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

Imaginations, thoughts,............

2 Corinthians 5:10

“Every thought brought into captivity to Christ”

Paul saw himself as a soldier warring against the proud reasoning’s of man, arguments that oppose the truth. The true character of these arguments is described in the expression ‘against God’. It could be applied today to the reasoning of scientists, evolutionists, philosophers and religionists who have no room for God in their scheme of things. The Apostle was in no mood to sign a truce with these. Rather he felt committed to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. All men’s teachings and speculations must be judged in the light of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul would not condemn human reasoning as such, but would warn that we must not allow our intellects to be exercised in defiance of the Lord and in disobedience to HIM

W MacDonald (Believers Bible Commentary)

The lawmaker

I recently asked one hundred people this question:

“Who should decide what is right and what is wrong?”

The common answer was      -   “me”

Some answered     -  “God”

Herein is identified the great cause of confusion. The religion of ’ME ism’ has claimed greater authority than God. An example -The tenth commandment condemns covetousness as sin. The Lord Jesus Christ exposed greed as evil.

Yet our world promotes selfishness and greed as a virtue!

In the same questionnaire I asked ‘what is the meaning of repent.’

 Almost no one knew.

‘Expressing sorrow for doing wrong’    ...  is the only path that leads to God.

There is a way back to God

From the dark paths of sin

There is a door that is open and all may go in

At Calvary’s cross is where you begin

When you come as a sinner to Jesus.

Is heaven real

For thousands of years, humans have sought to find the key to living forever, or the detail of another life after death. Perhaps the greatest monuments to this endeavour are the pyramids of Egypt.

The concept of life after death, depends on two essentials:

1             God is – He is a supernatural spirit, above and beyond the limitations of time and space. He is in control of both the natural realm and the unseen spiritual.

2            We are more than flesh and blood. We are body, soul and spirit. This gives humans the capacity to live in the natural world, but also to interact with the spiritual. This assumes that the higher part of humans can consciously exist outside of the body.

Are these things verifiable?  So much in the natural realm shows evidence of a greater, yet unseen creator and sustainer.

History records such an one interacting with people in various ways.

We are occupied very much with things we can see, feel and hear, but like the spirit world, so much of our natural world is invisible. For example the air, the wind, light, water , electricity, radio, magnetism, data etc. As for spiritual existence apart from the body, many thousands of people testify to having died , left their bodies and consciously moved into another consciousness. A chap I worked with was totally convinced by his near death experience. He left his body and moved to another room where he could see and hear. Yet another man I met, had been to hell and back again. Many I have talked to, have had such ‘spiritual’ experiences. I do not build my hopes on these varied experiences, except to say they do testify that we are more than just natural, chemical bodies.

The teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the beginning of His teaching e.g. Matthew 5, He taught about heaven and the very real possibility that it could hold enjoyment  for us there. Rewards and riches would be given in heaven to those who faithfully followed Him. He spoke of heaven as the dwelling place of God the Father. It was the place to which He said He would return.

He taught that things would be different there. People would relate to one another as the angels do. Acquaintance with one another would be spiritual, not physical.

His prayer for His disciples was “that they might be with Him, that they might behold His glory” (John 17) . This was more than the splendour of earth or the anticipated kingdom. This was His glory as exalted at the Father’s right hand.

Just as He taught about heaven, so He taught about hell. He described it as a place of outer darkness, a place of torment where weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth prevailed. He described the horror of being  on the outside of a shut door. He spoke of the eternal destruction of the disobedient and the graphic horrors of self gratifying religious leaders. The Old Testament pictured the hopelessness of the grave, but the Lord identified the trauma of hell as a place of torment. Physical words are used to describe spiritual realities.

I recommend you take your Bible and notice, in the teachings of the Son of God, how often He referred to the unseen world, and our connection to it.

Paul put it this way “the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal’ (2 Corinthians 4.18)

If you don’t have a Bible, I may be able to supply one to you free.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

The next question to be answered is ‘Who goes to heaven?’  and ‘who goes to hell?’

I hope to answer this in my next post.

Beginnings - purpose

Where did we come from?

Does it matter??  Yes it is important  - this gives us identity, purpose and hope – or it should.

If this world came into existence as an accidental explosion , developing over billions of years without the influence of any intelligence or design, how has it arrived at such a finely tuned earth. Scientists acknowledge how finely tuned earth is for life to exist. The amount of gravity, the composition of the atmosphere, the heat from the sun are all just right. The complexity of the DNA that controls all living things is astounding. The DNA checking mechanisms that prevents mutations is brilliant. Some scientists state ‘total entropy always increases and the process is irreversible.’ (Wikipedia) What is ‘entropy?’ – the measure of disorder (Wikipedia)

What am I saying? It is much easier to believe that the present world was designed, created and maintained in functioning order.

Consider a human, smarter than a computer, creative in so many ways, relational , more than a chemical collection,  etc.  Could it be that we are the result of random accidents and endless evolutions. This gives no sense of purpose other than to survive and no hope beyond animalistic sensual satisfaction.

The option

Is there someone out there who has a purpose for humanity? Is there a future worth striving for?  Is the universe improving or is it in a state of entropy (demise) from a well ordered beginning?

The Bible as a compass is unashamed to present God as that someone who designed, who created and who maintains the world in which we live. He planned humans to be like himself – intelligent, relational, creative, etc.  Most of all He intended humans to connect with Him. This is the sad record of Bible history – humanity so often chooses to be independent of this spirit being (God )  who was the architect  of it all. Yet the same historical record, tells of God interacting with many individuals through the many years.

Jesus Christ confirmed our origin “He who created them from the beginning made them male and female.” ( Matthew 19.4)

Peter confirmed God as a living , reliable creator – “let those who suffer according to God’s will, entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”  (1Peter 4.19) Notice in this is consolation, purpose and hope.

Paul's letter to the Romans begins with a very sad outline of ‘entropy’  - humanity rejecting the creator and descending into idolatry, immorality and eventually death.

Praise God that He has interrupted the course of human history by sending His Son on a rescue mission.

By HIM _The Lord Jesus Christ – all can be reconciled to God!

Try reading the Bible as a history book  - you may be surprised how much it makes sense!

John McKee

Questions

Questions worth pondering.

Where have we come from?

Where are we headed to?

What is the purpose of life?

How should we live?

Is life a brief journey without rules, without purpose, without destiny?

Maybe you would like to sent me your answers!

johnmckee@internode.on.net

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

Unusual question

What is God’s favourite colour?  

Answer -  I really don’t know.

       But as I look out my window, I see the golden glow of the rising sun, the light blue of the sky, the varying greens of the trees and the odd appearance of brown earth. A little bird flys by with red on its chest and patterns of white feathers in its tail. Another is smooth grey with a black head.. The I rise up and glance at the flowers. I am awestruck at the brilliant yellows, the deep crimson red of another and the pure white of the lily.

        I conclude that the one who wrote the DNA code that produces these varied, beautiful colours, is both extremely intelligent, wise, creative and caring. Take time out today to wonder at the brilliant colours of God’s creation. Let the light itself show you His handiwork, and then remember that light itself is made up of blended colours. And then think of your eye with the ability to see these varying colours, a brain to interpret the mix of electrical impulses from the eye and then a mouth to say “Praise the Lord”.

         What does the Bible say about God and colours?  One instance  stands out – the tabernacle building erected by the Israelites was to have these major colours – on a base of pure white, they were to use needlework of blue, purple and scarlet red. The gate , the door and the veil were to be distinct by these colours. Did they mean anything? Yes .              They were colour pictures of Jesus, the way into God’s presence. Blue tells us that He is the Lord from heaven , purple tells us that He is God’s appointed King, Red tells us of the pure and holy man who gave his life to save the people who come to God through Him. What a colourful way to illustrate how we can come to God. Jesus said “ I am the way , the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me” John 14.6

One wrote a beautiful hymn ( You might like to listen to it on ‘youtube’)

        ‘The wonder of sunset at evening

           The wonder of sunrise I see

        But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

            Is the wonder that God loves me’

Johnmckee@internode.on.net

Another Question Many are Afraid to Ask

Why does God send people to judgement?

       Does God send people to judgement? – yes. Or is it that people send themselves to judgement? – yes. Is the judgement now or after death? – both.

I would like to spend a moment on this important and debated subject.

      In the Bible, in Exodus 34:7, we read of God revealing His character. Among other things He says – “Who will by no means clear the guilty”.

I have heard preachers pass over this statement, favouring only the statements that God is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. These indeed are precious details of God’s character but to ignore His justice is rather distressing. His mercy becomes very shallow, if we do not understand His justice in dealing with guilt.

      We could draw a parallel to a judge in a courtroom today. What value would a judge have who persists in letting an offender off each time a crime is committed? Whether it be the law of the land or the law of natural justice, we expect the judge to uphold the law and its penalties, yet have the ability to pardon if true remorse or restitution is evident. Likewise, what kind of god would he be who either delighted in cruel punishment, or alternatively did not implement law or justice?

Next Question 2

Why does God love us so much?

       Some of you will begin to understand why I love these questions from my school students. They unveil  the real thoughts of these young minds.

      Have you ever pondered the above question? Why should God love us so much? I like the question because it takes us beyond the notion that God ‘owes it to us’. I like the question because it indicates a recognition that ‘I am not worthy’ of God’s love.

       My short answer is –  God chooses to love us. (In keeping with His character).

       My long answer is – to refer to the Bible as our compass, “God is love”  (1 John ). Let us remember that the Bible word for love is ‘agape’. This is different to  some emotional feeling. Even more than family affection. God’s love is deeper, intelligent, not blind, not bland. God evaluates us, and in spite of our unworthiness, chooses to love us with an eternal care, delivering grace, inspiring enlightenment.

     Modern thought has suggested that God loves us because we are unique or special, or made in God’s image or we do our best – no, no. Others have insisted that our actions have no effect on God loving us – Both streams of thought are contradicted by the Bible.

     Lets ponder a most significant Bible verse – Romans 5:8

“but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

This love is then related to God at work for those unworthy sinners (Romans 5-8), God reconciling, God justifying, God sanctifying, God setting free, God destining to glory, and comes to this conclusion

“What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that,  who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  ...............

..in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who LOVED us .........

...Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.   

      

       Please pause and read Romans chapter 8, verses 31 to 39 to see the real purpose and power of God’s love.

     John the apostle also wrote much about God’s love:

“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). It is helpful for people to know that God loves them, but the reality of God’s love is seen in His action. God so loved the people of this world that He gave His only begotten Son...........

I could continue for a long time on this subject. Rather I ask you to scan through the New Testament and highlight the mentions of God’s love -  it will transform your thinking and change your heart.

       Such is the grace effected by the active love of God, that those who own up to their rebellion and guilt before God, turn to trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour – they become children in God’s family and given eternal life. 

This attitude is captured so well in the  words of Paul  - “the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me”

‘Thank you Jesus

Thank you Lord for loving me

You went to Calvary

And there you died for me,

Thank you Lord for loving me.’

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Next Question

“ What does it mean to be with God? “

     About five and a half thousand years ago, a man named Enoch was known to walk with God. One day when he was older, history says, God took him – meaning, he did not die, but was translated from earth to be with God! (Genesis 5:23, Hebrews 11:5). Much the same happened to Elijah. Moses died as an old man and God buried him. Moses body was dead, but he reappeared again one and a half thousand years later talking to Jesus on one of the mountains in Israel, along with Elijah. (Matthew 17:3). So although his body was dead, he himself was alive with God.

    For those who doubt the idea of life after death, just ask the people around you, and you are sure to find someone who has clinically died for a few minutes and come back again. The ones I have talked to have all assured me of an existence after death. There are hundreds of such stories on the internet.

    But more important than the testimony of men, is the teaching of the word of God – the Bible.

     The Lord Jesus said to the dying thief, “today you will be with Me in paradise” – this indicated not only His own existence after death, but also for the unworthy criminal beside Him. A condition, not of annihilation, but free from pain in a place of pure pleasure. Paul the apostle likewise waited for the day to arrive when he would be “absent from the body and present with the Lord”.

      Perhaps the question relates to ‘what it is like to be with God?’  Well, paradise was mentioned by the Lord on the cross as the opposite to pain, pollution, shame and suffering.     “With God”, includes nearness to God in His holiness, His love, His brilliant light. With God involves change – to be changed from the offensive , wandering self to become someone  who is able to fit into a place where all is perfect.

      John the apostle had a vision of those who were beheaded for Christ’s sake – they were in heaven, they could speak, they found acceptance there because of the alter (symbolic of the death of Christ) Revelation 6:9

To be with God after the resurrection is described as being in a divine city where there are no more tears of grief, no pain, no darkness, no shame. A place of real life – eternal life. A place of real light – the knowledge of God in Christ. A place of real love – for God is love.

  

      The person who overcomes the lies of this world, overcomes the unbelief in one’s own heart, to then believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says  - “I will be his God , and he will be my son .” (Revelation 21.7)

It was rather special the last night I was with my conscious father in the hospital before he died. I miss his quiet presence, his words, his smile.  What will it be like to be “with my Father (God) who is in Heaven” –to see and feel the brilliance of His presence, to hear His voice and to see His smile!  ( and maybe my earthly father will be waiting for me there too).

“With Christ which is far better” ( Philippians 1.23)

Johnmckee@internode.on.net

Questions

Another question from the children at school

          What was the most important thing Jesus did?

A very good question. Many celebrate His birth, when He who was rich became poor. That was special. The Gospel records make much of His healing and teaching. I like to think of His marvellous power to calm the storm. 

          But the Lord Jesus made it clear that the real mission of His life was to rescue lost people, and this required Him dying for them. His sufferings on the cross did seem unjust, from a human point of view, but His own comments clear up the matter.

Luke 24:40  ‘it is written (Old Testament) and it was necessary for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead the third day, that repentance and forgiveness of sins might be preached in his name to all nations.’

           I am certain that this is the greatest thing Jesus did – “ to offer Himself , to bear the sins of many” Hebrews 9:28

        Well might we respond – ‘My sins deserve eternal death, but Jesus died for me”.

John McKee

Questions children ask

What language was the 1^st Bible?

           The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years by various people. The first five books written by Moses 3,500 years ago, were written in Hebrew. By the time of Daniel, the Aramaic language had come into common use. Some of Ezra and Daniel’s writings were in Aramaic. When Jesus was born,(2000 years ago) , the dominant languages were Aramaic and Greek. The New Testament was written in common Greek, although I have a copy of the New Testament in Aramaic written about 150 AD.

          The Bible is indeed a special book of God communicating to the people, but written in language the people could understand. Paul said we must speak “understandable words” (1Corinthians 14:19) and I admire and support those who spend their lives translating the Bible into the ‘heart languages’ of the people of the world.

Remember;

          ‘God still speaks to those who take the time to listen’

So :

          “Let the words if Christ in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise”   - Colossians 3.16

johnmckee@internode.on.net   questions welcome!

Question above questions

The Question      ‘Do you know the Lord?’

      Whether it be in life or the life to come, the answer to this one question determines the direction and destiny of a persons’ life. Some people know a lot about Jesus, but the point of relationship is to know Him, to believe in Him, to trust Him, to obey Him.  He is indeed the Lord, the Saviour of all who ‘call upon Him’. Although He is so great (the creator of all), He is not a distant , unknowable deity, but rather by His Holy Spirit, He is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, each one, and can be known by them.

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me” John 10.27

This acquaintance with the shepherd is beautifully expressed in Psalm 23. David the shepherd, looked up, and as a dependant sheep, and said the “Lord is my Shepherd.”

 

        Another example of this intimacy of the divine with the creature, is in the story of Mary the sister of Lazarus. Mary was the quieter one who let the Lord be in charge. When Lazarus her brother died, it was the Good Shepherd who saw her deep grief and wept with her. This points to the divine sympathy of the Lord Jesus expressed in human tears. John 11.

In the next chapter, the unmeasurable love of the Great shepherd is rewarded  with the devotion of the sheep – Mary takes a very expensive bottle of ointment and pours it on the feet of the Lord Jesus. Judas calculated this use of the ointment to be waste, but He who knew and appreciated the love of Mary, accepted this token of worship as the true priority of worship.  Many there are today who claim to follow the shepherd, but few give Him the true intimacy and devotion of heart for which He longs.

       The last book of the Bible has this revealing invitation:

“Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and will open the door, I will come in to him/her and will eat with him, and he with Me”  Revelation 3:20

       I plead with my readers to settle for nothing less.

  The seriousness of knowing Him is found in the prophetic statement of the Lord Himself.

“ Then will he say to them, depart from me I never knew you” Matthew 7:23

      Is it any wonder that the burning ambition of Paul was:

“That I might know HIM........................”  Philippians 3:10

johnmckee@internode.on.net