Fragments from the Master's Table » Page 2

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 13 June, 202213 June, 2022 by Jon

THE BIBLE

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Psalm 119:105,160

How true it is that those who have experienced the power of the Scriptures in their lives are not likely to forget them.
Simply because they were born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever!
The very best of man, and of what’s on offer in this world, falls way short of perfection and always comes to an end.

But the Word of God is perfect and infinite. The more we get to know the Bible, the more we realise just how far short we come.
Where else would you uncover great nuggets of treasure, beauty and wonders that have true meaning?

Long ago it was precious to the Godly because it was rare.
In the days of Samuel, it was a despised book.
In the days of Josiah, it was a forgotten book.
In the days of Jeremiah, it was a neglected book.
In the days of Malachi, it was a rejected book.
In the days of Nero, it was a condemned book.
In the days of the Inquisition, it was a forbidden book.
In modern times, it is a mutilated book, and yet it’s truth still stands.

It isn’t enough to own a Bible; we must read it.
It isn’t enough to read it; we must let it speak to us.
It isn’t enough to let it speak to us; we must believe it.
It isn’t enough to believe it; we must live it.

What book is that whose pages are divine➔ The Bible
That bears God’s impress on every line, ➔ The Bible
And in man’s soul makes light to shine? ➔ The Bible
What is the greatest gift the Lord In His mercy did award, To man to be his shield and sword? ➔ The Bible
When sin and sorrow, want and woe, assault poor mortals here below, What book can real comfort show? ➔ The Bible
Oh what can make this world of woe with peace and truth and virtue glow, Till men no more sin nor sorrow know? ➔ The Bible
When death comes knocking at the door, As it will for everyone, that’s for sure, What tells of bliss for evermore? ➔ The Bible
Author Unknown

It has been said that no-one ever graduates from Bible study until he meets its Author face to face.
A humble believer can see more on his knees than his enemies on tiptoes!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 19 April, 202218 December, 2022 by Jon

WHAT JESUS DID

He took the hate and gave me love.
He took the wrath and gave me rest.
He took the pain and gave me peace.
He took the darkness and gave me the dawn.
He took the humiliation and gave me honour.
He took all I deserved and gave me all I needed.
He went to the Cross so I could have a new beginning.

Yes, I have a Friend, He was a carpenter, and He took my cross, my cruel cross and with its wood He made a door.
I pierced His hands upon that cross,
He used those hands to open that door so that I could enter and find Forgiveness, Faith and Fellowship.
I find Love, Life and Light.
I find Him whom I sought not, and the things I sought, I turn from with scorn and disdain, for those are what caused my shame.
In the despised I find delight, and the once delightful I now despise.
He has taken from me riches that were impoverishing me and replaced them with a poverty that has enriched me.

Christos Anesti! – Alithos Anesti.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 19 February, 202221 February, 2022 by Jon

SEEK YE CHRIST

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

These wonderful verses encourage us to put away our old life and put on the new life. For years we have walked the ways of the world and now with our hearts, minds and eyes opened by God’s Holy Word, we are spurred on to set our affections on things above.

Once we accept Christ into our lives and begin to put aside our old ways, we are dead and buried to our old lives and have risen with Him into a completely new life. I am constantly reminded of the following verse of Scripture whenever daily life throws, or attempts to throw, me off course.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:9

Like all things new we need to learn what to do and how to do it. Many years ago we bought my late Father a new video recorder for his birthday. When we told him how it worked, he was amazed that he could watch the nature programmes he so loved and at the same time record another programme. He could not believe it was possible until we proved it to him! He always thought that you could only watch one programme at a time. As a consequence of having this new thing in his life, he had to learn what to do and how to do it. There were instructions to read, buttons to press, programmes to find and channels to set.
He had to learn the new way because the old way was done away with. He had to wave goodbye to it. In fact, he soon learned that he could never go back to the old ways if he wanted to watch his programmes.
So it is with us as new believers. We have to say goodbye to our former way of life, and set our mind on new things.
To focus on things from above, and not on things of the earth. No matter how hard it is to do or how strong the pull of our old lives, we must face Heaven and put our backs to the world. Although we are still on earth, we should cultivate heavenly ways, by reading, meditating and paying attention to what God has to say.

A.T. Robertson has put it like this:

The baptized life means that the Christian is seeking heaven and is thinking heaven.
His feet are on earth, but his head is with the stars.
He is living like a citizen of heaven here on earth.
Faith honours God and God honours faith.

My prayer is that you will seek the things that come from God because they last. The things of this world are set to perish along with those who do not obey His commands.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 4 January, 20224 January, 2022 by Jon

BUILDING FOR ETERNITY

Whilst reading this passage in 1 Corinthians, and deciding whether or not to use it for today’s reading, I hesitated because it is a lot to digest and given that most people prefer a short sharp, to the point boost for the day ahead, I feared that it would be skipped over.

This got me thinking of the speed we live our lives today, where if there isn’t something to do right away, we sense a nagging feeling that we are missing out on something. Nevertheless, I have forged ahead with the hope that during this coming year, with all its problems and ups and downs, we will make every effort to slow down and take stock of our lives.

I firmly believe that today’s message is a lesson for believers who belong to God, and I pray that by answering the questions: How, Where, What and Why, we will be encouraged to, first and foremost, spend more time in our worship and appreciation of our Lord and Saviour and consign the frantic pace of our lives to second place.

1 Corinthians 3:9-19

v9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
v10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
v11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
v12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
v13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the Day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
v14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
v15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
v16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?
v17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is Holy, which temple ye are.
v18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
v19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

v10 – We need to take heed HOW we build:

God has given us everything which includes our abilities and our knowledge. So, it is incumbent upon us to use these gifts and to use them wisely and lay a solid foundation of Godly living, prayer, meditation and praise.

v11 – Let us take heed WHERE we build:

Only one foundation is required and once it is laid it does not need a second. In our case our foundation is Jesus Christ and the Bible likens us to a wise man who has built his house on a rock: no matter what the world throws at us, we will stand firm.

v12 – Let us take heed WHAT we build:

The Apostle Paul likened this to teachings that are sound and are of immense and lasting value, such as gold, silver and precious stones, whilst other teachings and works would be considered as passing value, such as wood, hay and straw. We need to ask ourselves whether what we are building for God is of lasting worth.

v13 – Let us take heed WHY we are building:

Are we building for our own sake or for the Lord? Does our service bring Glory to God and blessing for man? If it brings Glory to God, then what we do will not be affected by fire. The action of a fire is used here to portray the value of our works. Works which are not influenced and shaped by the fire are those of value, and works of little value will be burnt up.

v16 – Let us take heed WHO we build:

We are to keep ourselves in the love of God, building ourselves up in the Holy faith and praying always in the Spirit, looking unto Jesus who is our eternal Salvation. Believers are the temple of God and His Spirit dwells in us!

Make much of Him and He will make much of you.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 4 January, 20221 January, 2023 by Jon

LOOKING FOR THE BLESSED HOPE

At this time of year, let us all be encouraged to keep Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

We all need this encouragement. It’s not because our love for the Lord has cooled off; it’s because we get distracted with world events and sadly we find ourselves pulled and pushed, from time-to-time, by news bulletins on TV and Radio describing catastrophic events that may or may not overcome us.

When we consider the history of the church regarding its attitude towards its “blessed hope” through the Rapture, it’s easy to recognize the circumstances that cause apathy and indifference.

As true believers get comfortable and begin to preoccupy themselves with this world, we seem to lose interest in the imminent return of Jesus, failing to realise that the single most important event the world has ever seen or experienced could happen at any moment!

This loss of interest has serious consequences. We find ourselves involved and entangled with day-to-day issues, that we forget that Jesus could come for us today! As the well-known author Dave Hunt has put it: such an expectation has a purifying effect upon our lives. The apostle John tells us: we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” 1 John 3:2,3.

As this year draws to a close, may I encourage you all to keep your hearts and minds settled on our Saviour as we wait for His imminent return to take us to be with Him forever!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 14 September, 20219 January, 2022 by Jon

SUFFERING AND GLORY

Psalm 22:6

I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men and despised of the people. KJV
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. NIV

Psalm 22 is a Psalm that should be approached with the utmost seriousness and devotion. It is a Psalm that stands on the Holiest of ground.
When reading it, you will find yourself at Golgotha where Jesus Christ gave Himself for all of mankind.

The Psalmist captures the dreadful scene perfectly when he describes the awful truth that Jesus was completely forsaken by God, and that He was despised and rejected by the very people He came to save.

A WORM – Speaks of His HUMILIATION

Jesus was derided and despised by the very people He created.
He came to His own and they received Him not.

In His HUMILIATION, His judgment was taken away.

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together,” saith the Lord: “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” KJV

Scarlet or Crimson is a colour that was highly prized as a symbol of wealth and position, but its brilliance symbolized Israel’s glaring sin against God.
The Scarlet Worm is a small insect, the female of which clings to a tree and feeds on it. She dies covering her eggs with her body for protection.
As the mother Crimson worm dies, she oozes a crimson or scarlet red dye which not only stains the wood she is attached to, but also her young, and they keep this colour for the rest of their lives.
Three days after she dies, the carcass of the scarlet worm becomes white and waxen and falls off the wood like a snowflake!

How beautiful this blends in with what Isaiah tells us!
So, let us connect the dots of this amazing truth.
All those who have put their trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are covered by His Body and marked by His precious Blood!

1 Corinthians 11:24

Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you… KJV

By doing this, ALL believers are marked forever with the crimson stain of His Blood and His victory at the Cross.

Even though our sins may be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.

All this and much more are not because of anything we have done, but by what He has done!

How beautiful the Word of God is, from cover to cover and throughout, all points to the Saviour.

For Satan and men, the throne is a goal, both wanting to be on top.
For Christ, it was a destiny.
What they grasped for, He let go.
Their behaviour was the opposite of His.
Their desires were the opposite of His.
Their hatred was the opposite of His love.
They hated Him without a cause.
And yet, despite all this, Jesus chose to come down so that we might go up.

All praise be to His Holy Name!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 19 August, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

As far back as 1787, the great historian Edward Gibbon (born 27 April 1737) listed five reasons for the fall of the mighty Roman Empire. I was a little surprised when I read his list because it reminded me of the world we live in today!

It is a remarkable forecast of present-day conditions. Some argue that history does not repeat itself, well I am going to disagree and say it does, and that there is nothing new under the sun.

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Edward Gibbon’s reasons for the fall were:

The undermining of the home, parental guidance and the downgrading of the vital importance of Motherhood which together are the basis of human society.
Ever-increasing taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and entertainments for the people.
The mad craze for pleasure and sports which, year on year, are becoming more riotous and brutal.
The building of gigantic armed forces and ever more sophisticated armaments, when the real enemy was the decadence of the people.
The decay of religion with real faith fading into mere formalism and rituals, losing touch with life and being impotent to guide the people.

This is a pretty accurate description of the world in which we live today.

The sanctity of marriage has all but disappeared.
Sadly, man has ignored God’s commands and introduced perversions of his own, with same-sex marriages and even non-religious ceremonies taking place everywhere.
Family units breaking up are at an all-time high with children caught up in the middle of relationships that have turned sour because of a lack of spiritual commitment and Godly behaviour.
Mothers are forced to go to work to make ends meet and children are left in the care of others during those very important growing up years.

Every day we read of our taxes being wasted on needless projects which end up being scrapped, leaving behind a vacuum of competent leadership qualities and wealthy consultants laughing all the way to the bank.
A recent report showed that £19,000 was spent by Cotswold District Council on hiring a motivational magician to boost staff morale.
If that wasn’t enough, Stoke-on-Trent Council spent £330,000 on redundancy packages, only to re-hire 25 members of staff! I am not sure what we as ‘Joe Public’ are supposed to think when we learn that footballers earn upwards of £150,000 per week!
Most of us don’t even see that amount in 10 years let alone in 1 week!

The amount of money spent on the military and machines to kill other people is staggering, with every country spending enormous sums of tax-payer’s money to protect themselves.

To illustrate this insanity, there was a recent news bulletin which informed us of the refurbishment costs for an aircraft carrier, which ran into many millions, and in the next breath the Government was announcing the closure of five old age homes because there were insufficient funds to keep them open.

The last point made by Mr Edward Gibbon is very sad indeed, because man has seen fit to consign God to the scrap heap. He has taken God’s greatest and most precious gift and trampled all over it, loudly announcing that he will not have ‘That Man’ to rule over him.

Does this ring any bells? It should do because over 2000 years ago man did exactly the same. They took God’s only Son and nailed Him to a Cross and watched Him die!
Today, hardly anyone cares about what Jesus had to endure for us, and to top it all they don’t even want to listen to what He has to say.
Some have said that if Jesus were alive today – He would be crucified all over again!

There is indeed nothing new under the sun.

There is an urgent need to spread the Gospel and to tell others of the sacrifice Jesus made.

Have we done so?
Have we used the time we have left to spread the good news?
Have we given thought to exactly what we use our daily schedule for?

There are so many people utterly bewildered by what is going on in this world, lurching from one disastrous event to another, living day by day with no real hope and no real peace.
And yet, we have the answer!
We have the solution!
The remedy is Jesus Christ, and we know this!
How do we know this?
We know this because He told us so!
This is what He said:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Come to Me! – three little words that mean so much!
He said these words over 2 thousand years ago, and in 2021 He is repeating them!

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 22 July, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

– THINGS TO DO –

LET THE WORD DWELL RICHLY
KEEP THE WORD TENACIOUSLY
CONTINUE IN THE WORD UNTIRINGLY
LIVE OUT THE WORD FAITHFULLY
HOLD FORTH THE WORD BOLDLY

Most people have a THINGS TO DO list to remind them to do something.
It could be to buy something, take something or even to visit someone.
Our THINGS TO DO list is glued to our fridge door, and its there to remind me to do things.
It is a reminder to remind me to:

Firstly, to look at the list
Secondly, to comprehend what is written on the list
And thirdly to act – and to do something!

Well the THINGS TO DO list we are looking at today is no different WE ARE TO:

Let the Word of God dwell in us richly. Colossians 3:16.
Keep the Word of God tenaciously. John 17:6.
Continue in the Word of God untiringly. John 8:31-32.
Live out the Word of God faithfully. 2 Corinthians 3:3.
Hold forth the Word of God boldly. Philippians 2:16.

We are to let the Word of God dwell in us richly. Colossians 3:16

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 (KJV)

Let the Word (spoken by) Christ (the Messiah) have its home (in your hearts and minds) and dwell in you in (all its) richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom (in spiritual things, and as you sing) psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with (His) grace in your hearts. (The Amplified Bible)

Have you noticed that there are 3 sections to this verse?

1. 1. 1. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
    2. In all wisdom
    3. Singing with grace

As we saturate our hearts and minds with His Holy Word and seek to walk in obedience to it.

Then the Word of Christ is really at home in our hearts.

When we do all of this the Word of Christ dwells in us!
We cannot know His Word unless we read it! This is such a simple statement, yet its implications are ignored on a daily basis.
We cannot really know His Word unless we study it and meditate on it.
We need to read and study the Word of God, which means effort on our part.

We are to meditate on it and think about what we have been studying.

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

The word ‘LET’ implies choice.
You have a choice and it’s your choice.

The word DWELL implies a resting place.
That resting place is in you.
The word RICHLY implies value.
It has a value; it has a price and it will reward.
The word WISDOM implies knowledge, wise knowledge.
There is so much knowledge in the world today, but sadly it is mostly lacking in wisdom.
Wisdom and knowledge are TREASURES.

They are things of great value!

Look at what the Bible says:

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

We are to keep the Word of God tenaciously. John 17:6

I have manifested Thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept Thy word.

The dictionary defines tenaciously as:
Holding on, clinging to, firmly, persistently, resolutely and stubbornly.
This is a description of how the disciples lived their lives, and so should we.
The disciples had been given to the Son out of the world.
They were separated from the rest of the unbelieving world and set apart to belong to Christ.
God had chosen them to be set apart and to be given to our Saviour.
What a wonderful thought!

And they obeyed and kept His word!

Someone has put it like this:

The Disciples held tight, held fast and clung to with Spiritual grit!

We are to continue in the Word of God untiringly. John 8:31-32

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (KJV)

So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, if you abide in My Word (hold fast to my teachings and live in accordance with them), you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free. (Amplified Bible)

We are not to tire, we MUST continue in His Word.
In V31 Jesus makes a distinction between those who are disciples and those who are not.
Those who are genuine and those who pay lip service only.
The word abide has many meanings and the ones which fit this verse are:

To wait patiently, to remain, to continue, to endure, to dwell, to stay put and to rest satisfied.

Abiding in the Word is the only thing that will sustain us.

The things of earth grow strangely dim as we bask in His Glory and Grace.
We are to continue in the Word of God untiringly.

We are to live out the Word of God faithfully. 2 Corinthians 3:3

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (KJV)

You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (Amplified Bible)

It was common in those days for travelling preachers and teachers to have letters of commendation to hand to other churches.
These customs allowed believers to be certain that the clergymen were of an acceptable standing and to receive them without concern.

In V2: Paul is saying: Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.

In other words, they were known as his converts by general knowledge, far and wide, by all men, and that they were known more particularly by reflecting the Word of God in their very lives and daily actions.
They were living out the Word faithfully and so should we!
We must never forget that the ONLY religious books the world reads are the lives of born again Christians!
Our lives should be open books for all to see and read.

Why? I hear you ask.

Because we as believers, are being employed by God and that our lives form the language in which He addresses the unsaved!
That’s why!
Jesus is the writer and we are the bearers of what is written, and what is written is not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on our hearts.
In other words – US!
We are to live out the Word of God faithfully.

We are to hold forth the Word of God boldly. Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the Word of Life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. (KJV)

Holding out to it and offering to all men the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labour to no purpose. (Amplified Bible)

Holding ‘forth’ means ‘holding fast’.
We are to HOLD FAST and hold it BOLDLY.
Can we say we do this?
Because of what Christ did on the Cross of Calvary – we can now BOLDLY enter into the presence of God.
Not only are we to shine as lights, but we are to witness to those not saved.

And because of this we have a twofold testimony:

A testimony of Life
A testimony of the Lips

The work of God in a man – is the man!
The work of God in a woman – is the woman!

There is a bridge to cross if we are to enjoy The Word of God.
It takes discipline and patience and a determined effort on the part of the believer to prayerfully study and meditate on the Holy Scriptures.
There is much joy in the lives of those who spend time getting to know the Saviour.
Make much of Him and He will make much of you.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 22 July, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR

Deuteronomy 1:2 There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.

It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.
Kadeshbarnea was an oasis along the Egyptian-Israeli border where Moses and the Israelites probably spent much of their 40 years wandering in the wilderness waiting for God to allow them into the Promised Land.
Their wanderings were God’s punishment for their sin of disobedience, and instead of 11 days of walking, they had 40 years of wandering.

Israel was in a state of constant questioning and complaining. They looked back on their days of slavery, forgetting how harshly they were treated, and concentrated on the fact that although they had to work as slaves, they at least had food and shelter.
Nevertheless, they are an example to us of what we should not be, instead of what we should be.

Daily they saw the power of God but not the God of power.
They ignored the great store of God’s abounding blessings and daily miracles together with the eternal truths and inward satisfaction from walking and communing with their Creator.
There was no trust in God, therefore there was no triumph either.
No matter how much God did for them they grumbled and complained.
They fell in the wilderness.
They died in the wilderness and failed to inherit the promises of God.
They were so close and yet so far.

In 1 Corinthians 10 – we read of warnings from Israel’s past
v6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
Yes, they were our examples of how not to live, walk and talk!
Christ is our example and we should follow in His footsteps.
He is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls and no desert can keep Him from leading us in green pastures and beside still waters, for He loves us and is the Creator and upholder of all things.

Our entry into His love and care requires a walk of faith not a walk of sight.
If your faith is weak you may tremble while you trust, BUT don’t stop trusting or you will turn.
Remember the best cure for trembling knees is to kneel on them.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 22 July, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

ASSUMPTIONS – THAT’S ALL IT IS!

Listening in on other people’s conversations can be very interesting, but it can also bring with it a host of problems and raise many questions such as:

Did I hear correctly?
Have I listened to the conversation from the beginning?
Did I miss anything?
Did I understand the context?
Should I have been listening in the first place?

Our story begins with a man called Bob Brown who is on his deathbed and knows that he does not have long to go on this earth.

He is lying in a hospital bed surrounded by his nurse, his wife, his two daughters and his son and he asks for two additional people to be present as witnesses.

He specifically requests that one of them have a video recorder to enable him to place on record his final wishes.

Once all have assembled and the recorder is functioning, he begins to speak:

To my son Robert, I want you to take the Mayfair houses. To my first daughter, I want you to take the apartments over in the East End. To my second daughter, I want you to take over the office blocks near the city centre. And finally, to my dear wife, I want you to take over all the residential buildings on the banks of the river.

The nurse and witnesses are astounded as they did not realise that Bob had such extensive holdings and as Bob slipped away into eternity, the nurse says:

Mrs Brown, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property.

To which his wife replied: Property? There’s no property, he had a paper round!

I have chosen the heading of today’s article deliberately because there are a great many people who assume that there is no place called Hell, and if there was such a place, it would be the final resting place of mass murderers, rapists, and child abusers and definitely NOT a place for ordinary people who do not harm others, who give to charities and try their level best to live decently.

I know of one man who states quite categorically that he has always been a Christian.

That he has never got drunk, that he has never stolen anything or deliberately harmed anyone, and he is quite adamant that his life and the way he has lived it, will be looked upon favourably by God.

Does this ring any bells? I’m sure it does.

The fact that there has never. ever been anyone who has ‘always’ been a Christian, does not seem to worry him in the slightest, when it should!

In fact, alarm bells should be ringing loud and clear!

The assumption that God would look approvingly on our efforts to live a clean life without an acknowledgement of sin and true repentance is the height of folly, because it completely ignores what Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary!

The assumption that God, (if there is one!) would send people to Hell is mocked and ridiculed the world over.

When asked how it is that they have reached this conclusion, the answers and suppositions are ridiculous in the extreme, simply because they do not accept the Scriptures as the final authority in these matters.

They have no solid evidence other than their own opinions and emotions, which as we all know, can and do, change like the wind.

Sadly, though what they fail to recognise is that if they do not wish to have God around them in life, they will certainly not have Him around in eternity, because by then it will be too late.

One of the world’s greatest scientists Michael Faraday, on his deathbed, said:

Assumptions! I know nothing of assumptions, I am resting on certainties. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12

Jesus said: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

May this coming week be one of stark realisation that we are surrounded by friends and colleagues who have no certainty of where they will spend eternity.

Let us purpose in our hearts to do something about it.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 22 July, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

HE HAD TO ENDURE THE WORST TO GIVE HIS ALL

But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

The value of a thing depends on its: • Desirability • Dependability. • Durability.

If anyone had the right to teach on relative values between this life and the next, it was the Lord Jesus Christ.

He had everything Heaven could offer, and He LEFT it.
He could have had everything Earth could offer, but He REFUSED it.
He, to save enemies, sinners and weaklings, had to endure the worst that Hell could offer, and He ACCEPTED it!

That He was willing to:

Come so far, tells me of the Love of Christ.
Pay such a price, tells me of the Compassion of Christ.
Give His life to save my soul, tells me of the Values and Estimates of Christ.

He gave His all that we might be bound back to the Father.
We must now give our all and worship Him as He deserves to be worshipped.
We were of such high value that God gave His most precious gift, His only Son, to die for us.
What He thought of us determined His destiny, and what we think of Him will determine our destiny.

FRAGMENTS FROM THE MASTER’S TABLE

Posted on 28 March, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

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

Posted on 26 March, 20211 January, 2023 by Jon

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

Posted on 26 March, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

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:

contusions – blows
lacerations – scourging
penetrating wounds – the crown of thorns
perforating wounds – the nails
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

Posted on 26 March, 20214 January, 2022 by Jon

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:

LOVE
JOY
PEACE
LONG-SUFFERING
GENTLENESS
GOODNESS
FAITH
MEEKNESS
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)