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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TEXT: ‘We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’ – Romans 8:28 THOUGHT: For those who love God and are obeying His call, this text is a wonderful promise. Paul writing to the Philippian church reminded them of this truth. Paul remembered how his evangelising at Philippi worked together for good – Acts 16:6-40 It was a result of divine direction. His plans came to a standstill, then in a night vision he saw a man saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” v9. This resulted in salvation. As Paul taught at the small riverside prayer meeting, God opened Lydia’s heart. This wealthy businesswoman became a Christian and immediately opened up her home to the Missions team. What followed next was persecution after Paul had cast out a demon from a young woman. Beaten and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas prayed and praised God at the midnight hour. Divine intervention followed in the form of an earthquake, releasing all the prisoners. Paul stopped the prison keeper from committing suicide and he became a Christian, together with all those in his household. The world may think it is in charge but the...
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TEXT: ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says, “Give careful thought to your ways”’– Haggai 1:7 THOUGHT: The Easter Good News is that there is absolutely nothing we have to pay to be saved. It is beyond man’s ability to come up with a price for salvation. This is freely given by a loving God in order that anyone and everyone can be saved. Jesus taught, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” If he gained the whole world it would still not be enough. How sad that people try to offer their wealth and good works to the God who offers us His Son. Easter is all about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how through that sacrificial act we could receive eternal life. Whilst money cannot buy our way into heaven, God is deeply interested in what we do with it on earth once we become a Christian. The work of God is hindered through lack of money This is true all over the world. Many a bride wanting the picturesque setting of a church wedding, has not the slightest intention of attending that church regularly and giving to help ensure its survival. The majority of UK churches are feeling financial...
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