TEXT: ‘Building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life’ (Jude v20-21) THOUGHT: Jude’s epistle is one of the smaller books in the New Testament but no less significant. The last book before Revelation, (which describes the end-time scenes this world will experience), Jude’s exhortation can help us to be ready for tough times ahead, whenever and whatever they may be. Jude was one of Jesus’ brothers. 1 It’s interesting to realise that he started out with his own doubts about Jesus, just like many people do. The Bible says, ‘For His own brothers did not believe in Him’ (John 7:5). Similarly David’s brothers were dismissive of his calling and anointing to be king, yet they ended up relying on his protection and served in his kingdom. The same happened with Jesus’ brothers. Overcoming doubts, they were filled with the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost, 2 and went on to serve Jesus in His kingdom. This fact should encourage every one of us that doubts are not necessarily a barrier to serving God, for as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can...
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TEXT: ‘Then he said, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard”’ (Acts 22:14-15) THOUGHT: In his epistle Peter refers to Christians as, ‘A chosen generation’.1 Jesus said, ‘You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit’.2 Also He said, ‘Many are called but few are chosen’.3 What a wonderful privilege to be chosen! Remember that when the world rejects you and what you stand for, Jesus has chosen you! Our text reveals four reasons why God has chosen you. To Know His Will What is the first thing God wants us to do? To believe in Jesus and to follow Him! God’s ways are not our ways, so His will has to be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. God’s will does not make sense to our carnal mind but it does to our born again spirit. Christianity is a battle of the wills, ours and God’s. Who will come out on top? ‘Not my will but Yours be done!’4 To See the Just One Saul of Tarsus may have seen Jesus die as a young onlooker. He certainly saw Stephen...
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TEXT: ‘So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking’ (Genesis 19:14 NLT) THOUGHT: Have you ever tried telling someone something important only for them to think you are joking? This was the scenario Lot found himself in, trying to warn his sons-in-law of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God’s judgment on these wicked cities is something people find hard to equate with a ‘God who loved the world so much that He gave His only son’ (John 3:16). Yet this event was referred to by Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Jesus. If the One who said, ‘I am the truth’, referred to it on at least three separate occasions, then it must be true, for Jesus cannot lie. Today’s Teaching is about Lot and his efforts to try to save himself and his family from God’s judgment. There are three key points to consider. Someone was praying for Lot Abraham, Lot’s uncle, had been a father figure to him when he came with him to Canaan.1 Abraham was not only caring but gracious too, for he allowed Lot first choice of the land when prosperity meant...
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TEXT: ‘Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often’ (Luke 2:19 NLT) THOUGHT: Today’s Teaching centres on two questions. Firstly, “What is God saying in the midst of this Coronavirus?” Secondly, “Will the Coronavirus nullify what God has said in the past?” I want to encourage you to do what Mary did. What God said or is now saying, hide it in your heart and think it over. Let it become part of you, for if God has really said it, it will surely come to pass. Learn to accept not reject When Gabriel announced to Mary she would have a baby, her first response was, “How could this happen, since I am a virgin and unmarried?”1 Then she replied, “Let it be to me according to your word.”2 After Jesus was born, excited shepherds arrived at the stable telling everyone about their encounter with angels.3 Mary’s response was to keep these things in her heart. She was hiding God’s word on the inside. When Jesus was twelve years old, He was taken to Jerusalem. Instead of returning with His family, He stayed on. After a frantic three day search, they found Him in the temple talking with the religious teachers.4 Mary did not...
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TEXT: ‘Because you have prayed to Me’ (Isaiah 37:21) THOUGHT: We are now into the fourth week of lockdown, with another two to go at the least. Early Thursday morning I was reading in the Book of Isaiah how King Hezekiah reacted to his lockdown. There are four key things to consider that will help us too. They were shut in Jerusalem was in lockdown due to the invading Assyrian army. It was too dangerous to venture outside the city gates, so the Jews were under siege. Some were better equipped to cope than others, due to wealth, influence or resources. Others were desperate for food. This is true today. Many will come through the Coronavirus crisis virtually unscathed with finances intact. Other than the frustration of a changed lifestyle and of course the thought that they might have been the virus’ next victim, life will quickly return to some sense of normality. For countless others, it is a totally different situation. Their lives are now full of uncertainty, fear and hardship. With a future unknown, life will be anything but normal. Although the enemy had caused the Jews to be shut in, they were not shut off from God. Over them was an open heaven. It was this...
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TEXT: ‘“Mary!” Jesus said. She turned toward him. “Master!” she exclaimed’ (John 20:16 TLB) THOUGHT: The previous Today’s Teaching theme was “Jesus is Greater!” We see the truth of this in the life of Mary Magdalene. What a wonderful Jesus we have, so loving and caring. Her Demons – ‘Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons’ (Luke 8:2) Mary had seven demons. What they were, how they had affected her and for how long she had had them is not known. The Bible does make clear that demons are unclean, destructive and create untold misery to those they possess. Life is never pleasant when they are around. Most people feel powerless to overcome a demon but not Jesus! Her Deliverance What Mary had suffered from for years, Jesus delivered her from in a second! The Bible has many accounts of people in pain and misery for years, even from birth, yet Jesus was able to set them free in no time at all. How? ‘God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil’ (Acts 10:38). As Jesus is the same, yesterday and today and for ever, what He did...
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