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We are reading Psalm 1 and we reached verse 3. The man who loves God's Word and meditates upon God's Word is likened to a tree planted by streams of water. What kind of man emerges - and develops - the man who takes God's Word - reads it - believes it - meditates upon it - thinks about it and obeys it? We gain wisdom by reading and meditating upon God's law. We receive light and understanding. Our world so needs the light of Jesus Christ in these present days. What kind of person appears? We have a man who is like a tree planted by streams of water.…  ( Click for more )

Come with me into the Book of Psalms Of all the years I have writing “Word from Scotland” we have never seriously taken time to study the Psalms – at least a few Psalms. It has always been my joy to go through a book of the Bible.

Psalm 1 – where we read these opening words - "Blessed is the man". If there has ever been a day in which we have so needed the blessing of Almighty God through Jesus Christ, it is in these days when the challenges to the Christian Faith are increasing and deepening and becoming fiercer. These next weeks and months…  ( Click for more )

We are reading in Luke Chapter 1 verses 57 – 80, where we read of the birth of the baby who grew up to become known as John the Baptist. So much has been going on - we have looked at some of those events which happened over these weeks and months, as God was preparing the way for John and Jesus to walk onto the world’s stage.

Angels - appearing in the Temple - and to Mary at Nazareth - the reactions of the individuals involved - the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary - so much was going on.

Time has come for Elizabeth to give birth to John. It is a real family affair.…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 1 verse 39, we read of Mary making her way to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth at Ein Karen, a village outside Jerusalem and around 70 miles south of Nazareth. Some 9 months later this same virgin, Mary, would make the 80 miles journey south, with Joseph, to Bethlehem.

Mary arrives at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth, and greets Elizabeth. Mary knows all about Elizabeth, but Elizabeth knows nothing about Mary. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she speaks with a loud voice…  ( Click for more )

We were reading in Luke Chapter 1, of how the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple while he was going about his duties leading the people in prayer and worship, and because Zechariah did not fully believe what the angel had said, he was given a sign. He was struck dumb and would remain silent until what God had said would happen actually happened. Doctor Luke then tells us that his wife, Elizabeth, conceived.

Now, we have been through Luke Chapter 2 and part of Luke Chapter 1, but we did not have the opportunity to complete Chapter 1.

Verse 26. Six months…  ( Click for more )

Many people are very interested in signs and wonders and superficial ‘spiritual’ excitement, but this is very different.

We have been reading in Luke Chapter 2, but now we return to complete Chapter 1.

In Luke Chapter 1 at verse 17, we learn that one main task of John’s ministry was to prepare a people for the coming of Jesus Christ. This is part of our ministry - TO MAKE A PEOPLE READY FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD.

After all this had been announced concerning the birth of John, Zechariah, this faithful and deeply spiritual man of God, whose prayers…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Luke Chapter 2 and verse 40, where we read that the child, Jesus, grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Here we see Jesus growing in every way.

In Jesus, there is a perfect development and balanced growth, physically, emotionally, socially and of course, spiritually.

Sometimes we see young people develop in a few of these ways, but Jesus shows us how we can grow and mature in various areas of our lives.

Place some people, who think they are so able, capable and mature, in a Prayer Meeting, and they…  ( Click for more )

As we launch out into 2016 may there be that dedication and commitment in your heart and mind to serve our living God, faithfully and loyally and obediently and graciously. It is going to be needed as the spiritual battle becomes fiercer.

Soldiers prepare in times of peace for times of war. That applies to solders of the Cross too.

We are in Luke Chapter 2 and at verse 25, we read of an old man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and godly. He was waiting to see the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the Temple to…  ( Click for more )

We come to Luke Chapter 2 and verses 21 to 40. Amazing circumstances surrounded John when he was 8 days old. Let’s look at the amazing and wonderful things which happened, and which were said, when Jesus was 8 days old. Many are unaware of the significance of this event.

When Jesus is 8 days old, it is time to circumcise Him, and name Him JESUS. Joseph and Mary take Him to The Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord.

These verses will appear quite unfamiliar to many. This scene is almost totally overlooked and ignored, yet this is just a week after…  ( Click for more )

Many will be considering preaching on, and teaching, and speaking about, the birth of Jesus Christ over these next few days.

We will come back to Luke Chapter 1, but because of the time of year, let us move into Luke Chapter 2, although we do need to remember too that Jesus was not born in December, but more likely during the Feast of Tabernacles.

In Luke Chapter 2 we read of a ruler issuing a decree. Everyone in the Roman Empire is to be registered. Caesar Augustus orders a census, and this involves all the heads of households - all the men folks - to go to their own…  ( Click for more )

We are reading, and studying, these opening verses of Luke Chapter 1. Zechariah was a faithful priest in a day when there was not a lot of faithfulness around.

I wonder how many people thought, “Look at that silly old priest going away to conduct a service - and say prayers - and preach something - a message - which no-one really wants to hear.” How many people might say that of us as we meet for Worship and Prayer week by week?

Ignore it - forget it - overlook it. Let people say what they want. If you know you are right in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ,…  ( Click for more )

There is a new battle for the truth, the authority and authenticity of the Word of God.

There always has been, but it is undoubtedly going to become fiercer as we move into 2016.

Let us take time, and set aside time, to consider what the Scripture actually teaches regarding the birth of Jesus Christ, as we look afresh and anew in the Gospel of Luke, and share the truth with those around us – and also to know and remind ourselves of who Jesus Christ was and is.

We need to know, and our people need to know the facts, as compared with the rumours and myths and legends…  ( Click for more )

We continue in Jonah Chapter 3, where we discover so many relevant lessons for our ministries today.

Jonah preaches, and God is behind the word he proclaims and heralds, and it is simple and uncomplicated.

The people are penitent. There is a repentance which is real.

It would have taken a month for Jonah to travel to Nineveh.

Did he only preach once? But consider the weight of the message!

Every word went home to every one who heard it – God can do that. We have never seen or heard of anything like this!

Is this not…  ( Click for more )

Have been recalled, following a quite disastrous beginning, Jonah sets out for far away Nineveh, and his word to the people from Almighty God is simple – God is giving you six weeks to repent – get right with Him – sort out your lives.

We see here something of the marks of the divine message.

It reflects the character of God.

The message is simple – clear – definite – lucid – unambiguous.

On this occasion people are drawn to the message.

It is authoritative. The man of God must speak with authority. …  ( Click for more )

We move on to Jonah Chapter 3 verse 1 Jonah is on the point of being called again, after a rather disastrous start.

Paul remembered how John Mark had once deserted him on that first missionary journey, and a few years later Paul writes and tells Timothy to get Mark because he is helpful to me.

There is restoration and reconciliation in the Christian Life, and not always in that order.

God can intervene and rescue us from disastrous starts, and disastrous times, and disastrous circumstances and experiences.

It is not just back to church – and…  ( Click for more )

In Jonah Chapter 2, the prophet is in the belly of the great fish and the prophet is praying.

Verse 3 – Jonah feels cast out – an outcast – and yet he isn’t.

Verse 4 – He feels he has been banished – if only he knew.

When Jonah remembered the Lord he began to think and speak in spiritual terms.

This is not a nice place to be in – but a good place to learn.

In the worst extremity of life Jonah turns back to God – many do – and for some it can last.

One lesson we can learn…  ( Click for more )

We are reading in Jonah Chapter 2. Now, Jonah is praying to the Lord His God. If you have run away, and if you have fled, that does not stop you praying.

When aboard that ship sailing to Tarshish, Jonah did not pray, but now in the belly of that great fish, Jonah is praying.

He prays phrases from the Psalms. Jonah knew his Bible. Jonah had stored up God’s Word in his heart. The old Word of God kept coming to His mind.

It was the Word of God that reassured Him that he was in God’s hands.

We have the language and prayer of a drowning…  ( Click for more )

Jonah would rather die than go to Nineveh.

Jonah knew that all this happened because of his sin. He knew he had to die.

Jonah has run away from God, having been called by Almighty God, and having been given a work to do.

If the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has called you, and has given you a work to do, never run away.

Jonah is not far into his Mediterranean cruise when a storm arises and the sailors realising who is behind this fierce violent storm, throw Jonah overboard.

Now, the men rowed hard, as they try to reach…  ( Click for more )

As he runs away from Almighty God and as he runs away from his calling, and as he sets out on this Mediterranean cruise, Jonah, the man of God, is asleep. Sin can make you sleep.

Many Christians are asleep to all that is going on around them – politically – economically – morally – spiritually.

What a picture! A rebellious church asleep in the midst of a storm – and you do not know you are asleep, until you wake up!

The church can make decisions and do things when asleep which she would not otherwise make when awake!

…  ( Click for more )

We come to Jonah Chapter 1 and verse 4, where all is well! That is how it looks, but it certainly is not.

I am away to Joppa – no Jerusalem for me – and no Nineveh for me.

I have found a ship and I have paid the fare, and off we sail. We?

God is coming too and he did not expect that.

There were various situations he did not expect, and Jonah is going to experience them over these next weeks.

Jonah is called by God and chosen by God – he is a prophet of God, having received a Word from God – having known something…  ( Click for more )

We come to Jonah Chapter 1 and verse 3, where, having been called by God, and having been given a very real work to do, Jonah arose, and he begins to run away from God – disobedient and reluctant.

He should have gone east – but he goes west.

This is God’s man turning his back on God.

Trouble begins when we do not go and do what God tells us to go and do, and the trouble usually and invariably grows worse and worse and becomes more serious.

Never try to run away from God.

You can run, but you cannot hide.

…  ( Click for more )

Last week I wrote a brief introduction to the book of Jonah. Today we move on, but do read and study the book of Jonah. It has many lessons to teach us about ourselves and about Almighty God, and do remember that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, pointed to Jonah as a sign of His own life and death and time in the grave, before being resurrected.

If you treat the book of Jonah as fiction then the main figure in the book is Jonah – is this why people find it hard?

If you treat the book as fact – as God’s Word – as the actual state of affairs –…  ( Click for more )

Some weeks ago I was making a fresh study of the book of Jonah as it was the basis of the Bible Reading notes which our dear folk use. If you are a Pastor or Bible teacher I do hope you provide Bible reading notes or Study Notes for their daily use. We all need all the help that is available.

The book of Jonah is part of God’s Holy Word, and it is part of God’s truth to us, and it has the same authority as any other book in the Bible.

The book of Jonah has suffered from many jokes over the years, so it has not been taken seriously or studied in depth in…  ( Click for more )

In Luke Chapter 6 at verse 37 Jesus had been speaking quite briefly and simply, but obvious and challengingly about giving. Last week’s piece dealt with that one verse.

You can almost imagine these disciples sitting there listening in blind unbelief, to what Jesus was saying, so right away Jesus tells an appropriate parable giving a relevant picture.

Can you imagine two blind men? One leading the other and they are trying to cross a busy road. That is one dangerous situation and Jesus makes that so clear in verse 39.

What is Jesus really saying? Look! If…  ( Click for more )