Changed

 

The Word of the Lord to me this morning:

“ So get rid of all malicious behaviour and deceit.

Don’t just pretend to be good!

Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing.

You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fulness of your salvation.

Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries out for milk, now that you have tasted of the Lord’s kindness.

1 Peter 2 NLT

 

The Lord knows the hearts, so let him that claims the name of Christ, depart from iniquity.

-         Let the cleansed heart be evident in a transformed life.

jojohnmckee@internode.on.net

Work ethics

 

Work life – 7 reasons to learn a trade

I think every boy should learn a trade before Higher Education!

1.    Jesus did, and also Peter and Paul and John and Andrew etc

2.   Each teenager needs to learn the discipline of work time schedule, learn from older people and learn to live on a lower wage

3.   The world chiefly operates on trades.

4.   Learning a professional career works better after learning a trade.

5.   Promotion from trade to manager instils consideration and understanding toward staff.

6.   Bible says a man should support his own family. An unskilled labourer can survive , but a tradesman leaves an example of skill  for those following,

7.   Working with others calls for discipline of action and reaction, giving opportunity to live and speak for Christ.

Leading or feeding appetite

 

I hesitate to write this. But after much pondering about one of Australia’s deepest problems that is now affecting politics, labour market, families, church etc. I write for you to think it through.  Four destructive words – “What do you want…….?”

Sounds ok, sounds normal, even Jesus occasionally used them!

Yes, but please take time to ponder their destructive implications when used unwisely.

Illustration: You ask a child “what do you want for breakfast?” Almost always, the child will ask for something sweet and often unhealthy! Consequences – a life habit of feeding on flavour instead of healthy food.  Rather parents should wisely decide on healthy food for mental and physical wellbeing of a child. Good leadership would then say –“today we are having ………….. for breakfast – come enjoy!” Then the child would learn to  make wise choices.

This little illustration unveils a fundamental problem of Australian youth. Why do so many think the world ‘owes it to them’ ? I suggest that too many parents have fed the self centred ego by ‘what do you want?’ instead of leading  with ‘we are going to ….’.  By having choices and options for food, fun, friends, clothes, careers, cars etc, the young inexperienced mind considers it normal to EXPECT to have what it wants. Occasionally young ones are taught to make wise choices, but too often they are given what they WANT to keep them quiet. (obedience seems well out of date).

Does the Bible reflect on this – Absolutely and extensively.

“Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequence of decay and death. Those who live to please the spirit will harvest everlasting life” (Galatians 6:8) – normal flesh choices versus wisdom and understanding given by God.

“If your sinful nature controls your mind there is death. If the Holy Spirit controls your mind there is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Children need parents filled with the Holy Spirit to lead them. The world of media and education encourages children to gratify oneself, follow the dreams, in anyway they may choose without true reference to outcomes or God’s way.

True love is often “Tough Love” -  please read Revelation 3:19.

I mentioned politics – yes – years ago, people voted for the good of the country, now they vote to satisfy “Meism”. (what they get out of it).

Labour shortage – Most of us were happy to get a job as teenagers. Today they EXPECT easy work on max pay!

Churches – listening carefully to what the congregation WANTS, to keep the money rolling and the numbers up! (2 Timothy 4:3)

Families – working so hard to have enough money to keep the children up with the Jones’s  philosophy ‘What do you want?’.

Well, thank you if you read this through – you are welcome to disagree, but I ask you to ponder it a while, before you throw it away.

The questions of life

 

A Job – I feel the need to write short articles to help young people find their way in this world.

Question1 " What job should I do?"

Let the Apostle Paul give us a clue

"learn to maintain good works for necessary uses." Titus 3:14 KJV

As a teenager, I passed the exam to become a telephone technician and this question presented itself – was a telephone a necessary part of life?

Paul himself was quite academic, but first learned to be a tentmaker. So he says: "Settle down, and get to work. Earn your own living" 2 Thessalonians 3:12

For some a chosen career may lead to useful service for God. For many the employment, career may change if we stumble, and if we submit to the leading of God. Trusting HIM is more important than the perfect job.

Most important is to answer the question – 'why do I want a particular job?' – for myself, for others, or for the Lord Jesus.

Remember Jesus became a carpenter, but that was not the significant part of His life. Rather, in the Father's good time, He laid down the hammer and began teaching, healing and laying down His life for others.

Pause and pray, God still speaks to those who take the time to listen.

Questions welcome johnmckee@internode.on.net

The Psalms - prayer book, song book

 

In my recent meditations in the Psalms, I discovered that the greatest danger in life for the songwriter, were not wild animals, (for David the shepherd faced many of these), the real dangers were people! David the songwriter faced lions and bears, but it was the cruel persecutors, the betrayers, the misunderstanding relatives, the jealous enemies that wanted to kill him – these were the repeated subject of his prayers.

So it is today- the danger is not wild animals, it is rather the addictive screens (designed by people to seduce), the self centred friend (manipulative instead of loyal), the God despising relative (who turns others away from God's way), the Lord Jesus denying religion (people promoting other doctrines) etc. These are the real dangers that we so often fail to see.

JRM

Struggling with the Bible

Struggles

I am struggling with my Bible and in particular Isaiah 58!

Verse 1 has the challenge to be a voice exposing the sins of others – well I would rather say positive words, but the call of this command is like John the baptiser and Jesus the Christ – the call to ' repent'. They both spelled out what sin was in the eyes of God. But who am I to tell others about their wrong doing?

 Verse 2 & 3 identifies the religious observances of the people as being insufficient to please the LORD. They daily prayed and tried to know the right and wrong way to live. They seemed to be happy to spend time fellowshipping in God's presence. They had self discipline to do fasting, but underneath all this religious fervour was a mistaken motive and purpose.

First, they wanted the LORD to take notice of how good they were.

Secondly, they did 'religion' while continuing with self-centred behaviour.- "seek your own pleasure" 

Verses 4 & 5 expose the hypocrisy of their self discipline – during these fastings the quarrelled. Their public posture of sackcloth and ashes was a sham like the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 6:5 "they love to stand and pray.......... to be seen of others."

Well that is enough to humble me, but there is more

.

Verses 6 to 10 explains what the Lord Jesus meant when He answered the leaders of His day "I will have mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9:13 . There was nothing wrong with sacrifice or fasting but the people were acting from the wrong motive and living the wrong way.

Let Isaiah explain:

"to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps of the yoke   

to let the oppressed go free

and break every yoke

to share your bread with the hungry

to bring the homeless poor into your house

to cover them

to pour  yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted.

This makes me feel very small. I have failed to follow the mission statement of the Lord Jesus:

"To proclaim good news to the poor, He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18

And that is just what Jesus did. Peter taught that we should 'follow in His steps' !

Back to the end of Isaiah 58.

For those who are true to God, following the steps of Him who 'showed us the Father', the promises in this chapter are brilliant. For example:

"Your light shall break forth like the dawn,

The glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard

The Lord will respond "Here am I"

Your light will rise in the darkness

Like a spring of water

Then you shall take delight in the LORD....."

Does all this mean we need to fix up our behaviour – well yes it does, but not as a matter of religious observance. Rather as a matter of returning unto the LORD with all our heart and letting Him change us from the inside out. To love Him with all our being, because He first loved us. This somewhat like the words of the Lord to the Christians at Ephesus who had so much commendable behaviour:

" But I have this against you, that you have abandoned your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Repent and do the works you did at the first."  Revelation 2.5

My hope is restored because in the Lord does not only rebuke, but in Him is restoration, recovery, redemption and transformation.

I bow my heart and head with gratitude, that we know such a wonderful, loving Gad. He is our Father and we can trust Him.

JRM

Are we learning from life

COVID 19   Are we learning the lessons?

Learning to live simple: The restaurants are closed. We are isolated at home! – well my wife has started cooking damper – flour, milk, butter and raisins. It is simple and great.

Learning to live together – the sports fields are deserted, the cinemas are closed – now we are home together – we can eat meals together, play board games together, sit by a bonfire together!

Learning to create:  The supply of ready made gifts and gadgets is shrinking, the access to ready made clothes is limited – Maybe the art of sewing and knitting will be reinvented! Children making things out of cardboard boxes!

Learning to maintain:  no job to go to, less money to buy with. Now we have time to clean and oil our bicycle, our car or our house. Maybe even repair our mower instead of buying a new one.

Learning to read: Well sadly this probably won’t work because everyone is glued to their screens. Perhaps we should turn off the internet and begin reading books and best of all taking time to read the Bible.

Learning to be content at home: Australia, the land of travel –travel for commerce, travel for pleasure. Now that the roads are restricted, we do well to learn contentment and productivity at home.

Learning to live with uncertainty: - the value of tomorrows money is uncertain, the promise of employment,  the availability of food all remains tentative. Instead of panic and depression, we ought to learn the practical value of trust in the Lord.

Learning to commune with God:   all the churches are closed. Gatherings are limited to 10 or less. This is a good time to return to the Biblical occupation of meditating on the word of God  alone. I am not so sure that the rush to online church is helpful. It sustains the malady of spoon fed Christians with introvision, of looking after us instead of looking out to seek  others. Maybe a taste of China limitations would be good medicine for us in the west. The Holy Spirit is a great teacher if we take time to be quiet with the Lord. It is so helpful to journal in these difficult times.

Learning to be prepared: - some have smiled at my little stash of food for hard times. That smile has gone.

Learn to sow when the seasons are good in preparation for difficult times. We have fallen into the mindset of the ‘instant society’ - food now, new clothes now, information now, help now etc instead of waiting and preparing.

Learning to sow the truth of the word of God  in times of opportunity:  As Jesus said, “ the night comes, when no one can work” I used to wonder what He meant – now I know. Better to sow the seed before the tragedy event – As the Lord did- He warned the disciples of His impending cross and its purpose.

Learning to love with more than words: the shallowness of  ‘I love you’ needs to be replaced with the actions of ‘I love you even when undeserved’. Maybe COVID 19 will bring many prodigals home.

Learning to face the fragility of life: with medical treatment and medicine stretched beyond its capacity,  we can no longer assume that doctors can keep us alive to 85 years. The western lie, that life is good, needs to be replaced with the truth that life is short and Eternity is long.

Learning that God is at work:  from the highest to the lowest, we have to admit that we have lost control of our world. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings etc are trembling   with fear, unable to control the tiny virus or the outcomes devastating the world.- maybe God is teaching what He taught Nebuchadnezzar many years ago – ‘God rules in the kingdoms of men.

Learning that God judges: is there a cause for God to permit such tragedy? A  world where idolatry is increasing, where immoral behaviour is government approved, where unborn babies are slaughtered wholesale, a world of atheism, even among Jews, violence as normal, a world that has said ‘ no God for me’, churches that have dispensed with the Bible etc – God has every reason to judge.

Learning that God’s grace alone is the way to acceptance with God:  In these terrifying times, what help are the many religions that teach that hope is built on our good doing, our ritual keeping, our karma changing. Let us learn quickly that we all deserve judgement and damnation.  God’s grace alone through the once crucified  Christ  brings acceptance with God.

Learning to pray:  We have been taught to be independent . Even eloquent prayers fail when the world collapses around us.  It is so good that God still hears the prayer of the humble and contrite.

Learning to look and listen to Nature:  with the takeover of human thinking by the media and the internet, thoughtfulness has been lost. Now we can take time to listen to the birds, care for animals,  smell the roses, study the insects, watch the clouds and count the stars!

Learning to have longsighted vision:  so many hopes and dreams have been smashed – built on the sand castles of ‘ self esteem’ live your dream’ go your own way’ make your fortune now’. Rather the word of the Lord Jesus still holds good- “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these thing shall be added unto you” “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven!” (Matthew 6,7)

Learning the real priorities of life: Instead  of constant ‘selfies’ and selfishness, change to    Jesus... others.... yourself  -  JOY

Learning about the future: Modern prophets have made all sorts of predictions, both good and bad. How quickly they can all be cancelled. Only God knows the future and it is about time we began to take notice.

Are we prepared to ‘Be still and know that He is God”  ????

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Hope in the time of tragedy

Hope in the shadow of tragedy

Some might ask, where is God in the situations of tragedy?  But the better question is ‘Where is man in the situations of tragedy?’

We must recognize that in our world are great forces of evil against the forces of good.  In this article I would like to focus on the human factor as presented by Jude. Yes, that little book  near the end of the Bible, is so relevant to the past and present tragedies.

If men would turn to the Lord, then might God intervene, but no, mankind wants to go it alone, go their own way!

In the book of Jude a list of historical tragedies is given:

1^st -Verse 4 -  Many Israelites died for choosing to live immoral lives. –tragedy

2^nd –The angels that went beyond the limits of their God given authority – they are still bound in prisons of darkness awaiting the day of judgement.-tragedy.

3^rd  - The people of Sodom and Gomorrah delighted in every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire from heaven and the people await the day of judgement. – tragedy

4^th –False teachers who mock and curse the things they do not understand. They bring about their own destruction. –tragedy.

5^th – Those who like Cain, hate and kill even their own family – tragedy

6^th – Those who like Balaam, will do anything for money – tragedy.

7^th – Those who like Korah, rebel against God given authority – tragedy

So many of these are like wandering stars, heading for everlasting doom and darkness.

They are grumblers and complainers, doing whatever evil they feel like. They are loud mouthed braggarts, and they flatter others to get favours in return. – tragedy!

What a horror list – yet what an accurate description of our world!

What hope is there?

In the beginning of history, God came to Adam in the garden to communicate spiritual blessing. Tragedy broke that fellowship, BUT God still sought connection with Adam and Eve. The Lord still continued to connect with Cain and Abel. Through history, God has continued to reach out to individuals who repent and believe in Him. Noah preached righteousness so that the people might be delivered from tragedy. So in modern history, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has called people to Repent . Many individuals have responded . They have found a nearness to God that impels them to bless others like Jesus did. Sometimes like a Luther, a Wilberforce, but mostly it has been the salt , light and kindness of the millions who have come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.

Jude gives hope and good advice to his readers:

Verse 1     ‘You are called to live in the love of God the Father and the care of Jesus Christ .’

Verse 3    ‘ you are to defend the Gospel.’

Verse 15    ‘ Understand that God will bring the people of the world to judgement.’

Verse 17    ‘You must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you.’

Verse 20    ‘you must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith, praying in the Spirit.’

Verse 21    ‘Keep yourselves in the love of God , looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life’
Verse 22    'showing mercy to others'

Verse 24,25     Let the praise begin to God who is Holy, who is the Saviour, for He is worthy.

I encourage you to read this little book of Jude again. See God in righteous judgement and see God in abundant grace. By this means, tragedy can become a triumph.

Something to ponder – ‘why is there not greater tragedy as punishment for sin?’

The answer is – ‘God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish.’

John McKee

Heaven?

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ

Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.

Store your treasures in heaven where they will never become moth eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.

Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will be.

Matthew 6 NLT

Listen to the Apostle Paul

Set your sights on things above, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honour and power.

Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things done here on earth. For you died when Christ died and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory!

Colossian 3NLT

Danger

The dangers of freedom

In Australia we have freedom to travel. Generally it is safe to travel anywhere across this vast land. Yes safe from bandits, safe from molesters, safe from extortion and corruption. However this freedom has put many into trouble. For example –many tourists come to Australia, hire a car or campervan and set out to travel from Brisbane to Adelaide. So they choose to go via Birdsville and Innamincka to see the outback. Out in these ‘safe’ places they go, unprepared for the inevitable difficulties of heat, desert, mechanical failure etc. My children have assisted several of these unprepared freedom seekers.

What is my point? Freedom without guidance is dangerous. Freedom to travel needs a guide. Freedom of religion needs a guide. Freedom of business enterprise needs a guide, freedom of speech needs a guide, freedom of education needs a guide, freedom to choose a marriage partner needs a guide!

As I teach citizenship lessons, this point becomes clear  -  --   on our own , freedom can lead to disaster. Recently heard of refugee men in Australia, leaving their wives and children to enjoy ‘freedom’. Alongside freedom goes responsibility!

So who is the trustworthy guide?  In so many situations, this is indeed the difficulty. Government representatives have limited capacity. If I was intending to cross Australia , I would seek the help of someone who had survived such a journey themselves.  If I was choosing a religion, I would talk to someone who understood by study and experience religion. Someone who was intelligent about various beliefs and the outcomes of such. ( Jesus said – “wisdom is justified by her children)

In conclusion of this section I say – “freedom is great, but freedom without God is dangerous”

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Failure of freedom

Freedom is the liberty to choose. I write in the context of Australia where freedom is a favourite word. I often ask migrants what they like most about Australia – the answer is always the same  - ‘freedom’.

Indeed it is a privilege to have freedom, but why do we have so many laws and regulations and legislation to make society function? It is because of a root problem – the problem is the natural tendency to choose wrong and this leads to disorder and destruction. It is in the fallen nature of humans to choose wrong! (Wrong? Who says it is wrong to be greedy? Who sets the moral standards about lying? Who determines that oppressing others is wrong?)  Following self driven evolution, progressing by survival of the fittest does not help. Humans without a compass are little more than sophisticated animals.  And so it is that Governments without God, seek to establish laws and rules to control human unpredictability.

But bring into the picture a Creator who has moral values and the situation changes. When our conscience is active and God is recognized, laws become less relevant. Add to this the Christian’s companion – the Holy Spirit, and the laws become unnecessary. (as the NT teaches ‘Love does no wrong to anyone, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law’! Romans 13.10 )

Why then do we have the increasing regulation of society?? Because so many are without God and without hope in this world.

John McKee

Freedom - what is it

Freedom

To millions of people, this is the one word they would love to enjoy! So many governments and religions refuse to give the people true freedom.

In many peoples’ minds, ‘freedom’ is the idea of liberty to choose a good education, freedom to travel, freedom to associate with others, freedom of religion, freedom in marriage, freedom of speech, freedom to choose employment  etc

Others call for freedom to please oneself and let loose the passions and purposes of the natural human nature. Some young people strive for the opportunity to try the pleasures of the world. They want to go fast, try drugs , eat and drink anything, to be free of parental restraints – to do as they please.

Freedom without moral restraint is the recipe for disaster. Freedom without the power to choose right is sure to fail.

I plan to write some articles on this subject, so I invite all my readers to subscribe to the blogsite.

Songs in difficult days

The Psalms of David.

David the Shepherd became a soldier and then, after many years , was crowned King.

One would have expected his songs to be filled with times of victory and triumph.( He did defeat the giant, he did win many battles, he did rule well). Some were songs of praise for God’s blessings, but most were the outpouring of grief and pain as He calls out to God for wisdom and strength to overcome the difficulties of life. In fact, some seem to be asking the question of God – Why?

Psalm 143 is one of these. I recommend that you read it.  David admits his unworthiness, his depression and his fear. Yet in it all is his longing to know and enjoy the presence of the LORD.

So often we seek for great things, thinking that happiness comes from wealth or easy times. God knows our hearts, and He wants to use broken vessels from which the light might shine.

Paul caught the meaning of this :

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” –therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

                      2 Corinthians 12:9

Let me summarize.

Being a Christian is not a measure of how much one knows, or how successful one is. It is rather knowing God more and more through Jesus Christ the Lord. This is then lived out as servant, as a son, as a steward dependant upon and directed by the  living Lord in heaven.

The last Psalm attributed to David – Psalm 145 has a beautiful conclusion:

“My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord

And let all flesh bless His holy Name forever and ever”

johnmckee@internode.on.net

A song so true today

Psalm 73      As presented in the Believers Bible Commentary(W. MacDonald)

“I know for a fact that God is good to Israel, and to such as are pure in heart.

But there was a time when I actually began to wonder. My stance on the subject became very wobbly and my faith almost took a temporary tumble. You see I began to think how well off the wicked are – lots of money , plenty of pleasure, no troubles – and soon I was wishing I was like them.

Everything seemed to be going their way. They don’t have as much physical suffering as believers do. Their bodies are healthy and sleek (naturally they can afford the best of everything) . They escape many of the troubles and tragedies of decent people like ourselves. And even if troubles should strike them, they are heavily insured against every conceivable loss. No wonder they are so self confident. They are proud as a peacock and ruthless as a tiger. Just as their bodies seem to overflow with fatness, so their minds are spilling over with crooked schemes. And are they arrogant! They curse and scoff at their underlings and treat them as if they were dirt, threatening them continually. Even God Himself does not escape their malice. Their speech is punctuated with profanity, and they brazenly blaspheme Him. Their tongue swaggers and struts through the earth, as if to say “Here I come; get out of my way”.

Most of the ordinary people think they are great. They bow and scrape and show utmost respect. No matter what the wicked people do, the people find no fault with them. And this only confirms the oppressors in their arrogance. They figure that if there is a God, He certainly doesn’t know what’s going on. So they feel safe in pursuing their careers of crookedness. And there they are  - cushioned in luxury and getting richer all the time.

Well I began to think “What good has it done me to live a decent, honest, respectable life?” The hours I’ve spent in prayer. The time spent in the Word. The distribution of funds to the work of the Lord.  The active testimony for the Lord, both public and private. All I’ve got to show for it has been a daily dose of suffering and punishment. I wondered if the life of faith was worth the cost.

Of course I never shared my doubts and misgivings with other believers. I knew better than to do that. I often thought of the man who said “ Tell me of your certainties: I doubts enough of my own.” So I kept my doubts to myself , lest I should offend or stumble  some simple , trusting soul.

But still the whole business was a riddle to me: the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. It seemed so hard to understand. In fact it wore me out trying to solve the problem.

Then something wonderful happened. One day I went into the sanctuary of God – not the literal temple in Jerusalem, but the heavenly one. I entered there by faith. As  I was complaining to the Lord about the prosperity of the wicked in this life, the question suddenly flashed across my mind “Yes but what about the life to come?”  The more I thought about their eternal destiny, the more everything came into focus.

So I spoke to the Lord something like this. ‘Lord now I realize that despite all appearances’, the life of the wicked is a precarious existence.  They are walking on the slippery edge of a vast precipice. Sooner or later they fall over to their destruction. In a moment they are cut off- swept away by a wave of terrors too horrible to contemplate. They are to me like a dream when one awakes in the morning – the things that disturbed the dreamer are seen to be nothing but phantoms.

I now see that the things that were causing me to be envious were mere shadows. It was a bit stupid of me to become bitter  and agitated over the seeming prosperity of the ungodly. In questioning your justice I was acting more like  a beast than a man. ( Excuse me for behaving as I did).

Yet in spite of my ignorant behaviour, You have not forsaken me. I am continually with You, and You hold onto me, like a father holds his child by the hand. Throughout all my life You guide me with Your counsel, and then at last You will bring me to glory!

It is enough that I have You in heaven: that makes me fabulously wealthy. And now I have no desire for anything upon earth apart from Yourself. Let the ungodly have their wealth. I am satisfied with You and find my all-sufficiency in You. My body may waste away and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my life and all I’ll ever need or want throughout eternity.

Those who try keep as  far away from You as possible shall perish without You. And all those who desert you for false gods will be destroyed. As far as I am concerned, I want to be as near to You as possible. I have committed myself to You for protection and I want to declare all Your wonderful works to anyone who will listen.’

Priority

Two Bible verses have spoken to me this morning:

“Man who is in honour, and does not understand, is  like the beasts that perish.”

How futile to live without understanding and knowing God.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”

Our years come and go, and what do we have to show?

JRM

A song in the night, a song in the day

“Let all those who take refuge in you, rejoice”  Psalm 5

Many Psalms express personal troubles and grief. But the reason it has become a song, is the final victory is in the LORD. Trials and stress cause us to cling to God Almighty. Our strength is insufficient. His strength and favour and kindness enables us to overcome.

As we take refuge in Him, we are caused to rejoice.

The Psalm is set in a time of conflict and difficulty. The writer points out another secret to his overcoming.  Each morning he seeks the LORD. He asks that the LORD  prepare and make clear the way. And in the midst of confusing situations, that God will vindicate His own righteousness.

We do well to follow this example – begin the day with God. Let Him take control. And when difficulties persist find answers in God , not self.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Peace

..

There is a peace that comes after sorrow

   Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled

A peace that looks not upon tomorrow

   But calmly on a tempest that is stilled.

A peace that lives not now in joys excesses

   Nor in the happy life of love secure

But in the unerring strength the heart possess

   Of conflicts won while learning to endure.

A peace there is in sacrifice secluded

    A life surrendered, from will and passion free

Tis not the peace that over Eden brooded

    But that which triumphed in Gethsemane

Apathy

Laodicea

The church of Laodicea presents a vivid picture of the age in which we live. Luxury living abounds on every hand while souls are dying for want of the Gospel. Christians are wearing crowns instead of bearing a cross. We become more emotionally stirred over sports, politics, and television than we do over Christ.  There is little sense of spiritual need, little longing for true revival. We give the best of our lives to the business world, then turn over the remnants of a wasted career to the Saviour. We cater to our bodies which in a few short years will return to dust. We accumulate instead of forsake, lay up treasures on earth instead of heaven. The general attitude is “ If I don’t pamper myself who will? Let’s get ahead in the world  and give our spare evenings to the Lord.” This is our condition on the eve of Christ’s return.

William MacDonald   “Believers Bible Commentary”

Politics

Is the Bible interested in politics?

For sure – the history of Israel is so much about political establishment and demise. The book of Daniel is almost all about politics in Babylon and beyond.

The involvement of Jesus or rather the non involvement, in the politics of His day is outstanding considering the circumstances of that time. The last book of the Bible is like the writings ofDaniel – almost all about the conflicts of world powers.

Please notice this preface to the last book of the Bible (Revelation):

“To Him who loved us and loosed us from our sins (His priority) in His blood (by sacrifice, not by poltical power), and made us a kingdom (apart from the kingdoms of this world) of priests to His God and Father (unselfish function in the spiritual realm), to HIM be the glory (the honour of a monarch), and the dominion (when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of God and His Christ) unto the ages of the ages. Amen”          Revelation 1.

This preface statement sets the purpose of the book and the agenda of God for eternity.- the final political triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me put it another way like Acts 15:

‘God calling out of the nations a people (washed, sanctified, justified) for a priestly function now, but in His own future time, these same people raised up under one king (of the house of David), are to rule and intercede over the whole earth.’

Thus the Christian has this very high calling, to represent as an ambassador   God’s exalted king. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Earthly politics and politicians are so fickle. We as disciples of the one true Lord, are to represent the enduring King – the eternal one who became dead and now lives forevermore.

My involvement in present politics??  Just like the Master, my priority should be rescuing people from sin and Satan,  reconciling the lost to God. (2 Corinthians 5)

It is an interesting study, to review the life of Christ relative to the Roman oppressors, the religious zealots and the Jewish leadership of His day. He like the Maccabees could have  pursued political freedom, but to the disappointment of His followers, He chose victory by the path of sacrifice.

‘Take up the cross and follow Me’ is not the language of a political warrior. It is the language of an obedient servant, doing the Father’s will.

John McKee

Life's meaning

The true meaning of life.

It has been written – ‘To know God and enjoy Him forever’

Yes, but how does this relate to everyday life?

An example ;- By ‘casting all your care upon Him’, one can enjoy the peace of trusting in His sovereign greatness. He is able to intercept and control the circumstances of life if we invite Him. What a joy it is to see God at work in our lives. This is greater than self achievement.

After years of study, years of hard work, years of gathering possessions, years of connecting with others, I have concluded that the real meaning of life is, connecting with God.

The promise holds true :- “Seek Him and you will find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart. It may be rare, but it is very rewarding to take the time, the effort, the money, the dedication, the humility in seeking God. Oh  the joy when God speaks, when God acts and we know it was Him.

The Lord Jesus said “We ( Father , Son and Holy Spirit) will come to him and make our abode with him” (John 14). This promise of conditional love is not out of reach. The Lord of glory makes this promise to all who love Him and obey His commands. The reality of the Divine presence is worth more than all the possessions of earth.

Paul prayed this prayer for others :- “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”. Above his many desires for others, this gives true meaning to life. By comprehending the incomprehendable love of God in Christ, one finds true identity. To discover that I am a disciple “whom Jesus loves” , give real meaning to life and eternity.

There are those cherished moments, like a passing sunset, that causes us to sing ‘Hallelujah’. Caring for God’s creation can give meaning to life. Connecting with family is a worthy motive in life . But best of all is to enjoy God’s fatherly care. By looking up and looking forward we can claim the victory of redemption and say “Abba Father”

Enoch and Abraham both had this distinction in life :- ‘They walked with the Lord.’

Paul was willing to sacrifice everything, ‘that he might know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.’

Peter wrote of true maturity as being, full of selfless love in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To the unbeliever, these things may seem superficial and unreal. In the purpose of the creator, these unseen realities are the underlying powers for a good and fulfilled life. Not only this life, but also the life to come.

I do trust that you my reader have come to know God through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Let your life find meaning by getting to Know Him. This is eternal Life begun on earth.

johnmckee@internode.on.net