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Word from Nairnshire

    by Sandy Shaw

November 16, 2010

The young man, having comes to his senses, returns home. Father spots him and, moved with compassion, runs to his boy.

As his runaway son tries to blurt out a confession, father interrupts and welcomes him home.

There is no row, nor the demand for the promise of, “Now, don’t you do that again”.

The father is generously unselfish as he arranges for clothing, food and rejoicing.

Was this not what he went off to find? The good life is to be found under the father’s roof.

“But what is going on in there?” A party is taking place,…  ( Click for more )

November 9, 2010

He was waiting for me to return. Every day since I left he had been looking for me to appear. Each morning he wondered if it would be today.

Father was concerned and anxious about the one who went astray. After all it was his son.

He had made such a mess of things, having squandered all his money. He wanted freedom and fun, living it up in a strange country. He blew the lot and had nothing to show for it, but regrets.

He rejected and despised the privileges of his father’s house, and for a while he even forgot all about his father, but his father never forgot about…  ( Click for more )

November 2, 2010

As repentance is closely associated with revival, which is a visitation of God, then we had better know what it means, and what is involved.

If we are at all concerned about a fresh visitation of God upon our land, classically called revival, then repentance is never far away.

Repent was the first word Jesus Christ preached when he launched his ministry.

When John the Baptist walked onto the world’s scene, his initial theme was repentance.

Three years later, when the ascended Lord Jesus Christ birthed the Church, and crowds wanted to know what they should do…  ( Click for more )

October 26, 2010

What is revival? Is there a need for revival? How can we help bring about revival?

For a number of years groups have been meeting regularly with the specific intention of calling upon God, in prayer, for revival.

Revival is frequently mentioned amongst committed disciples of Jesus Christ. They know the need for revival is immense.

The situation in our nation is critical, as is the situation throughout the world.

Revival is a visitation of God.

God visits His people afresh and anew, with a special purpose, and that which was dead comes to life.

Looking at the…  ( Click for more )

October 19, 2010

It all began with a personal testimony, but it did not end there.

Sharing your testimony as to how you met Jesus Christ and how you came to believe in Jesus Christ is important.

Have you ever given your testimony? Have you used the opportunities and openings which God has given you to share your faith? Do the people around you in your family and neighbourhood and work know your story, even though they may not pay much attention to it?

These Samaritans came to believe, not just because of the woman’s testimony, but because they had heard Jesus, and they knew that…  ( Click for more )

October 12, 2010

She was quite contented just talking away to Jesus, even acknowledging that one day God would sort out all the mess, by sending the Messiah, and then at that point Jesus Christ revealed, “I who speak to you am he”.

This scenario began all so simply. Jesus rests by a well. A woman comes out to draw water. Jesus asks for a drink and suddenly she is faced with the reality of having a conversation with the Messiah, the Son of God.

The disciples return from having been to the local shop buying provisions, and they are quite surprised when they see Jesus talking with…  ( Click for more )

October 5, 2010

When Jesus Christ spoke to that Samaritan woman, of the refreshing bubbling bouncing living water of the Holy Spirit, she verges on becoming flippant. Lead me to it then, and I’ll never need to trek out here to this well.

The deeper Jesus went in this astonishing conversation, the shallower she became.

Have you ever noticed that? You are being serious, and others treat it all so lightly, trying to laugh it off, or explain it away.

Never joke when Jesus is being serious.

Never use spiritual truths as material for humour. That is a dangerous way to live.

Jesus…  ( Click for more )

September 28, 2010

You would have been thirsty too, but would you have asked for a drink from a stranger with whom you had no associations?

It is noon, and it is hot, and Jesus has walked along that rough road. He sits by a well while his disciples go into the village to buy provisions.

A woman comes out for water. What an unusual hour to be drawing water. Early morning, or when the sun goes down, is the time for collecting water.

Jesus, the king of the Jews, asks this Samaritan woman for a drink, and she hesitates. Relationships between these two groups were bad.

Jesus explains that…  ( Click for more )

September 21, 2010

Now that it is all over might there be at least one salutary lesson to be learned from the lead-up to the General Election?

Following that sad episode when the radio mike was left switched on, we read these words of Jesus that evening.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms, will be proclaimed from the housetops.”

It pays to pay attention to what God says, no matter who you are.

We…  ( Click for more )

September 14, 2010

There were times when Jesus Christ made the most controversial and unexpected decisions, but with good reason.

On one occasion, early on in his ministry, he travelled north from the Jordan to Galilee, via Samaria.

He had to go through Samaria, and not because it was the only route. He had a specific purpose.

Samaritans were regarded as ‘half-castes’.

Jews and Samaritans were not on the friendliest of terms. It was known that because of pride and prejudice a Jew would make a lengthy detour, rather than risk meeting a Samaritan.

Jesus led his disciples…  ( Click for more )

September 7, 2010

It was a trick question but the answer was disarming. After a few flattering words out it came. “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

If Jesus Christ said “No” he could be charged with treason. If he said “Yes” he could be accused of siding with Rome.

Jesus called for a coin and asked whose face was on the coin. Recognising that it was the Emperor’s portrait, Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

If ‘Caesar’ provides you with an army for your protection,…  ( Click for more )

August 31, 2010

With a most crucial General Election only a few days away one man asked, “Who would Jesus vote for?” A simple straightforward answer is not easy.

A far better and more relevant question would be, “Who would Jesus have in his cabinet?”

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is Saviour and Lord and we do not vote for him, but he calls men and women to serve according to his unchanging principles.

Our nation is about to elect a Government facing perhaps the biggest crisis since the Second World War.

There are very clear biblical guidelines which might…  ( Click for more )

August 10, 2010

What was it that kept so many people away from Jesus Christ?

When Jesus Christ loves men and women with the love of God, and heals people, and ministers to all kinds of various needs, forgiving sins, and removing many of the consequences of sin, why do so many keep their distance from him?

During the Feast of Tabernacles, some six months before Jesus was arrested and crucified, his brothers sought to persuade him to go up to Jerusalem, and get into the heart of things. His brothers were trying to tell Jesus what to do.

There are always people who think they could improve…  ( Click for more )

August 3, 2010

How did the message of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and his resurrection from the dead, ever become confused with bunnies, eggs, and almost drowned in chocolate?

All this happened gradually, as man moved away from Passover, preferring the “E” word, which is never found in Scripture, and which the early apostolic church never used.

Man will do many things to distance the Church of Jesus Christ from her Jewish roots.

We have a Jewish Bible and a Jewish saviour, and we wild Gentile branches are engrafted into the Jewish trunk.

The covenants,…  ( Click for more )

July 27, 2010

In one morning Jesus Christ lost thousands of keenly interested people, as a direct consequence of his profound teaching, which they found awkward and difficult to embrace and accept.

We can’t take this. He has lost us.

They should have listened and allowed their minds to be stretched.

To become mature disciples we cannot grow with children’s addresses, or short snappy catchy sermons. Sermonettes make Christianettes!

We cannot live on sweeties and crisps in the physical realm, and we certainly cannot in the spiritual realm.

Apparently they were only…  ( Click for more )

July 20, 2010

Passover starts today and it was at the start of the Passover when Jesus Christ was crucified.

Jesus certainly was not crucified on a Friday. Jesus was three days and nights in the grave.

A pastor was speaking with a woman who stormed out of the church and would not return because someone had offended her. A long list of faults and accusations poured out.

He listened, and then asked, “Did they spit on you?” No. “They spat on Jesus.”

"Did they ridicule and scourge and mock you?" No. “They did all that to Jesus.”

"Did…  ( Click for more )

July 13, 2010

Tony Anthony came to speak during Chaplain’s Hour at Inverness Prison to ‘a full house’. Who is he and why did this man attract such attention?

He had been three times Kung Fu World Champion, becoming an international instructor, having been trained in China, London, and Geneva.

So skilful, efficient, and able, was he that his appointment as a close protection bodyguard to the ‘rich and famous’ quickly followed.

One scenario in Cyprus went badly wrong and he ended up in Nicosia’s notorious Central Prison.

An Irish Christian, Michael…  ( Click for more )

July 6, 2010

John said two things about Jesus after he had plunged him in the waters of the Jordan River.

He called him the Lamb of God, or more accurately the ram of God, as Jesus Christ certainly bore no resemblance to a cuddly new born lamb, as is frequently depicted in coats of arms or stain glass windows.

Jesus was the sacrificial Passover Lamb, a man in his prime, who would shed his blood to take away sin.

John also taught that Jesus would be the one who would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Not even the disciples attempted to preach or teach without being baptised in the Holy…  ( Click for more )

June 29, 2010

How did Jesus Christ answer Nicodemus’ crucial questions, and how did God love the world?

Jesus always loved to point to the written Word of God, whenever it was possible and relevant. Jesus never had any problem with the Old Testament.

When Moses was leading the Children of Israel, they became distressed and depressed, and they grumbled against God, and against God’s appointed leader, Moses.

“Moses, why have you brought us here? We have no bread! We have no water! We loathe this manna!”

A plague of venomous fiery serpents bit people and many…  ( Click for more )

June 22, 2010

To interrupt a conversation is rather rude, but that meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus is packed with significance.

We are privileged to be permitted to overhear this profound exchange, where Nicodemus realises that God is with Jesus, implying that God is not with him.

Now, there is honesty and openness, and Jesus Christ can always work with someone who is honest and open, and not trying to be something he isn’t.

Jesus knew Nicodemus’ questions before he asked, being aware that Nicodemus was disappointed with religion. It had not given him satisfaction or…  ( Click for more )

June 8, 2010

A family wedding is being celebrated at Cana, a few miles from Nazareth, and Jesus and Mary and some of Jesus’ disciples are present. Weddings could be large lengthy occasions.

They run out of wine and Mary informs Jesus of the situation.

What is Mary really saying? Go on son, show them who you are? Do something miraculous? Let your family and friends know who you are?

These are very natural feelings for any mother. Mary believed that Jesus could do something, but Jesus’ reply is almost abrupt and stark.

Why are you involving me? My hour has not yet come. …  ( Click for more )

June 1, 2010

That was an amazing and astonishing article in the BBC online magazine, about what man calls Christmas, being a highly stressful and unsettling time.

It was said that most people are bound to feel a little frazzled and worried about being able to get through it.

Frazzled and worried?

Other publications and programmes took time to deal with this fraught matter too, as the question was raised, describing how just the very thought of Christmas, might make you feel a little anxious and depressed.

Paragraphs on coping with stress and dealing with depression followed.

The…  ( Click for more )

May 25, 2010

Do not forget the other baby born around this time. As well as Jesus Christ, another special child came into our world?

Was this baby’s birth unusual in any way, like Jesus’ birth?

Jesus birth wasn’t unusual.

His conception was uniquely different, but his birth was like that of any other baby.

What was so unusual about this other baby? His parents were quite old.

One day, when his father, Zechariah, was leading worship in the Temple in Jerusalem, an angel appeared explaining to Zechariah that his prayers had been heard, and that his wife Elizabeth…  ( Click for more )

May 18, 2010

When Jesus goes up to Jerusalem, during the early days of His ministry, to observe the Passover, He is confronted with a shambolic mess in the place of prayer.

He finds traders selling oxen, sheep and doves, all in the name of religion.

Moneychangers are defrauding people in the Temple.

To pay the Temple tax special Jewish shekels were required.

Worshipping, and offering sacrifices, according to the rules and regulations of the human authorities, involved having the right money and the right animal, and the only place you could acquire these was at the Temple Mount. …  ( Click for more )

May 11, 2010

Prayer requests arrive regularly, but this one was rather different as we prepare for 2010. We were being asked to consider various aspects of need in our nation.

Our country appears to be in ruins financially, and the situation is possibly much worse than many realise.

Our industries are destroyed, or are being destroyed.

In many places, our Health Service is a disgrace.

Our armed forces are being sent off to fight, but why? Many wonder that.

Across the nation our children are being deprived of a good education.

Our rights and liberties are being eroded at…  ( Click for more )

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