Why read the Bible?

Truth is too good to be viewed as a list. The word of God offers a faithful description of reality. The difference between a flourishing and a failing life frequently hinges on where we have made the effort to discover and live in reality. This is why we want to understand Scripture.

ML

The return of Jesus Christ

Most Christians are happy to think that the Lord Jesus Christ will return and put things right.

But I ask the important question – what do we want to see achieved by His coming?

I will give a list and you can decide:

1             Set Christians free from pain and suffering.

2            Establish justice in the world.

3            Take revenge for persecuted Christians.

4            Raise those who have died.

5            Restore Israel to faith in the Messiah.

6            Remove all unbelievers.

7            Establish His throne in Jerusalem

8            Vindicate God as creator and judge.

9            Reward faith and faithfulness.

10         Declare to all, that Jesus is the Son of God.

11          Wipe away all tears of grief and sorrow.

12         Judge all sin, violence, blaspheme, rebellion etc

13         .......................................

14         ................................................................

Each one of us should stop and consider the answer – is it ourselves we are thinking of, or is it others, or is it the Lord!

My personal answer is :- I long to see the rejected Lord Jesus vindicated as the Son of God, the true Messiah, the only Saviour for the world.

“Amen ,  even so come Lord Jesus”

Mark 12

Mark 12

In chapter 11, the Lord has presented Himself to Israel at the right time   (Daniel 9),   in the right place (Jerusalem),   in the right manner ( on a donkey).

A crowd rightly received Him, but the leaders of the Jews rejected Him saying ‘Who is this’. Likewise they rejected His forerunner  - John the baptiser.

Mark 12:

1   By a  parable He identifies Himself as the “Son”.

2   In answer to the tax question, He presents scriptural wisdom.

3    Responding about the resurrection – He unveils His intimate knowledge of heaven.

4   The response to the question of the scribe, brings to the fore His full knowledge of the Old Testament scripture  and the ultimate meaning of life.

5   By quoting Psalm 110, He claims to be greater than king David, yet heir to David’s throne , yea rather a greater throne. King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I recommend you read this chapter through and see the objective teaching of the glory of the Lord.

John McKee

Who is God

Who is this God that has loved the whole world?

In the book of the Revelation His glory and grace are beautifully combined:

Alpha and Omega  (the beginning and end of Divine revelation)

Beginning and end  (the original cause and final culmination of all created things)

Who gives the water of life freely (the only source of true life and eternal life)

“I will be his God and he shall be my son” ( Although so great, this God chooses to connect and relate to us creatures as family)

Much more is revealed of His holy judgements, His brilliant throne, His multivaried attendants, but the most breathtaking revelation is the mighty one coming out of the throne -  the Lion who appears as the Lamb. He indeed is the representative of God to us humans. He is God’s Son, the Word, the Christ.  He said of Himself “I am Jesus”!

Trust Him today

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

The world

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.       John 3.16

This precious verse from the Bible, here quoted from the ‘Authorized version’, remains forever relevant.

I desire to highlight just one word  -  ‘world’

Most religions promote the idea that God loves only a select people. Jews, Muslims, and some Christians try to limit God’s love to a favoured few. John, the writer was privileged to grow up as a devout Jew, but after travelling with Jesus, and being taught by the Holy Spirit, said  - “God so loved the world”

This may well include the thought that God loved the whole ‘cosmos’, for He made it perfectly and for a purpose. But I think the focus here is on the fact that God love all the people of the world – the good , the bad, the rich , the poor, all nationalities, all tribes, everyone!   His love is all embracive in spite of our unworthiness.  His love is more than general, it is particular, as He knows and cars about each individual.  He certainly does not love the wicked habits or sinful deeds done in defiance of His standards, yet He loves.

His love is not going soft on sin. His love is expressed best by what He did to win back wandering humans to Himself  - He GAVE His ‘Only begotten Son’ - Jesus Christ. This is a subject for another day.

I want you the reader to catch the truth that God loves you.

You may not feel it, but if you believe it you will be blessed!

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”