2023/2024

 

As  the year 2023 comes to a close, we do well to reflect on the past and think about the future.

The questions worth considering:

1        What special blessings have we enjoyed from the Lord in the last year?

2        Did we leave a good example for others to follow?

3        Was there a lesson to be learned?

4        How much storing up treasure in heaven happened?

5        Did we spend enough time worshiping the Lord in private?

6        Were we in control or was the Lord Jesus in control?

7        What was the ratio of prayer time/screen time/pleasure

8        Was any one impacted by the evangelism we did?

9        Who was the most important person in our life in 2023?

And how about 2024?

Planning? Budgeting?  Well, yes I am writing up my diary with birthdays  and phone numbers. But a certain poem is most helpful:

 

God holds the key of all unknown and I am glad

If other hands should hold the key

Or if He trusted it to me , I might be sad.

 

The very dimness of my sight makes me secure

For groping in my misty way

I feel HIS hand, I hear HIM say

‘My help is sure, My help is sure’

 

I cannot read His future plans but this I know

I have the smiling of HIS face

And all the refuge of HIS grace

While here below.

May all my readers be blessed with a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord.

Bible rejected

 

Why then is the Bible so hated ?

If this book promotes freedom to choose, encourages education and so much of social progress – why is it neglected, despised and rejected in so many hearts and places around the world?

   For one most significant reason. It presents the extreme claims of Jesus Christ as Lord of all.  His short solitary life has conquered so many. His claims to deity put every ither religion on notice – God has appeared and we all should worship  Him alone.

His exposure of hypocrisy and greed has put politicians and warmongers on notice – instead of war and plunder should be humility and generosity.

His claims to kingship leaves no room for rivals, only subjects. Human pride refuses to give Him such honour.

His exposure of sin and the need for forgiveness by sacrifice runs counter to the tales of the devil. So people choose lies rather than repent .  They prefer to go their own way.

So it almost seems like a mistake that God gave humans the freedom to choose!  Under the tutoring of the devil so many choose to reject Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.

But God is not defeated. The Bible continues as a hammer, as a mirror, as light divine, as the seed of life, as  the voice of God! The ‘YouVersion’  Bible app has been downloaded 700 million times in the last 15 years! And millions more are hungry for God’s word.

And millions have been and are being blessed to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord through the Bible.

But I missed something – many people dissent from the Bible  because they don’t like the concept of final accountability.  Jesus claimed that He would be the judge on judgement day. I am so glad – He can be trusted to judge with justice, and make grace triumph for all those who truly love HIM.

In conclusion – The Bible is a book about a person. Through Him, Jesus Christ our Lord,  so much  good has come to  mankind. How ungrateful to take for granted the good and reject the giver!

Peter put it so well for me :- “whom having not seen ye love……..”1Peter 1.

Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly, and you will discover more than essential principles for our society,  you will find a friend who  will be closer than a brother.

Why the bible

 

The Bible

What makes the Bible so different to other religious books?

There are many differences – I would like to highlight one.

In contrast to the many religious books that are revered and recited, the Bible is a collection of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years by many different people. Instantly that means a variety of contexts, variety of languages, variety of meanings, variety of circumstances which need to be investigated to achieve clarity. For example the writing of Daniel is different to the story of Abraham. A casual reading of the Bible will clarify the historical narrative covering many years.

    More than textual investigation, the Bible invites meditation. Not meditation that empties the mind of reason, but rather taking time to understand the meaning of it’s teaching. Some is moral teaching about how to live, some spiritual teaching about connecting with God. Other sections encourage people to investigate the natural world around us – to look up into the starry sky, to study the animals and learn from their ways. Thus science pursues the wonder of what God has made.

Again the Bible encourages education – reading , writing, mathematics, science, music, agriculture. More than just repetitive existence (doing what forebears did) , the Bible inspires people to rise to a deeper understanding of what life is all about.

Jesus described the Old Testament and His teaching as the Word of God. He described the best response to hearing it, like seed that falls into the good soil and with sunshine and moisture, springs up into a multiplying plant. He explained it Himself  - “this represents good hearted people who hear God’s message and understand it”. (Matthew 13). Why did I emphasize ‘understand’ – because I have met so many people reciting, reciting, reciting without understanding.

In fact the whole period of  Jesus teaching was filled with questions to HIM and from HIM. He wanted the faith of the people to be rooted in understanding – not just memorising, reciting or revering.

And so the directive was given to young Timothy – “ Study”.

I become very stressed by the cultures I interact with, where questions are our of order, investigation is forbidden and education is denied . 

I encourage all to use the opportunity to search the Holy Scripture and discover the Lord God revealed in the unique person of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Bible are available free from  johnmckee@internode.on.net

Gospel

 

I have been asked to give a message on  1 Peter4:12-19.  Two words seem significant. 1.  Suffer 2. Gospel.

In this article I would like to mention the Gospel. For many this word seems beyond its use by date. Churches seldom mention it. How few go into all the world and preach the Gospel.(Good News). May the LORD bless those who do.

Looking around our world we need Good News. I was reading the newspaper today, and oh how little of it is good news! More than ever we need a Gospel that brings deliverance from ruined lives and hope for the future. In my few years, I have seen so many things promised to “fix the world”. For example :- United nations, psychology. liberation from religion, communism, education, technology etc  - all are a dismal failure, in fact most have intensified the problem of the human condition.

So where does the good news come in?  The Gospel of God is not designed to fix the world, although that will happen. The Gospel is God reaching out to individuals to be reconciled to Himself. Although  the Lord God is almighty, He by His Holy Spirit  seeks to interact with all people of all nations. As the people are transformed, then the nations will change for the better.

His voice is heard in our conscience unearthing those things that have created our distance from God – sin. But that same voice of conviction declares God’s remedy – good news  (Gospel) through Jesus Christ. Many turn away from HIM, because they prefer their own selfish and sinful ways. Yet the message of mercy remains – Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, He was buried and the third day rose again. By virtue of that sacrifice, God can forgive, God can become our Father, God can accept us and transform our lives to be filled with light, life and love. Now that is real Gospel – good news.

But 1 Peter 4.verse 17 asks an awful question – “what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?”  I would like you to pause and answer that question. It has an answer in the present and an answer in the future.

Why did the question use the word ‘obey’? – because the call of God’s Gospel calls for action – “Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ “ (Acts 20:21)

However, to be a Christian, does not mean life will be easy. This part of Peter’s writing makes it clear that suffering is an expected part of life. The world we live, in dances to the tunes of the devil, so as followers of Jesus Christ as Lord we become the object of satan’s attacks. Peter gives encouragement.

“It is no shame to suffer for being a Christian” (V16) 

But our God is a faithful creator who loves and cares for His own.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you “ 1 Peter 5:7

JRM  8.12.2023

Australian Citizenship.

 

Citizenship

I have been teaching citizenship for two years. It has been a privilege  to get to know migrants from many countries. Better still to present the good things that Australia has for them. Finding out their backgrounds has been eye opening. More and more I see the good things of Australia being based on Bible principles.

Let me explain from the titles in “Common Bond “ book, Values:

1.       Rule of law.  The options operating in other countries are various – payback, law of the jungle, dictatorships, military rule etc. It was the LORD God who through Moses implemented the ‘rule of law’. Instead of warriors seeking to suppress others, God gave His law and Moses and the elders were to guide and judge by that law. The ten commandments plus 613 others provide protection for the vulnerable, justice for those harmed, and had room for pardon and restoration as well as compassion and care. It included care of refugees. God was the final judge and His justice and mercy brought hope for all.

2.     Freedom  - freedom to do good.

In so many cultures freedom is crushed in an effort to control any threat  to the ruling junta or government. Religious control is so destructive in many countries.  It was Jesus who said “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.”  And so it is because of Him we have freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom to progress. Jesus came into the world to give grace and truth and with it the freedom to choose. Some choose to abuse freedom, and so laws are made to control such.

3.     Equality – this is so rare in non Christian societies! It was Paul the Apostle who wrote “there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free, male or female, you are all one in Christ Jesus”. He was put in jail for teaching such equality. All being made in the image of God gives equality of value, different ones having different roles in life. It was Jesus who elevated the place of women. He so often affirmed their devotion, and accepted their contribution.  He also took time to bless the insignificant children as well as the disabled and sick.  And so He encourages  all to go forward, to learn, to study, to work , to care  as in the language of the “Common Bond” – give all a fair go.

4.    Respect.  Most migrants seem to understand and appreciate this concept. – Mainly because in their country of origin it is missing. Some are discriminated because of religion. Women are put down as chattels of little value. Low caste people are despised. As mentioned before, God made humans ‘in the image of God’ and each was given an integral part to play in God’s world.. Without that sense of responsibility to God, humans descend to the law of the jungle where it is survival of the strongest. (I found it interesting that at two recent citizenship ceremonies I attended, 90% of the new citizens chose the pledge that included the words “under God”.). It is when we see each other as humans in the purpose of God that life has value , the opinions of other are valid, and diversity has value. Then respect works!

5.    Community.  It is quite natural for birds  of a feather to flock together – community connected by language, religion, culture, employment, education etc. But in Australia we seek to follow the teaching of Paul the Apostle – the middle wall of racism is broken down. As an Aboriginal elder said to me “this is only really possible when the Bible verse is in place ‘ together in one body Christ reconciled both groups to God’” But as it stands we teach respect for each other  no matter what background, language, religion, ability etc. We need to integrate all as one Australian community . Volunteering is a good bonding feature in Australia.

6.    Compassion – it has been part of Australian culture to care for those in need. Jesus exemplified this in His counter cultural service. Many considered sickness and disability the direct result of sin or failure. As such they were despised. Jesus stopped the procession for a blind beggar, welcomed the plea of lepers, sought out the sick and oppressed. So in Australia the disabled, the disadvantaged, the refugees, are given special priority. Was it Florence Nightingale that put in place the care of those wounded by a world in turmoil?

7.    English language:  How can it be that the language of such a small country as England has so much impacted the world? A confusing language to teach I know! I know it is a trade language expanded by the British Empire. It is an educational language promoted by Oxford university. I rather think it is the impact of the English Bible. This book communicates good values more than many other languages. Words such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control shine through as gems in a dark world. This language creates cohesion rather than the confusion of Babal.

8.    Safety   This value is special to many refugees. They have come from war, genocide, strife, and uncertainty. And so we welcome them to the land of peace.  But emphasizing that peace and safety only holds good when we all contribute. As taught in the New Testament Bible, racism, gangs, corruption, robbery, ,  domestic violence, elder abuse etc must be prevented. The “common bond” book emphasizes that Australian law must be obeyed above over and above all cultural or religious laws. So what makes Australian Law so good? -the voice of the people? Rather, that its foundations in right behaviour as taught in the Bible.

9.    Loyalty. Increasingly, loyalty across the world is being driven by ideology. Sometimes by money, sometimes by religion, sometimes by nationality. In Australia we welcome many flags, but it is the law that the Australian National flag must fly higher than all others. A citizen here has many benefits, but must needs honour  the source and the people among whom they live. Have you ever noticed that the Flag has four crosses. So Australia will be great when we are true to the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord - the Son of God, the Saviour of all mankind, uniter of all races, lover of the lost and broken, Shepherd to all who trust Him.  He does not rule by an unbending law, but rather claiming the loyalty of love – love to Him and from Him to others.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

reBible references available on request

Ready for the great here after?

 

Tomorrow

I am just in from distributing Bibles and Bible plaques at the local market. Last market a man fell down dead at  the market for no obvious reason. This market has reports of other sudden deaths (mainly middle aged people). This post pandemic disease (SDS) is all too frequent.

It causes me to ponder the responsibility of ensuring people are ready to die. Australians in their ‘laid back’ attitude ignore the thought of life after death and funerals have changed to ‘celebrating the life’ instead of looking into eternity.

            So is it real – existence after death? I will come to the solid rock of Jesus teaching soon, but for a moment I ponder happenings around me. At the same market was a man who was clinically dead for 6 minutes. He gave me his book of what he saw on the other side. I worked with a man who consciously departed his body, but was acutely aware of what was happening around him. I met another man at Laidley show, who had been to hell and fortunately was sent back. He said he quickly became a Christian.

So I investigated . A book from the local library impressed me ‘My descent into death’ by H. Storm. So real was his experience at death that his whole life was changed to serve the Lord Jesus.  Peter Fenwick, a non Christian scientist investigated 2000 near death experiences  and finally described the next life as ‘a greater reality’. Then I read the book by Dr Rawlings (Medical doctor) – ‘To hell and back’. As a doctor he reports on people who had been resuscitated . He changed from scepticism to assurance that the life beyond death is so real. A nurse I know so well will say the same.

            Much more evidence is out there. But I turn to the solid rock of the teaching of Jesus. He more than any other should know for He claimed to have come from the world of eternity.

At the beginning of His teaching, He pointed directly to the reality of heaven  where His Father was.  He said we should lay up our treasure in heaven and indicated it would be enjoyed in the life to come. He claimed to be the final judge who would welcome into His future kingdom dead men like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yet He claimed to have the authority to shut the door on those who did not truly know Him or whom He did not know as His sheep. He described their future as – outer darkness, torment, unending regret etc. He more than any other exposed the failure of religious hypocrisy  to save from hell.

            On the positive,  He it was who promised to go to the Father’s house to prepare a place for His own. A place unspoiled by evil, where doubt and death cannot enter. So one man said: “ What is the way to this place?”

Jesus made a simple yet significant response:  “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me”.

Human religion does not like this exclusive claim of Jesus. But  He said that Eternal life was a gift that He gives to His sheep (John 10).

Much , much more could be written to verify the reality of life after death, but I conclude with the important question – are you prepared to meet God?

Or as Jesus said to the blind man : ”Do you believe on the Son of God?”

Not just about Him, His eternal claims, His divine being, His sacrificial death and resurrection.

 More to believe His word, trust His undeserved favour to forgive your sins, and commit to Him as your Lord and Saviour for time and for eternity.

When you enter the gate into His fold, His word is precious:

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow Me.

I give unto them eternal life and they will never perish.”  (John 10)

This is solid rock and promises that hold for time and for eternity.

I encourage you to find real hope in reading the Bible. Look at the reality of heaven in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5,6,7). Read the real assurance Jesus gives in John 10 and 14.

Take time  out to seek the Lord – He will not disappoint.

Weeping Jesus

 

My morning meditation:

“Jesus began to weep” Luke 19:41

“When Jesus saw the city (Jerusalem), He wept over it”

The tragedy of the opportunities the people missed, caused the Lord Jesus to weep.  He could have wiped the dust from His feet against them, but His divine heart was broken in sorrow for a people that rejected God’s king.

They observed God’s religion, but missed the Messiah. They needed peace, but refused the Prince of Peace. They could have known intimacy with God, but they rejected God’s Son.

The prophetic statement of the Lord Jesus has been fulfilled:

n  Too late

n     They will crush you

n        Scattered

n  Why – “  Because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you”.

n  So sad for Jerusalem, so traumatic for Israel, but equally tragic for all who reject Jesus , God’s Messiah, God’s King, God’s Son.

n   

n       “But to as many as received Him, He gave the right to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His Name” John 1:12

Oh how blessed to be one of His own.

Gratitude

 

Today is extremely hot!

Most people complain. I have chosen to count my blessings.

I thank the LORD above, for circumstances so congenial (when many suffer constantly). For health to live for HIM. For a wife of 50 years, faithful and supportive in the work of God. Thankful that HIS promises we have proved – seek first the kingdom of God, and HE has added so much  - food and clothes, house and cars, employment and friends. A family who love and time to serve,  time to meditate and rest.

I thank the LORD for His Holy Spirit, who, in spite of my unworthiness and incapacity, enables me to enjoy the Bible. Even when the precious truth rebukes me, how good it is to know that God still speaks to those who take the time to listen.

I count myself blessed to be a ‘nobody’ yet having many friends – facebook friends, friends in the neighbourhood, friends in schools, friends among migrants, friends in other countries. For those special people who have supported us in the tough times – thank you for being instruments in the hand of God to give us hope and love.

Well , last week we had a big hailstorm, but the silver lining is the sight of dead grass turning green and the birds are singing. We prove again:

“God causes everything to work together for the good of those  who love Him, and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

One continues to count so many blessings but the page is ending.

By HIS grace I encourage all my readers to take time out :

‘Count your blessings, name them one by one…. And it will surprise you what the LORD has done!’

Write them down and maybe create a post of gratitude. (instead of grumblitude!)

John  (which means God is gracious)

Watchman what of the night?

 

Watching the news from the Bible.

It has happened before and it is happening again.

Bible reading: - Luke 21 from the lips of the Lord Jesus.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that the time of it’s destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills…………… until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.”

And so it happened a the Lord said – AD  70, Jerusalem was destroyed including the temple. Then, for about 2000 years the land has been overrun by Gentiles. Now listen to the next prophecy of the Lord:

“And there will be strange events in the sky – signs in the sun, moon and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. The courage of many will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth. The stability of the very heavens will be broken up.

Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory.

When you see these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up for your salvation is near.”   (Luke 21 NLT)

 

And so it did happen, just as the Lord prophesied.

    And so it is beginning to happen, just as the Lord prophesied.

-        ‘Be alert-

-        “Pray that if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man”

When studying prophecy, I suggest you start with the teaching of the Lord Jesus, then connect the Old Testament , then the teachings of Paul and the other Apostles and lastly Revelation. The ‘Believers Bible Commentary’ is very useful to know which prophecies have been fulfilled and which are yet future.

JRM

Jew and Gentile

 

At school this week we are studying the record of the Jewess, Lydia , and the Roman jailer. Both needed to learn about Jesus – the Lord from heaven, once crucified and risen again. Both accepted the invitation to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result they were saved – saved from wasted lives, saved from guilt before God, saved from hell and saved to enjoy heaven in the life to come.

This is the only true solution to Jew and Gentile need today – unreserved faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Only then will true peace be attainable and the waste of lives by war be prevented.

May the Lord of the harvest enable, equip and encourage all who seek to spread this good news all over the earth. And may abundant grace enable believers to be faithful to the Lord Jesus when persecution prevails.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Are you free

 

Freedom:

This  subject comes up often.

Jesus Christ said – “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

So many millions in our world are not free!   Why?

   My study and my interactions with many cultures and religions, has showed up evidence of men manipulating and controlling others. By religious brainwashing and demands of ritual adherence with death threats for all who choose to change – this leaves billions of people living in fear. Not so much fear of God, but fear of oppressors, society  and family.

In many cultures, the religious demands transfer into political control and social obligations. Fear gives way to despair and people comply with dictatorial demands for survival. The evidence is that so  many  have rejected Jesus Christ as the Lord from heaven and don’t believe in Him as the Saviour of all people. Those choosing to be different are persecuted and penalised.

What does Jesus Christ the Lord offer that is so different:

1.        He encourages people to believe in Him, with the freedom to choose, or not to choose. To research and understand.

2.       All who call upon His Name are promised deliverance from personal guilt before God and receive Eternal Life instead of hell.

3.       To follow Him is freedom from fruitless rituals and attempts at working for God’s favour – grace overcoming evil (Ephesians 2)

4.      In His kingdom, all are free to do good things with love being the motive to serve friends and enemies. (Matthew 5)

5.       The teachings of Christ are high in expectation, but the choice to obey or not is left with the individual and not enforced by religious police or the like.

6.       Freedom in Jesus Christ is controlled by the motive of love – and love does not harm others.  (Romans 13)

The Lord Jesus illustrated freedom in the stories of the lost sheep and lost son.  Both chose to wander away (freedom to choose), but such was the character of the shepherd and Father – both wanderers were able to find forgiveness and acceptance again. Such is the character of our Lord God expressed so fully in Jesus Christ our Lord.

As I teach citizenship to diverse migrants in Australia, I thank the Lord for freedom to choose, and wish the same for them.

JRM

Does God care

 

The call of Luke 15.

The illustrations given by the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 15 are firstly a call to the followers of the Lord Jesus to act like God.

Does God care about lost people?

1.    One sheep is lost for some reason. It could be like the tax collector of verse 1 – tempted to make easy money.

God reacts as a shepherd seeking his own sheep. They still belong to Him and He goes seeking it until he finds it.

Do we seek lost people like God, who loves all the people of all the world?

2.    One coin is lost – we don’t know how it was lost and like the coin, some people seem of no value to anyone because of the wreckage of sin. But we do know that the coin still had the image impressed by it’s maker. As the woman was delighted to find the coin, so the angels in heaven rejoice when a sinner turns back to God.

Are we available to the Holy Spirit to seek, to sweep, to search until  the lost one is found?

3  One son was lost and we do know that his selfish selfwill was the problem. It was his own fault, so why bother to win him back? God, like the good and gracious father, gives, watches, forgives and restores the one who by rebellion is as good as dead.

Do we care, do we yearn, do we pray, do we forgive. It is so much easier to be like the older brother – to be judgemental and bitter.

The Lord Jesus calls us to “be like our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:48).

‘Lord, let Your love constrain me to love like God loves.’

 

Then we will be able to rejoice with the angels – a sheep found, a coin recovered, a son restored.

Truth

 

Truth or tradition

Many people believe according to the tradition they have been born into. My studies of world religions proves that.

Some select one tradition over another. Few are willing to ask the question:

“What is the truth?”

Truth about things is like science trying to discover the world we live in.

Truth about people is often gained by reading history. For this education is very useful.

Truth about God seems interesting to most people, but the bias of childhood is very strong.

            To break out of ritual, reciting, indoctrination often involves harsh family treatment. The fear of the unknown, the loss of financial stability, the disfavour of a spouse and the perplexity of where to search creates fear. So many recoil into their traditional upbringing.

 

Seeking the truth :

Th answer is not so complicated  - Look, Read, Speak

Look at the world God has made. The wonder of nature causes us to think about the greatness of the creator. Example – who deigned the human eye? Who wrote the DNA code?

Read books – many books create confusion, so start with a book that historically and morally describes God connecting with humans- the Bible

Speak – listening to and speaking to God actually works. He is not some mute idol or far away deity. He is not far away from anyone of us.

So take time out to think, to read, ponder, and be challenged by the Bible. Ponder John chapter 14, verse 6 – the disclosure of Jesus Christ:

“I am the way the TRUTH and the life”

Truth then appears, not in a religion, ritual, or church. Truth is in a person you can know today.

Enquiries welcome and Bibles free  johnmckee@internode.on.net

Opportunity

 

The privilege of a Christian

-         To be a worshiper of the true and living God

-         To be a follower of Jesus Christ the Lord

-          To be a subject (citizen) in the kingdom of God’s dear Son

-            To be a servant in the promotion of Jesus Name

-              To be a brother or sister to those in His family.

-                To be a herald of His Gospel

-                  To be a conduit of truth in this dark world.

Listening to the voice of Jesus

 

The challenge of scripture to me this morning:

“No one lights a lamp and then hides it under a basket. Instead, it is put on a lampstand to give light to all  who enter the room.”  (Luke 11:33)

And again : “ You completely forgot about justice and the love of God….. you should not leave undone the more important things.”   (Luke 11:42)

“Lord grant me the help needed to shine for You today.”

Jesus Christ - dead or alive

 

Did Jesus really die?

Why is it that millions of people refuse to believe  that Jesus died and rose again?

The evidence that He did die is abundant:

The prophet Isaiah wrote 700 years before it happened that the Messiah (Christ) would die  - Isaiah 53:8. Also Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 12:10.

The historian Josephus records that Jesus was killed by the governor Pilate.

The writers of the New Testament  all wrote of the actual death of Jesus Christ as factual, historical and spiritual reality. To assert (as many do) that Jesus didn’t die, is to say that Peter, John, Matthew, Luke, Paul etc were liars. The ancient manuscripts from east and west attest to the same.

More than the historical record, the death of Jesus Christ is the foundation that makes true Christianity meaningful.

By His sacrifice, millions enjoy forgiveness if sins.

 By His death, millions have been reconciled to God and live in the joy of knowing God as Father.

  By His selfless love in dying for His friends, many are inspired to be self sacrificing for others.

 

Why then do so many refuse to believe that He actually died?

1.    One sentence in a doubtful book says so.

2.    It is humiliating to feel the need of Jesus to die for our wrong doing.

3.    A crucified leader is not a victory for the human ego.

4.    A dead Jesus needs the miracle of resurrection for Him to have any future

5.    A resurrected Jesus would validate the claim that He was and is the Son of God

“Lord have mercy on the millions that deny HIM this honour – that He died according to the command of God (John10), raised again by the glory of the Father (Romans 6:4), to be to Saviour and Sovereign of the world. (1 Corinthians 15:25).”

 

jrmckee149@gmail.com

The Bible

 

Reading the Bible

Many, many people are afraid to read the Bible, and for many reasons.

For those who choose to read it, but find it a daunting project, let me give some advice.

It is a library of books, not one long narrative.

It is written in various forms – History, law, songs, prophecy, biography, instruction.

It is best to read from the Old section along with reading from the New Testament as the old is explained by the new.

The song/poetry books in the centre give helpful insight into the varying experience of life. They can lift the despondent soul to heights of praise.

Many of the prophecies seem irrelevant to us, but hidden in them are significant statements about Jesus (like Isaiah 53).

Those who read the Bible to understand everything will be frustrated. Those who read it to criticise it will miss the blessing. Those who read it to justify themselves and to teach others can be marred by conceit. But those who let the Bible speak for itself , then the Holy Spirit will bring blessings eternal.

 

If you are finding the Bible boring, I suggest you double check if you are really a child of God with the Holy Spirit leading you in knowing God. If you are unsure, seek the Lord God today. Turn away from sin, self and the world to find forgiveness, peace and eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. His promises have been proven true:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)

“You heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, and you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”  (Ephesians 1:13)

The Bible will become a joy to read (sometimes humiliating). A book of praise to cheer each day. The guide of life to walk with Christ. The hope for tomorrow derived from the great and precious promises. The assurance of peace with God for eternity.

 

If you do not have a Bible, I have spares to distribute.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

The greater need

 

Our lesson at school today comes from the Bible book of Matthew,

chapter 9.

The incident of a paralyzed man highlights the greater need – physical wellbeing or spiritual peace with God.  And then it identifies Jesus as having authority to cure both problems because He was and is the Son of God.

“I will prove that I the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.”

Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said:

“Stand up, take up your mat and go home, because you are healed.”

Without medicine, Jesus could reverse the brokenness of the physical problem. Without reference to anyone else, Jesus could forgive the man’s spiritual problem – the problem of sin that disconnects people from God.

Indeed, who is this man who can still the storm, heal the sick, raise the dead and declare the guilty forgiven?”

“If you will confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord (the Lord from heaven),

And believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

You will be saved.”   (Romans 10.9)

He can be trusted to keep His promise.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Jesus Christ as Lord

 

The words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 6 have humiliated me. Then to make the final point He says “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, when you won’t obey me?” (Luke 6:46).

He exposes the hypocrisy of hollow words and the final destruction of sham profession.

We may theorise, teach, explain away or ignore the teachings of the Lord, but He insists that in the final count down, it is obeying His word that will be as solid rock.

And those who build their lives on anything else will finally be a house in a heap of ruins.

How fitting that the Apostle Paul says : ”Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)

The Lord Jesus Christ calls for genuine commitment, for unfailing faith in Him and love that expressive of the love of God the Father.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

How precious

 

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.

Use His words to teach and counsel each other.

 Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Bible – Colossians 3:16

The helper - the Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit

Some of my  readers may well be asking “What is this Holy Spirit?”  -  some invisible being?

God is great, majestic and infinite. How can we begin to understand such a being? Many have tried to represent God by images and idols. God is a spirit (invisible yet a real personality), and He reveals Himself by the Holy Spirit. God sometimes speaks with a voice, sometimes through people, sometimes through writing, but best of all through Jesus Christ.

The Bible is the Lord God writing through the pen of people, they being moved by the Holy Spirit to write.  It is a daunting book – so much history, law, songs, prophecy, directions, biographies, revelations! How can we understand it?  - By the help of the Holy Spirit. This is a major difference to most other religions where reciting their scriptures is more important than understanding them. The Bible invites research and understanding. It has been and still is the chief medium of God speaking to humans.

Are you open minded enough to let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth? Take a Bible and ask the Lord to show Himself. He will interact with your spirit (mind). Take time to declutter your mind and concentrate. Most times He speaks in a still small voice.

Best if you can read the Bible in your heart language. If you don’t have one to read, please let me know.

johnmckee@internode.on...net

A Christian

 

What does it mean to be a Christian?

God, the creator is our interactive Father.

Jesus the Son of God is our Saviour, Redeemer, Intercessor and Lord.

The Holy Spirit is with us to give illumination, spiritual life and love.

 

The Christian renounces sin of every kind.

Forgiveness is accepted through our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.

The Christian commits heart and will to Jesus Christ. Instead of self centred ambition and worldly ways, Jesus through the Bible truth becomes Lord and King.

The Christian lives in hope of eternal life. This participation in the life (family) of the Lord God is enjoyed now and in the life to come. This hope is established by the promises of God.

The Christian seeks to live a life transformed  from the natural inclinations to do wrong, to a new life in Christ where the workmanship of God changes us to a new mind, to moral likeness of Jesus Christ, to heavenly aspirations, to the motive of divine love.

The Christian learns the true meaning of GRACE – the undeserved favour of God,, appreciates mercy and yields to the transformation of God’s love.

And so much more – my emphasis is : the Christian has a living relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ that makes life worth living and gives hope for Eternity.

It would be wise to take time out today  to ponder this question : "Am I really enjoying  this life from God?"

If not, ask God to speak to you and give Him time to do so.