises were in that son.
All Abraham’s hopes were in that son.
God said Isaac was going to have children, and these children would be the source of universal blessing.
Now God is saying: Slay Isaac!

To Abraham, God could not make a mistake.
If Abraham did not know what God was doing, God did; and He was not making a mistake.
If God could ever make a mistake the whole universe would cease to exist, it was as simple as that.

I think I see the faces of the angels in heaven as Abraham lifts the knife to plunge it into his son Isaac.
They are ecstatic, this is beyond anything they could have conceived:
A MAN LOVING GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE, AND DOING HIS WILL WITHOUT QUESTION.
But that one act did not only reveal the faith and love of Abraham, it revealed THE HEART OF GOD.
Abraham never drove that knife home, but God drove His point home: That TRUE LOVE IS COSTLY.
WHAT ABRAHAM DID IN TYPE, GOD DID IN TRUTH.

PADKOS – 15 MAY

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Padkos

GUIDANCE

John 16:13

The Spirit is come, He will guide you into all truth. KJV

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. NIV

Psalm 25:9

The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way. KJV

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. NIV

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye. KJV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. NIV

Guidance has to do with Man’s NEED and God’s NATURE.

The PURPOSE God guides us is so that:

  • We might have the right So He guides us into all truth.
  • We might make the right So He guides us in judgment and teaches us His way.
  • We might reach the right So He guides us in the way we should go.

The REASON for God’s guidance is:

  • To teach us of our need and God’s sufficiency.
  • To keep faith fresh and expectancy alive.
  • To have fellowship with God.
  • To give living witness to the reality of God’s presence, provision and protection.

The PRINCIPLE of guidance is:

  • That we do not walk after the flesh but after the Spirit.

The PRACTICE of guidance is that:

  • God has shown us what is good.
  • God has shown us what He requires.
  • We are to do what is honourable and right.
  • We are to love mercy.
  • We walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

Living in today’s mixed up world without proper guidance would cause great concern to those who do not know the Saviour. If you have not given your heart and life to Him, may I urge you to do so sooner rather than later, because when you do you will find that God will:

  • Guide you into all truth.
  • Guide you in the decisions you have to make.
  • Teach you His ways.

What more could we ask for?

PADKOS – 20th APRIL

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PadkosTHE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT

Matthew 22:37-38

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind. KJV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. NIV

How many of us can say, hand on heart, that we have obeyed this commandment?

Did you know that there is a second great commandment which is connected to the first?

Matthew 22:39

Thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself. KJV

Love your neighbour as yourself. NIV

I will take a stab here and say that this is one commandment that has not been obeyed in every corner of this world in which we live!
We have all rebelled against God.
We have all disobeyed His laws.
We have all been unable to fulfil the purpose for which God made us.
We have not loved God.
We have not loved our neighbour.
We need to receive Jesus as our Saviour and repent of our sins, and then and only then will we have the desire and power to obey these two commandments. They are two of the greatest commandments which include the greatest commitment.
If we are to obey there must be a commitment, without which we cannot obey.

… choose life – by Colin Tomlinson

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Land of Troy, King Midas, Tarsus; land of Iconium, Laodicea, Colossae, Ephesus …
… So, where did the Turks come from? Wasn’t this the Asia Minor we learned about? How come everyone speaks Turkish? Wasn’t Greek the lingua franca? Why is nearly everyone Muslim? Didn’t the Apostle Paul come here, and the people become Christian?

Wasn’t the capital and great city called Constantinople – named after a Roman emperor, now Istanbul??
Did the Christians run away or were they all massacred?
Let’s look at these things …   

 

Product Details:
Author: Colin Tomlinson
Dimensions: A5 – 205mm x 145 mm
Weight: approx. 96 gms
Pages: 59