Jeremiah

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  "...... For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   ....."

The Jews were in Babylonian exile for 70 years.  Not only did Jeremiah deliver the Lord's message that the defeat and exile would take place, in all it's harshness, but also that the Lord's heart was for a constant personal relationship with his people.  Jeremiah as the messenger was placed up against a rebellious people who did not believe the messages he delivered.  

It would seem that today, messengers who speak about the decline of mercy, grace, peace, love, and mostly obedience to biblical principles, are treated with the same attitudes inflicted on Jeremiah.

Just imagine if Jeremiah was to deliver his message to the leaders of your, or my, country. 

Rest

Rest is an important part of our physical life, so our spent energy can be restored. This Easter period has been an oasis in the middle of some busy times. Time to stop and rest a while. This has been a time of physical refreshment, and rejuvenation.

The same applies to our Spiritual life. As we reflect on the amazing gift of life given at an enormous cost of our Saviour’s life. We then celebrate our Saviour’s resurrection from that death, and we are refreshed deep within.

To often we enjoy the acclaim of the crowd, our peers, etc. and fail to achieve the rest so needed for our physical and spiritual lives to be refreshed. It takes courage and strength to step into a restful environment. Jesus set an example for us all.



Matthew 8:18 (NIV)

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.

Royal Cave

The ‘Royal Cave’ at Buchan, Victoria, Australia.


Romans 1:20 (NIV)

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

I Was Only Nineteen

Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunyal.
The sixth battalion was the next to tour and it was me who drew the card.
We did Canungra and Shoalwater before we left.
And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay.
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean.
And there’s me in my slouch hat with my S. L. R. and greens.
God help me, I was only nineteen.

5th Chorus
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can’t get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what’s this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

J. Schumann, the singer, songwriter, penned these words and performed the song ‘I Was Only Nineteen’ in relation to the Vietnam War conflict where young Australians were involved.

Through the years I have spent some time with Veterans of conflicts, and the J. Schumann song is closer to reality than the advertisements on the TV for young people to join the Armed Forces as a carreer.



Matthew 26:52 (NIV)
Put your sword back in its place, Jesus said to him, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Obedience

Ezekiel 37:10 (NIV)
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army.

Walk on the Wild Side.

Take a walk on the wild side!

The Scriptures are full of walks on the wild side. Just follow Elisha, as he walks along with the Prophet Elijah. Elijah, will soon be taken away, and Elisha will not leave his side until the mantle passed to him. Even though the other Prophets acknowledge that Elijah would soon depart, Elisha’s course was set before him. Elisha desired the Lord’s blessing that sustained Elijah, would flow to him. He would walk on the wild side, to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

With Pentecost very near, take a walk on the wild side!!!



2 Kings 2:2-3 (NIV)
Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."

Gethsemane

The Garden of Gethsemane is a focal point leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Within the garden is the Church of All Nations. This Church has ornate wrought iron work in the form of a vine around the altar, and the purple window glassing allows the impression of evening. The Church of All Nations is a wonderful place to meditate and pray.


Matthew 26:36 (NIV)
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

War & Peace

Is it true, that in the First World War, the opposing sides got out of their trenches and sang Christmas Carols together?

Is it true, that comrade Soldiers were ordered to execute their brothers, who stopped warring?






Luke 2:14 (NIV)

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

Weapons

In 1978, I was privileged to hear a man speaking about the correlation between industrialisation and military arms. All that he said on that occasion, which related to directions in history, and the years in the future, have been fulfilled as described. There are still aspects that are not yet fulfilled, as he described.

Throughout history mankind has not learnt to live with his neighbour in peace.



2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Faith

There is an old saying that says, ‘seeing is believing’. On the other hand, I have heard it said, ‘I’ve seen it, but I don’t believe it’.
There are times when we want to see as an aid to faith, only to find that it is an obstacle to that same faith desire. Faith is really an important aspect of a believer’s life. Rather than a passiveness, faith is active in perusing and grasping God’s will for our lives.

Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

The Church

The Church is made up of some interesting people who are able to do amazing things where God has appointed, and equipped them. This is pattern and plan that is set in place by God himself. Each person doing there appointed tasks, which are supporting each other, and being supported by others. This is not just a denominational process, but as Jesus wrote to the seven churches in Revelation, the Church in a City is also meant to reflect this common support through the display of God’s gifting.

Sadly there are those who see themselves as “the religious police” rather than ambassadors of grace.


1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NIV)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Perspective

As we are living in a world of constant change we have to be adaptable to each scenario that presents. Over the past few weeks the world has changed in many ways, none more critically than in the world’s financial fragility. Just a few people, and institutions have created a financial climate that has the Governments of most Countries trying to support the average citizen from a major financial calamity.




Revelation 3:17 (NIV)
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

WARRIOR

‘Fighting is hard work, whatever sort of fighting it is. You cannot fight without wounds of body, heart, or soul.’ ~ Mrs. Booth

‘Lastly,’ said The General in a beautiful tribute to our Army Mother, ‘she was a warrior. She liked the fight. She was not one who said to others, “Go,” but “Here, let me go;” and when there was the necessity she said, “I will go!” I never knew her to flinch until her poor body compelled her to lay aside.’

Our Army Mother was, indeed, before all things a warrior; she fought bravely and unceasingly her whole life through.


In thought and purpose she was independent, and dared to stand out for what she felt right. Cowardice, in her opinion, was one of the commonest and most subtle sins of the day, and she had no patience with those who dared not say ‘No,’ and feared to stand alone.

(Catherine Booth, A Sketch ~ Brigadier Duff)




Isaiah 42:13 (NIV)
The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.

New Thing

We have been encouraged by our leaders to do new things to reach people for Christ. The emphasis is that it is the new ventures that are proving to be areas of growth as connections are made with people we previously had no contact with.

There are many aspects to new things. I do wonder if we are available for God to do a new thing in our lives. The influences of our Communities have been ruling God’s people, instead of the other way around. We have newspapers and magazine in our homes that are crammed with articles and processes that are in opposition to clear Biblical standards. We talk about peace, but many of our people are willing to use violence to obtain what they think is peace. It would be easy to continue in this vain, however that is only partially helpful.

Changing our focus onto what God wants and requires of us as His servants, will be a more productive way to fulfil our mission to transform society. The ability to be quiet, listen, and observe our world, may be a good place to begin.



Isaiah 43:18-19 (MSG)
"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.

Walk!

The call for all believers today is to walk this world, worthy of the call of God on your lives. The main objective is to live a life of holiness, in a world whose operating manual is not, the Holy Bible.



Psalms 116:8-9 (NIV)
For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Open Book

Gracious Father, through the ministry of your Holy Spirit help my life to be an open book, before you and the world. That others my read and observe your love and compassion through my life. Amen


Romans 2:12-16 (NIV)
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Trust in the Lord

The Word of God is powerfully accurate!

As I observe the destructiveness displayed in the lives of people today, it seems to be a tightening spiral of a world almost ready to implode.

Psalms 36:2 (NIV)
For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.

The remedy is expressed!

Psalms 37:3-7 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Prophets

Jeremiah 23:18 (NIV)
But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word?

Jeremiah 23:22 (NIV)
But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.


It is time for the Prophets to be accountable to God.

Psalm 2 ~ Meditation

Psalms 2:1-12 (NIV)
1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

Why indeed? Not only Israel with it’s rich history of deliverance by God’s direct intervention, but all other nations to today, continue to abandon the Divine Plan.

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

Who is the King? Saul, David, or Jesus?
God’s anointed is the King!

7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

A response from the King, “Ask of me.”
Are the Nations to be ruled by His subjects, when the earth is restored?

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Blessed are His people!
Are these the people whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of life? Revelation 20:15 (NIV)
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Evaluate

How do you see your fellow humans?
What are the criteria you use for evaluating people?

We can see people as those who have more than us financially. Or possibly having more acceptable looks, or stature than us. Perhaps even a better quality of employment. This would have us following the ideas of perfection that the media industry, perpetrate on an unsuspecting public each day. So it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that the information packed ideas are the truth.

Psalm 1:5 (KJV)
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

The criteria the God uses, is simply those who have a personal relationship with Him, and those who do not. This is truly a case of the haves and the have nots, but on a spiritual scale.