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"Be of Good Cheer; I Have Overcome The World"
John 16:33b
When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “A troop comes!” So she called his name Gad.
[Genesis 30:9-11 NKJV]
[Genesis 30:9-11 NKJV]
A troop of sheep, not so much cometh, as milleth around a bit
The story gets ever more complex now - or so it would seem - but by this point we can recognise that whatever Jacob and his family are doing, God is in control and shaping events to further His plan for His people. There seems to be a contest going on in this family with Leah and Rachel vying for position.
Strangely, Leah seems only now to have noticed that she is not having any children and decides to adopt Rachel's use of her maid to reassert herself. Zilpah (her name means to trickle as myrrh), now produces a seventh son for Jacob, who Leah names Gad because she has endured and fought back (literally overcome, or invaded with troops).
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. [Genesis 49:19]
The Lord has set out the next step - being 'an overcomer' - and this idea occurs again and again in scripture. Our Fellowship studied the letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, where there is a great encouragement to 'him that overcomes'. Indeed 'overcoming' is a consistent theme in the New Testament books attributed to the Apostle John.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. [Revelation 3:21 NKJV]
We begin to get an idea of what The Lord is doing with this second group of four sons, for we cannot be overcomers in our own strength; we cannot go into spiritual battle (invade with troops) without the Holy Spirit guiding every step of the way, but with God leading we shall overcome ...
Strangely, Leah seems only now to have noticed that she is not having any children and decides to adopt Rachel's use of her maid to reassert herself. Zilpah (her name means to trickle as myrrh), now produces a seventh son for Jacob, who Leah names Gad because she has endured and fought back (literally overcome, or invaded with troops).
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. [Genesis 49:19]
The Lord has set out the next step - being 'an overcomer' - and this idea occurs again and again in scripture. Our Fellowship studied the letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, where there is a great encouragement to 'him that overcomes'. Indeed 'overcoming' is a consistent theme in the New Testament books attributed to the Apostle John.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. [Revelation 3:21 NKJV]
We begin to get an idea of what The Lord is doing with this second group of four sons, for we cannot be overcomers in our own strength; we cannot go into spiritual battle (invade with troops) without the Holy Spirit guiding every step of the way, but with God leading we shall overcome ...
Joan Baez singing "We Shall Overcome" in 1965
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Friday 15th May 2020
Naturally, a man regards his right to himself as the finest thing he has,
yet it is the last bridge that prevents Jesus Christ having His way in that life.
Friday 15th May 2020
Naturally, a man regards his right to himself as the finest thing he has,
yet it is the last bridge that prevents Jesus Christ having His way in that life.
- Published on
Wrestling Until The Breaking of Day
And Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “With great wrestlings [wrestlings of God] I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali [My wrestling].
[Genesis 30:7-8 NKJV]
[Genesis 30:7-8 NKJV]
Sheep enduring the wind. Moine Mhor near River Add, Mid Argyll
This must have been very difficult for Rachel - in that the child was not hers. It would have seemed an answer to prayer in that she now had a second child to raise with Jacob, yet the child was born through the coming together of Jacob and Bilhah. She realised that The Lord had granted her desire, but yet there was still a struggle within her.
The tradition at the time was that a wife [or a barren woman] could become the mother of a family through a child or children born to a concubine, but tradition does not bring peace; tradition is not God. Rachel's name suggests that she is on a spiritual journey and on that journey she has had a lot of difficulty and heartache to contend with; so it comes as no surprise to find that she is wrestling at this point. She is wrestling with what is happening to her and around her; with Leah, with Jacob, with Bilhah; but also with God. Just as Jacob wrestled with 'a Man', in Genesis 32:24, Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. [NKJV]
We too, have many highs and lows, both in our natural and spiritual lives; and this wrestling often appears after the high point of first getting to know The Lord. Doubts set in and our faith begins to waver. God promised so much, but what now? We have been on the mountain top but now we are in the valley, and we are wrestling with it.
Take heart from Rachel's story, for this struggle, this wrestling is all part of our spiritual journey, and - from personal experience - often comes soon after a great blessing from Him. What we have to recognise is that the journey is not yet over and that, as here for Rachel, the full blessing from God is yet to come. He is the one who knows the end from the beginning ... and that all He does has a purpose yet to be revealed. We need to wait patiently at such times until the breaking of day.
The tradition at the time was that a wife [or a barren woman] could become the mother of a family through a child or children born to a concubine, but tradition does not bring peace; tradition is not God. Rachel's name suggests that she is on a spiritual journey and on that journey she has had a lot of difficulty and heartache to contend with; so it comes as no surprise to find that she is wrestling at this point. She is wrestling with what is happening to her and around her; with Leah, with Jacob, with Bilhah; but also with God. Just as Jacob wrestled with 'a Man', in Genesis 32:24, Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. [NKJV]
We too, have many highs and lows, both in our natural and spiritual lives; and this wrestling often appears after the high point of first getting to know The Lord. Doubts set in and our faith begins to waver. God promised so much, but what now? We have been on the mountain top but now we are in the valley, and we are wrestling with it.
Take heart from Rachel's story, for this struggle, this wrestling is all part of our spiritual journey, and - from personal experience - often comes soon after a great blessing from Him. What we have to recognise is that the journey is not yet over and that, as here for Rachel, the full blessing from God is yet to come. He is the one who knows the end from the beginning ... and that all He does has a purpose yet to be revealed. We need to wait patiently at such times until the breaking of day.
"Wrestling With God" - of Chords of A Man
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Thursday 14th May 2020
Everything the devil does, God over-reaches to serve His own purpose.
Thursday 14th May 2020
Everything the devil does, God over-reaches to serve His own purpose.
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Seeking Judgment and Hasting Righteousness
[Isaiah 16:5b KJV]
Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”
And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
So she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her.” Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.
[Genesis 30: 1-6 NKJV]
And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
So she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her.” Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.
[Genesis 30: 1-6 NKJV]
Sheep in snow-covered field near Kilberry, Argyll
God judged Rachel, but He also heard her voice. He heard the cry of her heart and exercised His perfect judgement and mercy.
In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. [Isaiah 16:5 NKJV]
Isaiah makes it clear that God is still creating. He is hastening righteousness. God's plan and purpose is to bring us back to the garden; to that state that He created us to be. We can look on Judgement as God's way of keeping us on the right path.
Rachel (whose name comes from a Hebrew root word meaning to journey) was barren and envied Leah's bearing children for Jacob. She also blames Jacob for not giving her children, and He in turn blames her, effectively saying, "it is God's fault, not mine". Not a good situation, but easy for any of us to take that sort of attitude when we do not get our own way.
As we shall see as this story unfolds, God gives Rachel the desire of her heart in a very real way, firstly by giving her Dan, by means of what we would now call a surrogate mother in Bilhah (whose name is troubled), then Naphtali, but later God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb, giving her Joseph, a foreshadowing of Christ. Such a marvellous blessing, and this because Rachel cried out to God and found that He has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice. Dan, of course, means a judge, from a root to plead a case.
His judgement reveals that our relationship with Him is heart to heart. His heart knowing our hearts, and our hearts seeking to know His heart. Rachel's turning to God, seeking His help and accepting His judgement, ultimately led to God giving her the desire of her heart - allow ing God to grow her in righteousness, and makes her a type of His true church.
In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. [Isaiah 16:5 NKJV]
Isaiah makes it clear that God is still creating. He is hastening righteousness. God's plan and purpose is to bring us back to the garden; to that state that He created us to be. We can look on Judgement as God's way of keeping us on the right path.
Rachel (whose name comes from a Hebrew root word meaning to journey) was barren and envied Leah's bearing children for Jacob. She also blames Jacob for not giving her children, and He in turn blames her, effectively saying, "it is God's fault, not mine". Not a good situation, but easy for any of us to take that sort of attitude when we do not get our own way.
As we shall see as this story unfolds, God gives Rachel the desire of her heart in a very real way, firstly by giving her Dan, by means of what we would now call a surrogate mother in Bilhah (whose name is troubled), then Naphtali, but later God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb, giving her Joseph, a foreshadowing of Christ. Such a marvellous blessing, and this because Rachel cried out to God and found that He has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice. Dan, of course, means a judge, from a root to plead a case.
His judgement reveals that our relationship with Him is heart to heart. His heart knowing our hearts, and our hearts seeking to know His heart. Rachel's turning to God, seeking His help and accepting His judgement, ultimately led to God giving her the desire of her heart - allow ing God to grow her in righteousness, and makes her a type of His true church.
"We bow down and confess, you are Lord in this place" - Robin Mark
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Wednesday 13th May 2020
There are saints who are being rattled out of holiness by fussy work for God,
whereas one five minute brooding on God's truth
would do more good than all their work and fuss.
Wednesday 13th May 2020
There are saints who are being rattled out of holiness by fussy work for God,
whereas one five minute brooding on God's truth
would do more good than all their work and fuss.
- Published on
The Lord Inhabits The Praises Of His People
And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
[Genesis 29:35]
[Genesis 29:35]
Lambs gambolling? Not exactly, but happily following their mother.
Once Judah was born, Leah 'stopped bearing', but we are not told exactly why. Four children would be reason enough, but Leah has two more as we shall see later on. She says "Now I will praise the Lord" and names the child Judah, meaning praised, from a root word meaning to give thanks and confess the name of God. The implication is that when we praise God we lay something aside, and indeed we do just that. We lay aside the focus on ourselves and become swept up in the life of our Lord. Psalm 22, verse 3 makes the process clear ...
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel. [AKJV]
The LORD inhabits [is to be found in; dwells in; abides in] the praises of His people. So not only when praising do we forget about our problems and difficulties, but The Lord joins with us in a very deep way, to make us one with Him, and if that isn't worth a "Hallelujah!" I do not know what is.
In our studies for this series of brief meditations it seems that the birthing of Jacob's children is revealed in three groups of four, and the first grouping ends with the birth of Judah. The next child to be born, Dan, begins to refine the Spiritual birth in us revealed in Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, taking us deeper into our walk, but more of that another time. But to conclude this section, we come to 1 Peter 2:9 which says ...
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [NKJV]
In this verse we can find all four of Jacob's children.
Praise The Lord - The Lion of the tribe of Judah!
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel. [AKJV]
The LORD inhabits [is to be found in; dwells in; abides in] the praises of His people. So not only when praising do we forget about our problems and difficulties, but The Lord joins with us in a very deep way, to make us one with Him, and if that isn't worth a "Hallelujah!" I do not know what is.
In our studies for this series of brief meditations it seems that the birthing of Jacob's children is revealed in three groups of four, and the first grouping ends with the birth of Judah. The next child to be born, Dan, begins to refine the Spiritual birth in us revealed in Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, taking us deeper into our walk, but more of that another time. But to conclude this section, we come to 1 Peter 2:9 which says ...
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [NKJV]
In this verse we can find all four of Jacob's children.
- Reuben [Behold a son] is seen in 'out of darkness into His marvelous light'. We have seen that light, and beheld the Son of God.
- Simeon [Hearing] can be found in 'who called you out of darkness', for we have heard that call.
- Levi [join] is 'the royal priesthood, a holy nation', joining with the Lord.
- Judah [praise] in 'you may proclaim the praises of Him'.
Praise The Lord - The Lion of the tribe of Judah!
"Come On And Celebrate" - sung by the Ave Maria Choir in Singapore.
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Tuesday 12th May 2020
How many of us get into a panic when we are faced with physical desolation,
by death, or war, injustice, poverty or disease?
All these in all their force will never turn to panic the one who believes in
the absolute sovereignty of his Lord.
Tuesday 12th May 2020
How many of us get into a panic when we are faced with physical desolation,
by death, or war, injustice, poverty or disease?
All these in all their force will never turn to panic the one who believes in
the absolute sovereignty of his Lord.
- Published on
Who is on the Lord's side?
from Exodus 32:36
She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
[Genesis 29:34 NKJV]
[Genesis 29:34 NKJV]
A gathering of rams near Kilberry, Knapdale, Argyll
Levi means joined, and we see that Leah wanted to be joined again to her husband Jacob. We also understand that the joining she meant was not merely as husband and wife, but the true relationship of the deep love relationship between a man and a woman.
So the joining we see in the birth of Levi, is the coming together of Bride and Bridegroom; of Christ and His Church, because significantly Levi is the third son, completing a trinity, where we see the life of The Son of God (Reuben - Behold A Son), joined with a hearing relationship through the word and Spirit of God (Simeon - hearing) to form God's Church in Levi.
Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side—let him come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
[Exodus 32:26 KJV]
Here in Exodus we see the fulfilment of that joining, when the sons of Levi commit themselves to serving The Lord to become the Levitical priesthood, charged with upholding the law. God began building His church through Jacob's line, and with Levi He asks us to gather in His name to worship Him.
Now, the Levitical priesthood is no more; instead we have a new covenant where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek [Hebrews 6:20], and we live under grace instead of law, because the law was fulfilled in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So the joining we see in the birth of Levi, is the coming together of Bride and Bridegroom; of Christ and His Church, because significantly Levi is the third son, completing a trinity, where we see the life of The Son of God (Reuben - Behold A Son), joined with a hearing relationship through the word and Spirit of God (Simeon - hearing) to form God's Church in Levi.
Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side—let him come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
[Exodus 32:26 KJV]
Here in Exodus we see the fulfilment of that joining, when the sons of Levi commit themselves to serving The Lord to become the Levitical priesthood, charged with upholding the law. God began building His church through Jacob's line, and with Levi He asks us to gather in His name to worship Him.
Now, the Levitical priesthood is no more; instead we have a new covenant where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek [Hebrews 6:20], and we live under grace instead of law, because the law was fulfilled in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Monday 11th May 2020
I have no right to say that I believe in forgiveness as an attribute of God,
if in my own heart I cherish an unforgiving temper.
The forgiveness of God is the test by which I myself am judged.
Monday 11th May 2020
I have no right to say that I believe in forgiveness as an attribute of God,
if in my own heart I cherish an unforgiving temper.
The forgiveness of God is the test by which I myself am judged.
- Published on
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
[John 17:22-24 NKJV]
[John 17:22-24 NKJV]
Cross formed in the clouds above Loch Gilp, Mid Argyll
"Ever, only, all for Thee"; the final words in Frances Ridley Havergal's beautiful hymn, "Take my life And Let It Be, Consecrated Lord to Thee".
Here is a prayer for this Sunday ...
Here is a prayer for this Sunday ...
Open our hearts, Lord and let us know Your presence anew this day.
Your greatest gift to us is that we should know You always.
"Ever, only, all for Thee."
Help us to reach out and touch the hem of Your garment;
that we may be healed of our infirmities, our fears and anxieties, our sickness and pain;
lifted into the heavenlies to be at Your side.
"Ever, only, all for Thee."
"Console those who mourn in Zion,
Give us beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That we may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that You may be glorified"
[Isaiah 61:3 adapted]
Today let us again put on that garment of praise,
tailored by Your hand to fit each moment,
and lo, we behold Your holiness and see Your love revealed.
Create in us that new heart each day, that we may be
"Ever, only, all for Thee."
Your greatest gift to us is that we should know You always.
"Ever, only, all for Thee."
Help us to reach out and touch the hem of Your garment;
that we may be healed of our infirmities, our fears and anxieties, our sickness and pain;
lifted into the heavenlies to be at Your side.
"Ever, only, all for Thee."
"Console those who mourn in Zion,
Give us beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That we may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that You may be glorified"
[Isaiah 61:3 adapted]
Today let us again put on that garment of praise,
tailored by Your hand to fit each moment,
and lo, we behold Your holiness and see Your love revealed.
Create in us that new heart each day, that we may be
"Ever, only, all for Thee."
"Take My Life And Let It Be" by Frances Ridley Havergal - sung by Vineyard Worship
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Sunday 10th May 2020
Remember, whatever happens, God is there.
... You never get at God by blinking facts, but only by naming Him in the facts, whether they are devilish or not, say, "Lord I thank You that You are here."
Sunday 10th May 2020
Remember, whatever happens, God is there.
... You never get at God by blinking facts, but only by naming Him in the facts, whether they are devilish or not, say, "Lord I thank You that You are here."
- Published on
And He said, Hear now My words
Numbers12:6a
Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.
[Genesis 29:33 NKJV]
[Genesis 29:33 NKJV]
Sheep near Duntrune, Mid Argyll.
This densely packed chapter in the Bible seems to suggest that Jacob's children were born with very little interval between them, and maybe that was so. In the natural world there are pauses and gaps and sometimes the space between finding our relationship with Jesus (Behold a Son) and hearing His voice can be immediate or it can take a while. A lot can happen with each of us between these events and The Lord knows when is the right time.
The heading verse comes immediately after our learning of the birth of Reuben. We must see that precept in Scripture to gain understanding. So, as soon as we have been given the life of the the Son of God, His voice will speak.
Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire.
[Deuteronomy 4:36 NKJV]
The second of Jacob's children was Simeon, whose name means hearing. Leah names him for the Lord has heard that I am unloved. The Lord wants us to know that this is not the case; indeed that we are deeply loved, and that this will be made known through a hearing ear. Leah fears that she is unloved, and it may be that Jacob does not care for her as much as he does for Rachel, but it is far from the case that she is unloved. God loves her and answers her prayer because she has heard.
We have to hear from The Lord to 'go on' with Him. And we cannot hear until we have beheld the son within us. The seed has to be planted before it can grow, and it begins to mature by understanding the nature it is formed to be. For believers it means hearing what Jesus says to us, by His word; by His Holy Spirit.
How encouraged we should be that we have a God who communicates with us and shapes us through His word to make us the people He created us to be. As the great John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace, said in another of his songs ...
The heading verse comes immediately after our learning of the birth of Reuben. We must see that precept in Scripture to gain understanding. So, as soon as we have been given the life of the the Son of God, His voice will speak.
Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire.
[Deuteronomy 4:36 NKJV]
The second of Jacob's children was Simeon, whose name means hearing. Leah names him for the Lord has heard that I am unloved. The Lord wants us to know that this is not the case; indeed that we are deeply loved, and that this will be made known through a hearing ear. Leah fears that she is unloved, and it may be that Jacob does not care for her as much as he does for Rachel, but it is far from the case that she is unloved. God loves her and answers her prayer because she has heard.
We have to hear from The Lord to 'go on' with Him. And we cannot hear until we have beheld the son within us. The seed has to be planted before it can grow, and it begins to mature by understanding the nature it is formed to be. For believers it means hearing what Jesus says to us, by His word; by His Holy Spirit.
How encouraged we should be that we have a God who communicates with us and shapes us through His word to make us the people He created us to be. As the great John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace, said in another of his songs ...
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
And drives away our fear.
In a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
And drives away our fear.
"I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say" - The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
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Saturday 9th May 2020
Everything that Satan and sin have marred, God holds in an unimpaired state for every son of man who will come to Him by the way back, which Jesus Christ has made [Romans 16:20]
Saturday 9th May 2020
Everything that Satan and sin have marred, God holds in an unimpaired state for every son of man who will come to Him by the way back, which Jesus Christ has made [Romans 16:20]
- Published on
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
Isaiah 9:6a
And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.”
[Genesis 29:31-32 NKJV]
So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.”
[Genesis 29:31-32 NKJV]
Spring lambs near Kilberry, Knapdale, Argyll
With our minds on birth and new life these last few days, we feel led to begin a series of messages on Jacob's children. The significance of this family in God's plan for His people cannot be underestimated. These twelve sons of Jacob were the progenitors of the twelve tribes, which led to the creation of a nation, Israel, and is a step in the unfolding of the promise God made to Abraham.
Using the Bible principle that the name reveals the nature of the individual, we shall look at each son to get a glimpse of what The Lord might be trying to show us in this scriptural pattern.
Leah - her name means weary, grieved or offended - knows that her husband Jacob loves Rachel (a ewe) more than her, and hopes that with the birth of Reuben, Jacob will love her instead. This did not happen, but God was revealing a great truth in this; for Reuben means Behold a son!, and we can now see that the birth of God's son in us spiritually, comes when we are weary, heavy-laden, grieved even; certainly in a place of distress and despair, seeking love and reassurance. Christ can only be born in us when we cry out to Father God for help, a picture that the Bible asserts again and again.
It is when times are at their darkest, when we are at the end of ourselves and have no one else to turn to, that the dawning light of the Father arises in us, if only we let Him. Then, we too can say with confidence, "Behold, the Son of God is alive in me!"
Using the Bible principle that the name reveals the nature of the individual, we shall look at each son to get a glimpse of what The Lord might be trying to show us in this scriptural pattern.
Leah - her name means weary, grieved or offended - knows that her husband Jacob loves Rachel (a ewe) more than her, and hopes that with the birth of Reuben, Jacob will love her instead. This did not happen, but God was revealing a great truth in this; for Reuben means Behold a son!, and we can now see that the birth of God's son in us spiritually, comes when we are weary, heavy-laden, grieved even; certainly in a place of distress and despair, seeking love and reassurance. Christ can only be born in us when we cry out to Father God for help, a picture that the Bible asserts again and again.
It is when times are at their darkest, when we are at the end of ourselves and have no one else to turn to, that the dawning light of the Father arises in us, if only we let Him. Then, we too can say with confidence, "Behold, the Son of God is alive in me!"
"Alive In You" - Jesus Culture (featuring Kim Walker-Smith)
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Friday 8th May 2020
When we say "Thy will be done," do we say it with a sigh?
If so, we have never realised that the character of God is holy love,
nothing can ever happen outside His purposeful will.
Friday 8th May 2020
When we say "Thy will be done," do we say it with a sigh?
If so, we have never realised that the character of God is holy love,
nothing can ever happen outside His purposeful will.
- Published on
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
[John 3:16 NKJV]
[John 3:16 NKJV]
Zoe - A New Life
Our headline verse has been called the best known verse in all scripture, and we have chosen it today for a very specific reason; and that is the word 'life'. In the original Greek, that word is zoe, which is the name being given to our new grand-daughter.
According to her mother, she he has been living up to her name, as she has been 'full of life' and 'very active' while still in the womb. Zoe was born yesterday afternoon at 2:18pm, and we thank The Lord for a safe delivery, and a happy, if tired, mother; and of course, we give thanks and praise to Him for a beautiful new life in the world.
New life is what He gives to us, when we turn to Him; He gave me new life, something to live for ... Oh hallelujah, He gave me new life!, in the words of the song of celebration. And today is a day of celebration for us, and we pray for you also. In the Lord we are new every morning, refreshed by the Spirit in His new day. Howsoever you feel, we encourage you to press in to the new life The Lord has for you today.
We now have three grand-children, all girls and we couldn't feel more blessed. Ella whose name derives from Eleanor meaning light; Hannah's name means grace, and now Zoe, 'of the absolute fullness of life'. What better combination could we have, but light, grace and life; all good things that come from our God. We do indeed 'Thank Heaven for our Little Girls' ...
According to her mother, she he has been living up to her name, as she has been 'full of life' and 'very active' while still in the womb. Zoe was born yesterday afternoon at 2:18pm, and we thank The Lord for a safe delivery, and a happy, if tired, mother; and of course, we give thanks and praise to Him for a beautiful new life in the world.
New life is what He gives to us, when we turn to Him; He gave me new life, something to live for ... Oh hallelujah, He gave me new life!, in the words of the song of celebration. And today is a day of celebration for us, and we pray for you also. In the Lord we are new every morning, refreshed by the Spirit in His new day. Howsoever you feel, we encourage you to press in to the new life The Lord has for you today.
We now have three grand-children, all girls and we couldn't feel more blessed. Ella whose name derives from Eleanor meaning light; Hannah's name means grace, and now Zoe, 'of the absolute fullness of life'. What better combination could we have, but light, grace and life; all good things that come from our God. We do indeed 'Thank Heaven for our Little Girls' ...
'Thank Heaven For Little Girls' from the MGM Film 'Gigi' - sung by Maurice Chevalier
OSWALD CHAMBERS - RUN TODAY'S RACE
Thursday 7th May 2020
The stronghold of the Christian faith is the joy of God, not my joy in God ...
God reigns and rules and rejoices, and His joy is our strength.
Thursday 7th May 2020
The stronghold of the Christian faith is the joy of God, not my joy in God ...
God reigns and rules and rejoices, and His joy is our strength.
- Published on
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
[2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV]
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
[2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV]
Rainbow over Moine Mhor (The Great Moss), Mid Argyll.
This reading takes me back to my earlier years of faith and was a real landmark revelation for me. Not quite a Road to Damascus moment perhaps, but significant enough to bring tears of gratitude flooding from me.
I was sitting alone at the breakfast table in Humphrystown House, County Wicklow, and was considering the daily reading from 'My Utmost from His Highest' about 'going on to perfection'. I was making notes, when I experienced what I can only describe as a presence, and I shivered as if being touched unexpectedly and immediately I had For when I am weak, then I am strong. As Paul heard, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The strength and grace of the Lord can only be perfected in us because of our weakness, the realisation that we can do nothing to 'go on to perfection' in our own strength. Around the same time as my breakfast revelation, a dear friend said to me something along the line of "Surely you don't believe you can be made perfect?" At the time I could not answer properly except to say I believed it. Now, I know that yes, it is perfectly possible, likely even; but it is not me that is perfect. Only He is perfect, for it is not about me, it is about Him. Jesus said just how this can be done, And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. [John 17:22-23]
His grace - His forgiving mercy - is immense. The word for grace 'charis', comes from a root meaning 'to rejoice exceedingly'. We cannot have a greater response than that. His forgiving mercy, causing us to rejoice exceedingly, is sufficient for us. Praise The Lord!
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. [1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV]
I was sitting alone at the breakfast table in Humphrystown House, County Wicklow, and was considering the daily reading from 'My Utmost from His Highest' about 'going on to perfection'. I was making notes, when I experienced what I can only describe as a presence, and I shivered as if being touched unexpectedly and immediately I had For when I am weak, then I am strong. As Paul heard, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The strength and grace of the Lord can only be perfected in us because of our weakness, the realisation that we can do nothing to 'go on to perfection' in our own strength. Around the same time as my breakfast revelation, a dear friend said to me something along the line of "Surely you don't believe you can be made perfect?" At the time I could not answer properly except to say I believed it. Now, I know that yes, it is perfectly possible, likely even; but it is not me that is perfect. Only He is perfect, for it is not about me, it is about Him. Jesus said just how this can be done, And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. [John 17:22-23]
His grace - His forgiving mercy - is immense. The word for grace 'charis', comes from a root meaning 'to rejoice exceedingly'. We cannot have a greater response than that. His forgiving mercy, causing us to rejoice exceedingly, is sufficient for us. Praise The Lord!
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. [1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV]
'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus' - Lauren Daigle
OSWALD CHAMBERS - RUN TODAY'S RACE
Wednesday 6th May 2020
For those who have no engineered place of holiday,
God Himself becomes the mountain calm and the limitless sea spaces.
By prayer and Bible reading and meditation, the externally drab life has glorious holiday hours with God in which the soul is restored even in the valley of deep darkness.
Wednesday 6th May 2020
For those who have no engineered place of holiday,
God Himself becomes the mountain calm and the limitless sea spaces.
By prayer and Bible reading and meditation, the externally drab life has glorious holiday hours with God in which the soul is restored even in the valley of deep darkness.