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.

Going God's way

 

Living by the power of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:15

So be careful how you live, not as fools, but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making music to the Lord in your hearts.

And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Each Day -purpose

Purpose and grace

These two words have stood out as I meditated on 2 Timothy chapter 1. Read the chapter and follow how these two words express great truth.

Verse 9 "Called and saved , not according to our works".

We are so blessed, not as a reward for what we might do or plan to do, but rather we are saved according to God's purpose and grace.

In one sense this is humiliating to me - God hasn't recognised all my good intentions and achievements. He does not build up my self esteem. He does not encourage my pride. He does not encourage my personal agenda. What He does recognise is faith in Jesus Christ the Lord. This is just like the words of the Lord Jesus to many people "your faith (in Me) has saved you".

In the big picture of life, this truth of God's purpose and grace is liberating and stabilising. Being accepted by God is not depending on how good or bad I am. The kindness of His grace (undeserved favour), brings forgiveness for all sins. He accepts all persons who trust in Jesus Christ the Lord. Jesus came from heaven and is the Saviour who is now alive from the dead. This brings peace of mind, that by believing in HIM,  one will not go to hell but have the gift of eternal life.

But there is more.  Instead of getting up and doing the best I can to please God, rather I can get up and move forward according to the PURPOSE of God! He has planned that I should live in 'love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control'. But is this possible?  Yes, by His Holy Spirit, by waiting on Him in prayer and Bible meditation it is possible. God does care about the detail of every day and we can trust Him to guide us .

But there is more. The bigger picture described in this chapter presents God the LORD at work saving people through the Gospel. Most of all, God plans for people to have freedom through Jesus Christ the Lord. So the real purpose for us as individuals is not our self interest, but to be involved in His purpose of rescuing people from darkness into the freedom that only Jesus Christ can give. Timothy was timid, but Paul encouraged him to press forward by God's power in the purpose of the Gospel.

So each day as we rise from thanking God for His love, we  look out the window and the decisions must be made:

-       Will I live today for myself?

-      Will I take up the cross of denying self, to follow Jesus?

-      Will I give up my plans and fit into His purposes for life?

-      Will I trust Him to care for me in all things?

This can be a very happy experience because 'we know in whom we have believed' and we are sure 'that He is able to keep until that Day what He has entrusted to us"

May God bless you all as you read through this Bible chapter again.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

God at work

The evidence of God in a Christian.

A person becomes a Christian by believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died as a sacrifice for our sins and rose again from the dead.

One of the first evidences of the holy spirit changing a person is their desire to worship God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Worship is the adoration of the LORD God and may include singing.

The developing evidence will be the changed life. Instead of a self centred life will be the following:

"Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."   (Galatians 5:22)

Let me explain.

To love as God the Father loves – even our enemies.

To have joy in knowing God as Father, one who cares and responds to those who seek Him.

Living in peace, trusting the Lord through the storms and necessities of life.

A kindness that conquers self interest for the benefit of others.

Goodness is the response to need- a generosity unusual.

Faithfulness is rare. To be trustworthy in word and action – no lies or deceit.

Gentleness instead of anger and violence is the evidence of God at work.

Self-control is the ability to restrain reaction to provocation by others. We are all tempted to react too harshly or too kindly.

When God by His Holy Spirit is working in our lives, this will be the fruit (evidence).

These evidences can be seen in the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ when He taught – see Matthew 5-7

Please notice these evidences are not natural – some might be seen in 'good people'. They are best seen in those who acknowledge that "in me, that is in my flesh dwells no good thing".  Again – "I am crucified with Christ ... and the life that I now live , I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me"  (Galatians 2:20)

How does this work:

The Bible is God's word

I am unworthy, a sinner

I will trust in Jesus Christ as my LORD and my GOD

I will obey Him

Then you can taste the love, joy, peace the Holy Spirit gives.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

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

Tragedy!

Reviewing history

If you like nightmares, read history!  The history of mankind seems to be one long narrative of tragedy and suffering. The last 150 years is perhaps one of the worst records of human trauma, and there seems to be no end to disasters in sight.

Thinking people ask why?

Historians ask ‘why don’t we learn from history?’

Religious people ask ‘ where is God in all this?’

Forecasters ask ‘Is the world getting better or worse?’

Young people say ‘What’s the point of living?’

And so hopelessness sets in.

Is there an answer?  At school we are studying Genesis. In these pages we are finding the fundamental causes.- Listening to the wrong voice!  Blaming others instead of accepting responsibility , envy that ends in murder, rejection of God and His ways – finally ending in global disaster!   Well nothing much is new today!

Next blog – there is an answer!

John McKee

Freedom with liberty

For those who read the Bible verses from Ephesians, I hope that you noticed the repeated encouragement to choose good. The potential for wrong was evident. The opportunity to choose right was encouraged – this is freedom.

In another place , the Christians were tempted to adopt Moses law as their rule of life. But Paul the apostle warned them:

“So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

The law is good, but the adoption of it to please the Lord is a bondage no one has been able to bear. Even to the privileged Jews it was written:

“But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the Law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children.  God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts and now you can call God your dear Father.”

Galatians 4.4

This is true freedom with the power to choose good.

This is real freedom to enjoy God.

This is why the Lord Jesus Christ encouraged people to look up and pray:

“Our Father in heaven, honoured be your Name.”

johnmckee@internode.on.net

True freedom

Freedom from Fear

My deliberations continue to be influenced by the peoples coming to Toowoomba to live. It is not hard to discern that the greatest problem is fear. Many have come from lands of war and genocide. Young people are suffering from PTSS, having watched close relatives murdered in their presence. Others are here because they come from situations where they cannot trust anyone, not even their own family. Others have fear of failure, struggling with learning English and trying to support a family. Many live in fear of failing in religious duties, for example, not fulfilling the rules, fear of judgement day, fear of breaking caste traditions, fear of family dishonour.  Some operate in dread of the Police , not understanding that in this country, the Police are here for the people, not against the people.

So what is the answer to this devastating disease of fear? Education helps, but a better cure is in having an understanding of the true character of God, specifically as revealed in Jesus Christ. I could trace so many of the world problems to other religions. For example :- the terror that flows from ‘Judgement day ‘ prospects, the poverty of millions because of the imbedded caste system, the grinding surveillance of millions because of atheism, the greed that has flowed from hijacked Christianity.

Let me present the positive!

God is so great that we should reverentially fear Him. This is not the dread of some sinister deity. Rather it is giving Him the honour of His holiness and His right as the Creator to bring all peoples to account.

God in His character is Love. This has been and still is known in His communications of mercy and acts of grace (undeserved kindness). Millions of lives have been changed from fear to freedom by knowing and trusting Him. This is a spiritual regeneration which creates individual connection with the living God. Most religions are about rules and ritual. True Christianity is about connection and comprehension.

1    Connecting with the living God as Father to children

2    Comprehending God as revealed in Jesus Christ

This changes the whole way of thinking and living. This can filter through to the foundations and fabric of society to  remove fear and bondage. In actual fact the Australian citizenship training book, points to this as the foundation of Australian ‘freedom’.

Let me explain:

Christians obey God because we love Him.(that flows on to loving others. Loving in spite of unworthiness)

Christians understand God, because Jesus Christ has given a full and final revelation of God (making relationship with Him a great joy and cause for praise)

I well understand there are many forms of false Christianity, but I am pointing my readers to the God revealed in the Bible, not the systems of religious imagination. There have been and still are supposedly Christian groups who control the people by fear.

I encourage you to read the Bible. Have a look at 1 John chapter 4, to discover such precious, positive words:

“And we have seen, and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him and He in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. 

God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement, because as He is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear

We love, because HE FIRST loved us!”

Bibles free at johnmckee@internode.on.net

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

Must

You MUST be born again (born from above) 
                                   John 3.7

Even so MUST the Son of Man be lifted up  (on a cross)
                                      John 3.14

He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease  (The Lord preeminent )
                                           John 3.30

Telling others

Psalm 107

“Has the LORD redeemed you?

Then speak out, tell others He has saved you from your enemies.”

This verse of the song  identifies a Christian distinctive. – speaking, singing because of grace.

Many religions are the imposition of rules and regulations by some form of dominating hierarchy. In contrast , true Christianity was intended to be the expression of gratitude for grace received. It was Jesus who said to the  healed demoniac :

“Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you.”

It is when love has conquered for us , and in us that we reach out to tell others.

A selfish , self centred Christian  is not really a Christian.

An interesting measure of grace at work in a believer is the ‘singing’ to the Lord.  One who lives on the level of the world has no song. The believer who enjoys  victory over sin and the world will sing,  or at least try to. (Maybe like David, to the sheep, or like me , to the Kookaburras’ ! ).

“Singing to yourselves in Psalms, Hymns and spiritual songs,  singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.”     Ephesians 5