By What Authority!

The confusion caused by so many choices is evident from the supermarket to the religious scene. In matters of faith religions clamour for your attention and allegiance. How can you know the genuine from the fraudulent? Not by the wrapper. Seek out the author, creator and the guarantor of the matter.

Christians believe the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, are their authority and framework for their faith. Such convictions arise out of an understanding of its history, its integrity and survival of every attempt to destroy, discredit and deny its authenticity.  Disciples of Christ Jesus call Him Lord and Saviour because of the cross and resurrection! He accepted the inspiration of the Old Testament by such a statement as Matthew 5:18: ‘truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.’ Christians say yes to that also!

When some followers of Jesus couldn’t handle some of Jesus’ teaching they dropped out. Jesus asked the twelve what was their intention. Peter’s reply underscore’s his conviction of the Lord’s authority and the power of His words. ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.’ (John 6:68-69).

Why is the Bible so important?

Many reasons can be forthcoming ranging from historical accounts of former nations and events to prophetic insights, especially concerning Christ Jesus. There are warnings and blessings associated with matters of faith, morality and worship we ignore at our discomfort. Below are some quotes made within its pages proclaiming its authority and thereby claiming the right for Humankind’s allegiance! There is no other book stressing the basis on which we can have confidence in the source and accuracy regarding its authority.

‘I (the Lord God) foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass… You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. Isaiah 48:3, 6-7. 

Do you want to understand the future? Do you want to be prepared for the unpleasant, the unwanted, the unexpected and safeguard your faith, family and future? Read God’s word, especially the prophets and the Revelation.

Why is the Bible so relevant to daily living?

‘The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.’ Psalm 19:7-11.

Why is the Bible so powerful?

‘You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God…the word of the Lord endures forever.’ 1 Peter 1:23-25

Therefore, in the light of what I’ve read I resolve to feed my heart and mind more diligently with the nourishment of God’s word. It is powerful because it reveals the Eternal God. It is powerful because it is Truth. It is powerful because it takes a person out of moral and spiritual death and gives him/her life and that life is linked to and from Jesus.

My Dark Night.

My dark Night!

I was rushed to hospital and on life support. By God's good grace and excellent medical surgery I came through that 'night'. It would be another four months before being discharged. I am now on long term rehabilitation.
Below is a part of my experiences 

I woke filled with fright.

It was night.

The room touched by sickly light.

Then I heard,

“Nurse!” 

My night began in Hobart hospital.

To sleep soundly was ‘mission impossible.’

Besieged by doubt

My heart shouted out,

“Why am I here?”

“Where is here?”

Later this I learnt,

My trip to St. Luke’s hospital earnt

An emergency trip

In an ambulance on a drip. 

The blood clot in my leg

Was intent upon leaving me dead!

 In the darkness I struggled to pray.

What words? Impossible to say.

But no sense of the Lord was felt.

I was weak, my soul began to melt.

Insinuations intruded.

Whispers of unbelief invaded.

Your cries are not heard"
Your Master hasn’t stirred

To help you win the fight!”

Despair sought to undermine

My trust at this dark time.

Then, God’s word came to mind. 

To His disciples  Christ gave His word

“I will never leave you” is what they heard.

In this assurance they did face,

Opposition, death and disgrace.

And by His promise faced hostility

With faith, hope, love and humility.

Why then in my night of difficulty

Should I yield to unbelief’s slander?

Or to its corrosive thoughts pander?

Never!

Jesus promised to be with me!

In my soul’s night this is my light:

In the shadows He’s holding me tight!

 

©Ray Hawkins March 2019.

Outlined in RHH. completed at home.

I want to break free

Port Arthur, Tasmania, convict era prison complex.

The music group Queen had a very popular song “I want to break free.” It expresses what many desire and few attain. To break free, as some have found, can cause more frustration, uncertainty and tears than their previous state. According to Jesus, to be free demands a special realm, a deliberate commitment and constant attention. He said that Truth will set you free! He claimed to be that realm when saying “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” in John 14:6. Therefore, it’s only in a committed faith relationship to and with Jesus that a person begins to understand what freedom is.

Why then the need for giving your faith relationship with Jesus constant attention? Because there are moral and spiritual forces opposed to Christ Jesus and His lifestyle for His followers. It is also necessary because something within our human nature has a sneaky way of abusing the grace of God and spoiling freedom’s realm. The wonder of our Lord’s mercy to us is the risk He takes for us to learn to live, learn and love in Freedom’s domain. By the ministry of the Holy Spirit we are led into a deeper and refining relationship with the Saviour. In walking in Truth according to His word we discover things about ourselves which needs forgiving, cleansing, refining, restoring, undertaking and achieving.

If only each of us was given the leisure and the peace to come to grips with all of the above. Each area is challenged by people and events, some good, some not good at all, meaning we need to know the Truth, apply the Truth, be guarded by the Truth. For this to be an ongoing reality requires the individual to take seriously Jesus’ direction as to where Truth resides. “Your word is Truth” Jesus declared in His prayer to God the Father (John 17:17). It is God’s Word which informs us of our need and points us to where that need is answered. However, we are required to correctly apply the Truth and not to dilute it or add our ‘ingredients and prejudices’ to it. Within the letters of the New Testament the writers, Paul, John, Peter, Jude, confront the ‘merchants of prejudice, poison and perversity.’

In the next couple of weeks we will endeavour to check out those who seek to rob a man or woman of his and her freedom in Christ. Some are well meaning. Some have evil intent. Some are simply naïve or ignorant of God word, grace and patience. Just briefly for today I would like to point out those who, in Paul’s words, want to put you back into bondage (Galatians 2:4). What he was furious about was the insidious way in which those who believed all should live under the Mosaic Law led people into error. They were trying to make Gentile believers in Christ surrender their freedom and to take upon themselves the yoke of the Law. That wasn’t merely the 10 Commandments but included the ceremonies, the judgements and statutes set out in Leviticus, Exodus and Deuteronomy.

The Law isn’t dead. But when we commit our lives to Christ Jesus we share in His death.

According to Romans 7:4 -7 we are dead to the Law and delivered from it. Does that mean we can do what we please? Hardly! For we have placed ourselves under the authority of Christ and receive His power to know and do His will. Another important passage has to deal with Christ as our High Priest. Those who place themselves under the bondage of the Law unconsciously (I believe) place themselves under the Aaronic Priesthood. In Hebrews 7:12 when Christ is our High Priest we experience a change of the Law. It is the realm of Grace and Truth, a much more liberating and at the same time very demanding realm. For in it we must ever be vigilant and assessing our inner and outer life under the searchlight of the Truth! Peter sums up the challenge in 2 Peter 3:18. We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. The Law may have led us to Christ (Galatians 4) but having done its work we enter a new realm of knowing Christ as the Truth and thereby being set free!

More next week.

©Ray Hawkins March 26^th2017.

The Effort of the Shepherd.

Kylemore in Ireland

I wonder to whom David was speaking when he speaks about the Shepherd Lord in the third person. When David says ‘He makes me lie down’ is reads like it caused the Shepherd some effort as the sheep resisted. This is almost a confession of a hyperactive personality needing the Lord to intervene. There would be some reading this or the psalm that would nod in understanding of what the Lord did or might have to do. Why is this? Because sheep seem to have a silly, stubborn, wandering nature which is applicable to men and women in the Lord’s sheepfold.

What David alluded to we don’t really know. However, we can get some ideas from the life of the apostle Paul. He was a dynamo for preaching the Gospel, writing letters, debating, getting assaulted, ship wrecked and doing a lot of walking and talking. When you read the book of Acts in the New Testament Paul spent time in prisons. Would it be fair to say the Lord, his Shepherd, was making him lie down?

How then could we honestly equate a prison cell or home detention as ‘green pasture?’ One thing would be sure, there wouldn’t be much running or turbulent water in the place. The psalmist in this verse is contrasting the everyday experience of a sheep in Israel. The grass was sparse and needed constant searching if it was to have a good meal. The shepherd would know when it was time to give the sheep in his care a bit of a treat. He would take them to such a spot indicated by the writer. Would it be similar to an Australian billabong? That’s where fresh water ‘sits’ and is easy to access. For Paul in prison his cell was a place of stillness. Would he take heart from a psalm which talks about being still and knowing God? Psalm 46:10.

Being in such green pastures and beside still waters sounds idyllic. For a man or woman with a sense of mission, with restless energy to accomplish a calling, it can wear thin after a while. Paul, I think, would have gone mad in jail if he couldn’t share his faith. Prayer, devotion and reading parchments and books is well and good. But, they must have outlets! As you read the accounts in Acts and his letters you realise there were numerous opportunities for this man, beside the ‘still waters.’ In Caesarea the Governor dropped by seemingly regular. Paul was presented before King Agrippa to state his case. In Rome, under house arrest, he somehow met and led to the Lord a runaway slave called Onesimus. (Read the letter to Philemon). Paul was a driven man refreshed by God’s turning a place of ignominy and shame into green pastures. Through him, the Lord was able to share with otherwise untouchables the ‘Living Water’ of the Holy Spirit. In that place he also was able to meet and discuss with the Jewish leaders of Rome. (Acts 28) Later under guard and chained to Roman soldiers Paul had a captive audience. Some of these battle hardened and cruel men became Christians. Philippians 1:12-14 reveals that fact.

Reading Paul’s journey’s we can see that his Shepherd led him along many a hard track. It is also apparent the apostle wasn’t always sure just where the Lord was taking him. Paul had his way blocked here, intersected there and on another occasion had a dream which led him to Philippi. How true that is of us. We might have some ideas as to where the Lord intends us to be but the road isn’t always direct. The call of the Lord is to “Follow me.” That includes taking up a personal cross of obedience and trust. It often has a high price attached to personal ambition and expectations. However, as in the psalm and as displayed in Paul’s life, the Lord takes His followers into green pasture (some surprisingly unattractive at the first glance). Then He causes us to drink the still, the cool and clear water of His grace. Remember what the Lord said to His disciples? They had to draw aside and rest awhile before beginning any new work.

What is the purpose of all this? To restore the disciples life. It may include restoring a believer’s faith, health, priority or testimony. Being restored he can be led again to walk in the right paths with renewed enthusiasm.

To be continued.

©Ray Hawkins February 2016.

Healing: False guilt, Faith, and the Cross.

Guilt is able to be pardoned and atoned for. False guilt is another matter. It is that emotion of being told you have failed in some area over which you had no control. It is seen in some children of divorced parents. They have a sense of guilt that they caused the problem.  This is so untrue, yet when believed has tragic consequences, for they are haunted by such ‘ghosts’ most of their lives. Because there is nothing tangible to seek forgiveness about or make atonement over it cannot be remedied, Well, almost nothing. Knowing and taking to heart the truth that they are not to blame can evaporate the ‘ghosts’ over time.  

This also applies to sickness and healing. A false viewpoint by a person as to why he or she hasn’t been healed can strangle a Christian’s spirituality. They try and mask it in many ways with church attendance, prayer and good works. Still, their doctrine haunts and the Devil sprays his doubts about as to their spirituality.

Peter, in his first letter says, ‘Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from our sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed’ (1 Peter 2:24). This verse is used by certain groups to insist followers of Christ should not be sick or infirm. The reason for such conditions is placed strictly down to the individual’s lack of faith. What does such a doctrine produce? False guilt! What effects does it have? A loss of Joy, thinking of oneself as being second rate and trying all types of spiritual exercises to manufacture ‘faith.’

How then can this be remedied? Being a doctrinal matter it can only really be corrected by a proper understanding of the doctrine of healing. This has been the motivation and background to the previous studies. As the verse in Peter is used to promote all-inclusive healing (body, soul and spirit) we must examine it. What does he mean by healing? Can it be understood by the word ‘righteousness’ in verse 24 and in verse 25 ‘astray’ and ‘returned.’ ‘For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.’ The Bible insists that there is no one who is righteous, except Jesus the sinless one. It is by His achievements on the cross that Jesus dealt with our unrighteousness. Our going astray, wandering purposely or aimlessly in our own egos, made God irrelevant. That was until the Holy Spirit grabbed our attention and pointed us to the cross. Here began our return to the Sovereign Lord.

Both those verses by Peter are traced back to Isaiah chapter 53. If you have read the previous studies you will realise this is God’s specific answer to Isaiah chapter 1. There, the whole body, that is the Nation of Israel, is sick, diseased, terminal! God’s remedy? The suffering Servant which pointed to Jesus. The health there mentioned is to national redemption, forgiveness, wholeness,  refreshed covenant relationship and mission. It had no specific reference to individual ailments or infirmities.

Peter’s quoting of Isaiah 53 is particularly relevant when you realise the people to whom he was writing. They were Jewish believers in five countries of the nation’s Dispersion. It would appear Peter was explaining to these persecuted believers that they were in fact the first fruits of Isaiah’s prophecy to the Nation. Therefore rejoice despite being maligned, oppressed and rejected!

How then do we consider the indisputable fact of God’s acts of healing? Grace! He is the Sovereign Lord and His ways and purposes are higher, nobler and wiser than what we can conceive. There isn’t any reason why a sick person shouldn’t pray or be prayed for. The attitude that must underpin all prayer is the Gethsemane attitude,  'not my will but yours be done.’ This isn’t a cop-out. It is an act of faith in our Heavenly Father’s goodness, flavoured by a desire that regardless of personal healing or continued illness, infirmity or disability He will be honoured.

Only then will false guilt, brought on by a misunderstood or misapplied passage be ‘evaporated’ by the Truth of God’s word. Oh the joy of a conscience at peace and worship without doubt.

©Ray Hawkins Sept 2015.

The Sick Servants in New Testament

In Christendom, healing in some circles is considered part of salvation achieved by Christ at the cross. To suffer illness or infirmity is often considered a blight on your faith or a question about your spirituality. In the three synoptic Gospels Jesus commissions His disciples to ‘go, teach all nations.’ Mark’s account is the only one which contains a commission to cast out devils, speak in new tongues, and when ‘playing’ with snakes not be affected when bitten or by poison and to heal.

Over the years various faith healers (so designated) have emphasised the power of God to heal all types of sicknesses and infirmities. They make it part of the work of Christ on the cross. Is this what the Bible reveals? Reading through the history of the disciples in Acts we find only twelve specific, clear cut healing episodes. There is the healing of the lame man (ch.3) demon possessed, paralysed and lame (ch.8)   Paul’s eyes opened (ch.9) bed ridden with palsy for eight years and raising of Dorcas (ch.9) man born a cripple (ch.14) girl with spirit of divination (ch.16) restoring Eutychus to life (ch.20) and Paul’s encounter with a viper (ch.28).

Throughout Acts the emphasis is on preaching Christ from the Judeo scriptures. The clarion call was ‘It is written.’ Even the healing miracles were opportunities to preach Christ and Calvary’s fulfilment of God’s promises. To turn the pages and look at the letters the apostles and others wrote presents us with some fascinating information. Only 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 talks about the ministry of those with the gift of healing. Greater details are not given and how wide spread such a ministry had isn’t mentioned. The other letter emphasising a healing ministry is from James. How different his words are. It is the privilege and responsibility of church Elders to pray for and anoint the sick. Included in this procedure is congregational prayer and mutual confession. Where were those with the gift of healing?

To play the blame game on the sick, weak and afflicted for not having enough faith is counterproductive. Why? Because you have to put the Apostle Paul into that group.  2 Corinthians 12:7-9 speaks of his thorn in the flesh the Lord wouldn’t remove. In Galatians 4:13-15 he writes about his infirmity, many consider eye problems. (Was this due to the appearance of the Lord on the Road to Damascus? Was it the result of his many thrashings by violent mobs? Did doctor Luke’s accompanying of Paul allow him to be the personal physician to the apostle?)

Within certain letters you come across faithful men who had experienced debilitating sickness, weakness and infirmities. Epaphroditus was without strength and near to death (Philippians 2:26-27). Trophimus was left behind because of his infirmities (2 Timothy 4:20). The advice Timothy received to help him with recurring health problems of the stomach was wine, not water, for medicinal purposes (1 Timothy 15:23). The pages of the New Testament hold more about the sufferings of the believers than the miracles performed on or by them. Consider the pressures under which they lived and served, the frequent persecutions and punishments meted out to them, is it any wonder they knew infirmities, weakness and illness.

The statement of 1 Peter 2:24 concerning the healing offered by the bruises (stripes) of Jesus will be considered next week. It will finish this particular series of studies. Until then I would like to close with the words of the apostle John in his third letter. ‘Beloved, concerning all things I pray you may prosper and be in good health …’

The word for health is where we get our word for hygiene. There are injunctions in the Scripture to holiness in lifestyle and being renewed in your mind. The word John used is mentioned in Luke 15:27, the story of the Prodigal son. After his return and at the party given by the father, the son is described as being ‘safe and sound.’ Undoubtedly, from his previous immorality and rebellion he would have had physical and mental issues. Despite such limitations his father looked upon him and encouraged him into good hygiene. We are all returned prodigals of some description. How good it is to know our Heavenly Father’s intention is for us to enjoy His hygiene permeating our life. His health manual is the Scriptures but we have to open its pages.

©Ray Hawkins September 2015.

Peace: Islam's verses Christ's

“Islam is a religion of peace” is almost a mantra when their representatives are interviewed. Usually it is a defensive smoke screen after some Islamic terror has been perpetrated somewhere around the world. What riles me however, is the failure of the reporter to ask a simple question: “What do you mean by ‘peace?”’

Islam's idea of peace is submission to Mohammed and the Koran as interpreted by their Imams. Trouble is, Islam’s various sects kill each other as they try to impose their style of peace. The religion of Allah will never bring peace simply because his adherents do not know how to be at peace with him. Muslims have no certainty of paradise because they can never determine if they have impressed Allah enough to merit an entrance ticket. Martyrdom is promoted as the sure fire way to get there. What a travesty and waste of a life. Also, from what is seen and promoted, Islam is a religion of externals. To become a Muslim is to repeat a set formula. There is no change of heart, no repentance, no acceptance of forgiveness and no change of lifestyle.

Christianity's promise of peace is commitment to Jesus Christ. Peace is a heart

matter dictated by a relationship of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. If there can be no peace between an individual and God it is virtually impossible for peace between people. How does the Christian faith define peace with God, especially as it reveals Him as holy and us as the exact opposite? How can the unholy have fellowship with the Holy Eternal God? Unless there is an answer a person will live in terror of fronting Him on judgement day.

Peace with our Creator requires some common ground. Can you or I construct such a meeting place by good works, promises and outward ritual? Impossible! Everything we would touch or endeavour would be smeared and tainted by un-holiness. If such a ground was to exist, only God could bring it into reality. Has He done it? YES! How? Where?

The ‘how’ was accomplished by sending His Son, Jesus. His mission, to deal with all that offended the Father within our heart, mind and behaviour. Jesus took our offences and judgement upon Himself and carried them into the tomb. They were left there when He rose again.

The ‘where’ is the cross of Christ at Calvary! Here is the common ground created by God the Father. We stand upon it when we hear the story of Jesus, believe it is real, recognise our desperate need and ask the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. Such a conviction about Jesus Christ providing the common ground allows Him to deal with our heart ‘disease’, our perverted mind and our vain behaviour. Jesus has the power and authority of His risen life and who He is to forgive, cleanse and recreate. He makes us acceptable to His Father. Then, and only then, will you and I or anyone else have peace with God. For He meets us at the cross. In a sense, the risen Lord Jesus takes our hand and the Father’s hand and joins us together. (Read Ephesians chapters one and two plus Colossians chapters one and two.) This is why we affirm the fact that Jesus is our peace.

What has taken place in the life of a convinced and committed believer is internal. He (or she) is at peace with God. That means he (or she) can be at peace with himself (herself). There will be adjustments. There will be new insights to life. There will be the sense of relief at being forgiven and having the conscience cleansed and liberated. There will be a new outlook on life, on eternity, and on relationships. Peace is the gift of God to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

There are many wonderful and powerful acts of God’s grace to us who give our lives by faith to His Son, Jesus. One at the top, to my mind, as we live in uncertain days and experience unsettling circumstance, is peace. It is a promise He gave to the disciples on His way to Calvary. It is also the greeting He gave to them after the resurrection. It is also what Jesus offers to us. “Peace I leave; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

©Ray Hawkins 9:3.2015.

Next week. Living out the peace of God which dwells with.

Let's Blame God!

God gets bad press whenever something upsets us. Whether it is personal sorrow, inflicted by self or others, God is accused as the perpetrator. The catastrophes of war and disease are said to be preventable, if God did something about them.

During the week of February 1^st 2015 Stephen Fry, well known actor and T.V. personality, added his unflattering assessment about God. Given an opportunity to charge the Creator, who Stephen doesn’t believe exists anyway, he would call Him a monster. There is something within the human psyche which doesn’t want to accept personal responsibility for the world’s turmoil. People want God to stop what they don’t like but ignore what they do like doing, despite the fact God is offended by their actions and attitude. Imagine the howls of protest if the Lord God of Holiness enforced His standard of morality as set out in the Bible.

By blaming God for personal issues and the mess the World is in gives people a sense of moral superiority. It makes them judges of what should be and innocent victims when reaping what they have sown. What is also revealed is an ignorance of why the nations, societies and individuals are in such a sorry and warlike state. To reject the very existence of God doesn’t solve the problem. It actually compounds the despair and injustices with hopelessness for wrong can never be righted by a higher entity. To have a sense of God but no framework by which to understand Him (or Her or It) will give rise to all types of weird and not so wonderful images.

The God who seems to be silent and invisible has not left Humankind in the dark about His Being. He has spoken! He has left His imprimatur upon Creation (see below for some references). He has raised up certain scribes through whom He has made His defence for why things are as they are in the World. At the same time this God of holiness and truth has expressed what He requires from each of us and that there is a future accounting. More than that, what has been recorded promises a whole New World Order in which righteousness, truth, grace and love rule. Unfortunately, this means that those who curse God and reject righteousness and truth are denied entrance.

Where can we find the mind of the vocal God and signposts pointing to places where His presence is felt and ‘fingerprints’ are evident? In the 66 books called the Judeo-Christian Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Some may still want to accuse the Author of these books as being out of touch with our human condition. “You don’t understand what I’m facing, feeling or fleeing!” Such thinking is a universe away from reality. Here is the wonder of the invisible God, untouchable by sinful people. He has come into our world and in our form and within world history. The Bible revealed Him as Jesus (Greek translation of the Hebrew Joshua) who lived in Israel under Rome’s occupation. He understands the Human situation more than we can ever realise. Because of that He has set in motion Heavenly forces to usher in new beginnings and a new relationship with God and a hope which stand with you in the darkest of times.

How can anyone be sure of this promise?
Consider who Jesus is, what He has taught but more than that, what He achieved. For when He was crucified this Jesus became the vilest of the vile and the lowest of the low. How? He was cursed by National leaders, forsaken by friends but that wasn’t the issue. Jesus willingly identified with you, me, all creation in our blaming God the Father for our sin, indifference, plight, although Jesus in and of Himself was sinless. In essence Jesus said to the Father “put all their offences on me. Let me bear your Judgement upon them. Use this unjust verdict of the cross to offer forgiveness, hope and a new lifestyle for men and women”.

What a wonderful ideal. How do we know it happened and does the offer still stands? Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Because the good news of His triumph is still being offered and people are being transformed from hopelessness to

godliness and purpose. This doesn’t mean believers in Jesus will be immune from life’s sorrows and uncertainties. What it means is they have an understanding of why the world is a mess and what the Lord has done to change it.

Let Jesus lift you out of the ‘blame game’ and into the ‘acclaim game’ of gratitude to God. For whether the World likes it or not, God will have the last word. Because of faith in Jesus His word will be “welcome”. Reject Jesus as Lord and Saviour and insist on blaming God for ‘whatever’ is to hear the dreadful last word “depart”.

Some Bible readings.

Psalm 19.

Isaiah 53.

Romans 1.

Hebrews 1.

Hebrews 4

©Ray Hawkins February 15 2015

The Despised One - Jesus

It doesn’t look good on His reference folder. In large print it says this Jesus was: Despised, rejected, charged with blasphemy, condemned and crucified. How is it possible for such a character to be worshipped? How could such a condemned man attract legions of men and women to call him Lord and risk everything to serve him? How can it be that his disciples would claim as their ‘banner’ the symbol of shame, torture and death, the cross?

Something must have overturned the negative remarks or at least transformed them. It is this ‘something’ which lifted an obscure Jewish Rabbi from a turbulent period of history into life’s most important and distinctive person!

Entombed, with the Sanhedrin’s seal over the stone door and guarded by a contingent of soldiers, the unimaginable happened. Jesus rose from the dead! The stone rolled; the soldiers fainted, the angels rejoiced and the demons shuddered. The man from Nazareth left His former body, bearer of the sins of the world, in the dust. Now He was exhibiting his new, glorified, imperishable and undefiled body in its radiant power.

Now to hear that is to react with scepticism. What authority exists to offer authenticating support to ‘pour acid’ on doubt and unbelief? I would offer the following: The prophecies of 39 books called the Tenach (also known as the Old Testament); the changed behaviour of the disciples; the failure of the ‘government’ to refute the claims regarding Christ’s resurrection; and the existence of the Church.

From Genesis through to Malachi there is the prophecy that someone was coming. Clues are scattered throughout the books revealing his character, work, suffering, victory, authority and victory. Statements and promises stretched over two thousand years merge into one person. Read psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Psalm 110 for starters. Our celebration of Christmas hangs on the awareness that the Babe of Bethlehem was the promised one. Jesus, in John 5:39 emphasised the importance of the thirty-nine books for they spoke about him.

Those unfamiliar with the Bible tend to imagine it was written by one author. In their minds the book takes on the appearance of a Novel. Even when it is explained to them the 66 books took a period of approximately 2,000 years to compile it fails to compute. Add to such a statement various languages and Middle Eastern countries of origin the uniqueness of the Scriptures can be overwhelming. Can such a majestic book with a central character involved happen by chance? Mathematically it is impossible! Only the oversight of God could guarantee such unity. I also admit I stand in awe of those faithful men and women who are unnamed and unnumbered who copied the manuscripts. This was often done at the risk of their lives.

Another reason for accepting the resurrection of Christ as historical is the change in the disciples. Before the Sunday event they were dispirited, beaten and cowering in an upper–room. Afterwards, they were transformed into heroes of the Faith. These men in particular suffered for their conviction. Everyone (apart from John) were martyred. Their legacy was not in bank balances accumulated or honours bestowed. No their legacy is commitment to the Truth of what was written in the thirty-nine books, verified before their eyes and sealed by Christ’s resurrection. That is why when these men and women preached their opening words seem to have been “It is written!”

The Jewish and Roman Governing authorities had an easy solution to undermining the message of the disciples of Christ. Take the people to the tomb. If, as was declared, some of His followers stole the body, arrest and charge them. To do so would have meant putting the soldiers who were on duty at the time under oath. It would also have revealed the conspiracy of the Sanhedrin to cover up the fact. Can you imagine the political fall–out from such court proceeding. This is why the authorities resorted to threats, banishment, slander and ultimately approval for imprisonment and death.

Why didn’t Jesus simply appear before the National Leaders and prove His resurrection. What seems reasonable at first glance is actually counter–productive. First, they didn’t want to believe. This is shown in their bribing of the soldiers to keep quiet about it. Secondly, for Jesus to have done that would have meant He would need to do it for everyone. The ‘currency’ Jesus requires from a person to become His follower can be ‘paid for’ by those destitute to the unimaginably rich. It’s called ‘Faith’ in the truth of Jesus Christ’s resurrection (Romans 10:8-13).

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Part two follows next week.

Where's God in Life's Storms?

The disciples must have wondered what hit them. One moment they are enjoying sailing on Sea of Galilee, the next rowing for their lives. From out of nowhere the storm had struck. How long they struggled is not mentioned

however it must have been an extended period of time. Did they wonder, ‘where was their Lord when they needed Him’? Why hadn’t He come to their aid? He’d been there for them before when they were in similar strife. At that time they woke Him because of their fear. He stilled that storm (Matthew 8:23–28). Where was He in this one?

In everyday Christian living, sudden, unexpected ‘storms’ blow down upon us. These may be theological issues, personality conflicts or financial difficulties, to name just three. Each one is whipped up or made worse by the bad breath of Satan. Our ‘rowing harder’ is usually in the form of increasingly urgent prayers and making promises. In this mix are questions about where in all of this is the Lord?

Prior to the storm Jesus had gone into a mountain for two reasons. One was to get away from an emotional crowd of ‘king makers’ after the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1–3). It was also to pray. Was it also to give space for the disciples to experience another Faith lesson? Being Passover the moon would have been full and Jesus could have seen their struggles. Why didn’t He go immediately to their aid? Only He knows the real reason. We can only surmise. If we are honest with ourselves, similar emotions play in our minds when we face such times.

According to the Scriptures Jesus is our ever present companion. His assurance to never forsake us is intellectually comforting when the going is smooth. The problem comes in the storm. Emotion devours the confidence of faith. The physical swamps the spiritual. We don’t ‘feel’ the closeness of our Lord and Saviour and we wonder ‘where is He?’ It doesn’t mean He has withdrawn from us. It may be He has something of a Faith lesson for us to experience. He is praying for us similar to the prayer He prayed for Peter, ‘I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ (Luke 22:32).

Within our nature there is a perverse streak. It imagines Jesus should be at our beck and call. What an insipid, spineless disciple we would be if Jesus simply allowed us to ‘sail over the mill pond of life to Heaven’s shore?’ Life isn’t like that in this fallen soul saturated playground of the Devil (1 John 5:19). To exercise our call to be trust and follow Christ Jesus means we are to be witnesses unto Him. In turn that means we are to prove Him faithful and his Word true in all of life’s rough and tumble. We must face the natural and the spiritual storms of life by faith, perseverance and a godly attitude. Only then will faith be firm not fanciful.

Why didn’t the rowing disciples abandon the boat? One reason may well be that to do so would find them in greater peril. The only real option was to ‘hang in there’ and see how the Lord would act. Patience and perseverance are different aspects of trust in the goodness of God. The former seems to embrace a waiting in comfort or anxiety. The latter is shrouded in pain and strife, the gritting of the teeth and the steeling of the heart to hold on until God acts. It is an attitude which believes and knows from previous experiences God is good and His promises are reliable.

How strange it is to read the attitude of the disciples when Jesus turned up. Thinking He was a ghost they were terrified. His reassuring words of self disclosure must have calmed their hearts long before they realised the wind and waves had abated. Many of us can undoubtedly identify with the disciples’ confusion and then relief. So often when the Lord acts in our own ‘storms’ we fail to recognise Him. This isn’t because of unbelief or ignorance but from weariness from the struggle to stay ‘afloat.’ After we recover our breath and realise the terror has passed we should bend knee in praise and gratitude.

Reflection: Are there ‘storms’ brewing around me? Am I confident in God’s grace? Do I understand that the Lord is never late to intervene? What we see in His delay is Christ’s way to deepen our faith.

Request: Help me to trust you in the ‘squalls and storms’ of life. Tune my ear to hear your voice and know your peace above the roar of the ‘waves’.

Fools, from a Bible's viewpoint. #1

A stand up comedian in the U.K. has helped establish the godless church. That’s no joke. He is expecting many other such assemblies to spring up in the course of time. He was quoted in ‘My Christian Daily’ as saying: ‘We are born from nothing and go to nothing. Let’s enjoy it together.’

That intrigued me and saddened me at the same time. What have they to celebrate? Nothing! What, apart from ego and trying to prove nothing, can possibly hold a diverse group of people together? Nothing! Will it last? Time will tell.

Looking up my concordance on the subject of ‘fool’ I was informed that in the Old Testament 5 Hebrew words are so translated. In the New Testament the Greek uses four different words. In Psalms 14:1 and 53:1 such people as the comedian are defined as an ‘empty person.’ Why? Because they say there is no God. In what way would the Psalmist consider them ‘empty headed?’

In both psalms the writer contrasts them with those who he sees as wise. The wise are those who seek to find and know the God of Creation and of the people of Israel.

To make mindless chance and at the same time presume billions of years as the creator of the universe is beyond belief. Nothing can only beget nothing. How much greater is the Psalmist’s words from psalm 19:1 ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.’ It is this Creator the Bible reveals. Paul uses a similar argument in Romans 1:18f. The word he uses for such thinkers is ‘moraino’ which means ‘to make foolish.’ It is their lack of a seeking heart and a seeing mind which has emptied their head and made them foolish.

Those who deny the reality of God say ‘Where did He come from, who created Him?’ That doesn’t demolish God’s existence. It merely brings us to the realm of the unknown. The same can be applied to ‘chance’ as the cause of creation. We are brought before the unanswerable. Both are faith matters. By faith the ‘fool’ says ‘Nothing’ created all that there is’ and by faith Christians state ‘it is by the power and word of the Lord God.’ He has also made Himself knowable in His Word and in the person of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

The Psalmist also says such ‘fools’ are very aggressive against God’s people. He implies that these ‘empty headed ones’ want to make null and void the Scriptures God’s people treasure. Why? For it was by the creation of this particular people that God would work with to give us all His word and commandments (check Psalm 147:19–20). His plan of salvation required His Son, the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to come to earth. We call it Christmas which culminated at Easter (Passover) and the resurrection. The ‘fool’ not only rejects both premises they want them banned. This is being pursued in law courts and media especially in Christian countries. In the graphic words of the Psalmist ‘they eat up my people as they eat bread.’

In Psalm 53:5 we are given an insight into the sadness awaiting those who imagine they are on the way to ‘nowhere’ and into ‘nothingness.’ They are actually on a date with the One they don’t believe in. It will not be a picnic. It will be a time of terror and they will be put to shame.’

The Bible is Christ Jesus’ gift to us all so as to prevent any and all from being ‘Empty Headed’ towards Him. What He offers is better than ‘nothing’ it is defined as ‘abundant life’ in time and eternity.

The Christmas Question

A Question from the Magi

There are many mysteries surrounding Christmas. Maybe none more so than the visit by the Magi from the East. The star has intrigued people for centuries with many a speculation. To me the issue most interesting is ‘how did the Magi know about a promised Messiah in Israel?’ Who were they and how did they know about the birth of Jesus, a name they would not have known. They did know the one born would be King of the Jews. It would have come about approximately five hundred previously. That was when the Southern Kingdom called Judah was carried off to Babylon. The Lord’s promise of judgement on disobedient Judah became the means for the Gentiles to know about the Messiah. Men of the calibre of Daniel and Ezekiel and their stories are in the bible. How they influenced such men as the Magi can only be speculated but it would have happened. The Babylonian interest in astronomy would be a real lever for Daniel to tell them about the coming King.

We call the Magi the ‘wise men’ and rightly so. However they needed someone to tell them “where is He who is born King of the Jews”. Notice, they didn’t say the baby was the heir to the throne. No! He was born King. Where was the answer found? In the Bible! For them the answer came from Micah 5:2. Christmas was not unexpected. It had been long planned. In fact from Genesis 3 in the promise to Eve and the warning to the Devil.

People who are wise still ask a similar question “where is He who was born King?” If they linger over the manger and imagine He is still a baby they’ll never meet Him. The quest for Him may begin at the manger but there is a trail leading from there to follow. We track Him down along the road marked out in the Gospels. As you read that map you find special places marked out where this Jesus met and fulfilled certain prophetic criteria. But He didn’t stay there. He had moved on to the tragedy of rejection, false accusations and finally a criminal’s death on a cross. The search of the Magi must seem to end there at Calvary. Over the head of this Jesus was a sign ‘Jesus King of the Jews’.

Now people search for His tomb. They would like to make it a sacred place, a pilgrimage centre. But He isn’t there. He has risen! It’s an empty space. Now this could create a problem for those who ask the Magi’s question, “Now where is He who was born King of the Jews”? Their answer came from scripture. So will the answer come to the wise from the scriptures who still seek to find Him. As you follow the trail set out in the bible you don’t end at a tomb. You climb the Mt. of Olives and read about His ascension to the Father’s realm. From there Jesus has promised to return to earth to complete the promises yet outstanding.

Does that mean you or I cannot find Him and know Him now? Of course not! The biblical information which motivated the Magi has been filled out in greater detail for us. Their knowledge and faith gave them motivation to find this Jesus. The same goes for us. Knowledge from the bible about the promised one and faith to believe what it says prepares a meeting ground. It has now become a heart and mind matter more than a seeing one. Romans 10:9-11 ‘If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”’

When that act of faith takes place you discover more to the answer the Magi were after. You find that Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings who one day will rule over the Kingdom of God. Also you will find this Jesus to be your Saviour and companion along life’s way. How to you keep in touch with Him? Through the scriptures, learning to talk with Him and meeting with those of like heart and mind.