TEXT: ‘When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him,”You are not far from the kingdom of God”’ – Mark 12:34 THOUGHT: One of the greatest mistakes a Christian can make is to encourage interested non-believers that they are not far from the kingdom of God. They use phrases like: keep on praying; it took me a long time too; God will reveal Himself to you soon. The truth is, God has commanded all men, everywhere to repent, in order that they may be saved. So all a person can and must do is “Repent”. Feelings do not need to come into it and in fact are usually a distraction and misleading. Obedience is the key. By faith a person obeys God’s command and the reward for doing that is very clear – forgiveness of all sins and the gift of eternal life! The Bible urges, ‘Right now God is ready to welcome you. Today he is ready to save you’ – 2 Corinthians 6:2 Living Bible. So why was it such an encouragement for Jesus to tell this scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God”? As we consider the context (see Mark 12:28-34), it will become apparent and an example for us too....
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TEXT: ‘But who do you say that I am?’ – Matthew 16:15 THOUGHT: The Saltash Regatta was held over the weekend of 17/18th June. Rowing competitions along the River Tamar combined with live music, all kinds of take-away food and stalls promoting charities, churches and local businesses. A baking-hot, dry, sunny day ensured thousands attended. Engage Saltash church was represented there on the Saturday only and the theme of its stall was, “Jesus – the Water of Life.” Very appropriate for thirsty people on that hot day and many times we were asked how much the bottles of water were. In fact we were giving them away free as a “thank you” for those who completed the Regatta Survey. The free gift of water helped to illustrate the free gift of salvation that Jesus gives to everyone who is willing to repent and put their trust in Him as their Saviour and Lord. The survey concentrated on five key questions. Do you believe in God? What do you believe will happen to you at the end of your life? What do you believe about Jesus? Is there a question you would like to ask God? Would you want to know God in a personal way? It was usually the...
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TEXT: ‘As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him, who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises’ – 2 Peter 1:3-4 THOUGHT: “But Daddy you promised!” How often this scenario occurs in the home, when either Mum or Dad fails to deliver on a promise made to their children. The UK election is in its final week of canvassing before voting takes place on June 8th. How many broken manifesto promises will there be whichever party forms the next government? Ecclesiastes 5:5 warns, ‘Better not to vow (promise) than to vow and not pay.’ This is especially important when making promises to God and then not carrying them through. Fortunately God is not like that, as Numbers 23:19 makes abundantly clear, ‘God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?’ Whilst reading 2 Peter I was struck by the several references to promises and in Today’s Teaching I want to highlight their significance. Peter starts his epistle...
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TEXT: ‘I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you’ – 2 Timothy 1:5 NLT THOUGHT: With what is happening throughout the world, it’s difficult to see how much longer things can continue before Jesus Christ returns. Yet as the years pass by so quickly we must reach out to our children so they can face the future with a personal faith. We cannot be born into Christianity Christian parents do not produce Christian babies. The Bible makes it so clear that everyone is born with a sinful nature. So everyone must be born again in order to be saved. Infant baptism is neither spiritual nor logical. Parents cannot repent for their baby’s sin any more than their baby could repent for theirs! We should dedicate our children to God and then do all we can to ensure they are brought up within a true Christian influence. That will make it all the more easier for them to choose Christ as their saviour at the earliest opportunity. Never forget to thank God for those who influenced you for good concerning Christianity Years after his conversion, Paul could still...
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TEXT: ‘All these things are against me’ – Genesis 42:36 THOUGHT: Jacob had never got over the loss of Joseph, the one he had made a coat of many colours for. Over 15 years later famine was sweeping the land and his sons return from buying wheat in Egypt minus one. They had left Simeon in prison with the words ringing in their ears, “He will not be released until you return with your youngest brother.” The thought of losing Rachel’s only other son Benjamin was too great, hence Jacob’s despairing cry, “All these things are against me!” Yet in all this, God’s plan for their survival and eventual reconciliation with Joseph was being woven together like a tapestry. God has made a promise that all things are working together for good The condition for this promise is that we love God and obey His calling for our life otherwise the opposite may happen as Jonah quickly found out. Today as you are reading this teaching, whatever adversity may be affecting your life, say out loud right now, “All things are working together for good because I love God and I am called according to His purpose.” It is much easier in blessing to look back and see God’s...
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