TEXT: ‘Abraham called the name of the place, The Lord will provide; as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”’ – Genesis 22:14 THOUGHT: One of God’s covenant names is Jehovah-Jireh. The One who provides! This name has been a revelation and blessing to countless thousands of Christians down through the ages, who have witnessed God’s miraculous provision in times of great need. It has also been the subject of sermons advocating a prosperity where God can step in and change our finances and fortune. As most people do not live within their means but are usually over-stretched by debt repayments, the promise of a God who will provide sounds almost too good to be true! A God who will always pick up the tab whatever our lifestyle, is somewhat at variance with the truth the Holy Spirit showed me when reading this verse. So what can we learn that will help us? It is in the Mount of the Lord that miraculous provision occurs – ‘In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided’ All too often people want God to come into their world and do a miracle, but God wants us to come into His world...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘”Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Take heed that no one deceives you.”’ – Matthew 24:3-4 THOUGHT: Both Daniel and John heard and saw things about the end of this world as we know it, but they did not fully understand, nor were allowed to reveal a clearer picture of what will happen at that time. When Jesus taught His disciples about His second coming, they too tried to find out when it would take place, but Jesus was unable to reveal the date. 1 The Jehovah Witnesses and other cults have foolishly claimed to know that date of Christ’s literal return, but when that date came and went with no return, they had to hold their hands up and admit their error. Just as the birth of Jesus, although prophesied in the Old Testament, caught most people out as to where and when it would take place, so too it will be with His second coming. What can we learn from the prophecies of Daniel, John and others that will help us to be ready? If the fact that Jesus will return does...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘It is good to give thanks to the Lord’ – Psalm 92:1 THOUGHT: The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about an end-time generation that would be “unthankful”.1 People who demand their “rights” regardless of the costs involved, and do not appreciate what has been given to them. Today parents have much more difficulty training their children to say “thank you”, as well-mannered role models in the media are being rapidly replaced by those who are rude, grabbing, immoral, anything goes entertainers. Little wonder when children want to imitate them. I like to say grace before a meal for several reasons. It allows everyone to start eating at the same time, helping to prevent the preparer from sitting down to eat theirs when everyone else’s plate has been cleared. It reminds us to be thankful that we have something to eat when countless millions around the world live on empty stomachs. It also allows us to say thank you for the one who has prepared the meal. It’s amazing how much quicker it is to eat the meal than to prepare it. Our text reminds us it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord. Is the God in heaven so insecure that it affects Him when people...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen’ – Romans 11:36 THOUGHT: When God says, “All things,” He means, “All!” When reading Romans Chapter 8 recently, my attention was drawn to this phrase, “All things” which appears three times. These form the basis for Today’s Teaching. All things work together for good – v28 There are two provisos to this promise, lest people should think that just anyone is included in this statement. Firstly, it is for those who love God. Not just those with a belief in God, but those with a love for the one true God. Love can be inclusive, ‘For God so loved the world.’ 1 But it also can be exclusive, as the marriage vows indicate. “Will you love … forsaking all other?” Some wrongly assert that they can love God but include other gods as well. God is a jealous God and it grieves Him if you try to place others alongside Him. Secondly, it is for those who are the called according to His purpose. Jonah loved God and had been called to go to Nineveh to warn them of impending judgment. When he chose to disobey that call and head...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you’ – 1 Corinthians 14:18 Amplified Bible THOUGHT: It has been thrilling recently to see people in Engage Saltash church plant warming to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking with other tongues. Some of those had been disappointed in the past by not experiencing this miraculous phenomena when prayed for and ended up wrongly thinking God did not want them to receive. Others were the product of wrong teaching or ignorance in the churches they had previously attended. But by slowly studying the scriptures, doubt and disappointment was replaced by desire and then the delight of receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit in the same way as the Bible promised it would happen! Paul, writing to the Pentecostal church in Corinth said, “I speak in tongues more than you all.” That could have meant he spoke with other tongues more than anyone else in the church or more than all of them put together! Why were they under-using the precious gift of tongues? Why was it so important to Paul? Far too many Christians receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit, speak with other tongues, but fail to continue to do so...
Learn More
Recent Comments