Picture

LIVELY STONES MEDITATIONS

Published on
And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead. [Philippians 3:10-11 AMP]
Picture

Across The Great Moss to Crinan, Argyll

Oswald Chambers said "Love is not measured by what it gets, but by what it costs" [Oswald Chambers 'The Psychology of Redemption']
These verses from Philippians encapsulate and reveal perhaps the greatest foundation stone of the Christian faith. That Jesus died on the cross, defeated death and lived again, so that we too may be reassured not only of eternal life, but of new life in this life.

And yet it can so easily get us tied in knots if we consider it with the natural mind. The rational mind always asks the question 'how', which is why we need 'the mind of Christ' ... that mind which is in you ...

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, [1 Corinthians 6:19 AMPC]

For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. [1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV]

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:7 NKJV]

That gift from God was and is the greatest gift we can ever receive - a gift of love from our Heavenly Father to His children - but at what a cost ...
I stand before the presence
of The Lord God of Hosts
A child of my Father
and an heir of His grace
But Jesus paid the price for me
The veil was torn in two
And the Holy of Holies
shall become my dwelling place

'Jesus Paid It All' - Kim Walker-Smith
Published on
 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. [Isaiah 55:6 NKJV]
Go through,
Go through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people;
Build up,
Build up the highway!
Take out the stones,
Lift up a banner for the peoples!
[Isaiah 62:10 NKJV]
Picture

Gates to the early Christian monastic settlement of St Kevin [6th century]. Glendalough, Co Wicklow, Ireland.

Isaiah 55:6 was suggested by Pat, who says that this verse and the encouragement in Isaiah 62:10 to Go Through The Gates (sung in the video below by Barry and Batya Segal) are important for this time.

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near has been very important to us, and has been a recurring word in our walk of faith. There is the implication that there may come a time when He may not be found, that He will be afar off. This word seems echoed in the The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. In Matthew 25:10 we are told: And while (the foolish virgins) went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
There is an urgency about our relationship with God. He says "Don't let your faith slide. Work at it!" And the reality is that it is not God closing the door of the Kingdom on us, but ourselves - through our lackadaisical approach to Him - failing to answer His knock on the door. It is the question discussed in Holman Hunt's painting 'The Light of The World', based on Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Isaiah is calling us to draw near to God, seek Him before we do not know where to look. Answer his knock on the door and "Go through the gates!"
Several years ago, I felt led by The Lord to study the gates of Jerusalem as mentioned in the book of Nehemiah. This ended up being a series of talks, but briefly, I believe that the gates relate to our walk with The Lord, and that we can go in and out of the city of our God until we can go no more out. Isaiah seems to be encouraging us in 62:10 to hear from God and 'put His word into our walk', for the rewards are immense, and where one leads, others will follow on that Kingdom highway to everlasting life.

Below is a table of the Gates, Names and meanings which begin to build a picture of the pattern being revealed in Scripture. This is not the place to give in in-depth interpretation, but at some point soon, we hope to put our notes into an article which can be downloaded for further study.
GATE

 1. The Sheep Gate
 2. The Fish Gate
 3. The Old Gate 
 4. The Valley Gate
 5. The Dung Gate
 6. The Fountain Gate
 7. The Prison Gate
 8. The Water Gate
 9. The Horse Gate
10. The East Gate
11. The Miphkad Gate
12. The Gate of Ephraim
BRIEF MEANING

Migrate
Multiply
Sleep
Pride
Ash-heap
Eye
Keep
Refreshment
Skip (for joy)
Arise
Appointed place
Doubly fruitful
TRIBE OF ISRAEL
(SONS OF JACOB)
Reuben
Simeon
Levi
Judah
Dan
Naphtali
Gad
Asher
Issachar
Zebulun
Joseph
Benjamin
MEANING OF NAME

Behold A Son
Hearing
Joined
Praise
Judgement
Wrestling
A Troop
Blessed
Recompense
Habitation
Adding
Son of The Right Hand
 'Go Through the Gates (Isaiah 62:10)' by Barry & Batya Segal
Published on
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
[1 Peter 1:3-9 NKJV]
Picture

Wicklow Hills near Glendalough, Co Wicklow, Ireland

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow - lines from the popular Bill and Gloria Gaither song (see video below); lines which resonate with us all at this time when we are grieved by great trials. And this message applies every day; not just in the current crisis.
It is said regularly that the times in which we are living are 'unprecedented'. In a sense that is always so; every today has not been experienced before; every tomorrow is unique. 'Groundhog Day', when each day is identical to yesterday, is an amusing fiction in the movies, but would be intolerable if experienced as reality.
The truth is that the only experience which is unchanging and the same yesterday, today and forever is Jesus Christ [Hebrews 13:8 NKJV] ... and yet He is also new every morning. That is a great mystery of our Lord; the same forever and forever alive. He is indeed a living hope through the resurrection ... that does not fade away. Because He lives. Hallelujah!
Gaither Vocal Band "Because He Lives"
Published on
Picture
Today we have the video link to what was a 'live streaming' event with Peter Horrobin, the Founder and International Director of Ellel Ministries.
The video misses the first few moments of the live event, but we commend it to you. It lasts about 44 minutes and we hope it speaks to you.
Published on
The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation.
Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. [Isaiah 32:17-20]
Picture

Bellanoch on the Crinan Canal, Argyll

These verses from Isaiah 32, leapt out when reading this morning, and immediately brought to mind the beautiful hymn Blessed Assurance, a version of which is linked below.

Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey seems to speak of having a generous and humble spirit, and seeking fruitfulness in our dealings with all we meet ... perhaps a poetic way of saying that you love one another.

Isaiah has always appealed for his great prophetic gift, but also for the powerful imagery he evokes; here his mention of the ox and the donkey - both beasts of burden; the ox also a sacrificial animal - swiftly gives a wonderful example of the nature of those whom The Lord deems blessed.

In His presence there is no doubt of His blessed assurance ...
Published on
"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 
Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [Joshua 1: 5-9 NKJV]
Picture

Sheep social-distancing amid unusual weather - Add Estuary, Argyll

The Scripture reading from the Book of Joshua was sent out by Bobby Owens in the United States. Some of you will know him from his visits to the land of His birth over many years along with his wife Cathy - both anointed followers of Jesus.
The verses do not need comment from us, and it seemed timely to share them with you today. We also include the video of a song of Psalm 91, suggested by Di in our Fellowship, beautifully sung by Esther Mui.
Psalm 91 song - Esther Mui
Published on
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
'Great Is Thy Faithfulness' (second verse)   Thomas Chisholm/W M Runyan
Picture

Breadboard at Dove Cottage - April 2020

photography by Gill Stewart
Val sent this encouragement at the weekend: Not all of us can do great things; but we can do a little with great love. The love of God is a great love and without Him, we can only love. All that is good and great in us comes from the Almighty. There are many things that we call great, which in reality are nothing of the sort in comparison with Him.

Val's thought inspired recollection of the famous hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. He is ever faithful, ever sure, to borrow a line from another hymn. And the sureness of His faithfulness toward us is what gives us the security we crave; it inspires trust in Him for all that we need. Not what we want; but what we need - and only He fully knows what we need.

In March - before the lockdown - we went to a healing retreat run by Ellel Ministries. We both went there with our idea of what each of us wanted in the way of healing and restoration. The beauty of that retreat was how the faithfulness of the ministry team in hearing from the Holy Spirit, were able to discern what we needed ... and that, in turn, provided a large measure of what we wanted. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. If The Lord had given us only what we wanted, the healing would have been merely superficial. The Lord's way is deeper and lasts, if we walk it out, so that now, morning by morning new mercies I see.

His way is truth and brings life. Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.
Chris Rice singing 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness'
Published on
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared, but they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 
And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’"  [Luke 24:1-7 NKJV]
Picture

Burial Cist, Kilmartin Glen, Argyll

A favourite song from our early years of faith after The Lord got a hold of us, is this one ...
Brethren come see the tomb where Jesus lay
That stone's been rolled away
That stone's been rolled away
Death could not hold Him much less the grave
since that stone's been rolled away

And now He's risen
and now He's reigning
from within my heart He's singing
songs of praise
and now He's risen
and now He's reigning
since that stone's been rolled away

Lord roll that stone away
release me from this grave
make this hardened heart of mine
soft as potter's clay
O Lord shed abroad
the precious love of God
O Lord roll that stone away

Brethren come see the tomb where Jesus lay
That stone's been rolled away
That stone's been rolled away
Death could not hold Him
much less the grave
since that stone's been rolled away

00:00
00:00

Brethren, Come See The Tomb + If Ye Be Risen

Our prayer today is 'Lord continually and eternally roll that hard stone away from our hearts, releasing Your compassion and love in us, that it may flow from us in torrents; turning that love back towards You, Lord, and filling us with Your compassion for our fellow men and women. In Jesus name. Amen.'
Incidentally, we listened to the 5th April sermon (5th April 2020 'Finding Your Voice In The Storm') by Pastor Carter Conlon of Times Square Church, which we found powerful. Here is a link to the church Sermons page.
tsc.nyc/media_center.php?pg=sermons
Published on
For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.
Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. [Exodus 12:12-13 NKJV]
Picture

Over Kilmartin

This is an excerpt from one of the best known stories in the Old Testament. This story, where The Lord sent the destroyer to strike the Egyptians, but protect the children of Israel, shows the event which has ever since been commemorated as one of the three Great Feasts of Israel - The Feast of Passover - which we celebrate as Easter.

Easter was apparently named after a pre-Christian goddess of Spring, Eostre, referenced by The Venerable Bede, and is probably another example of early Christian saints converting an existing belief system to Christianity. St Columba's footprints at Keil in Kintyre, originally used for ceremonial purposes, almost certainly pre-dated Columba, as did a similar carving on Dunadd near here.

But the Easter message is so much more than history and the workings of men - fascinating though a lot of that is. All that is in the world, while The Lord works in the land, and this is His way of doing that ...
Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 
And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. 
For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. 
And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. [Exodus 12:21-24 NKJV]
... The Lord works the land - which is each of us - as would a farmer. He sows and plants and tills the soil; He nurtures the growth, but is not afraid to weed out where necessary. He is creating His garden anew, and we can see this husbandry right throughout scripture, right throughout the history of this world; right throughout the life of each one chosen by Him since before the beginning of time to be His people.

'He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts'. The Lord sees those who follow Him; who know Him. Those who hear His word; who hear Him. They are 'covered in the blood of Jesus'

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [Romans 5:9  NKJV]

Hallelujah!  And may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine at this blessed Eastertide.
Published on
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. [Revelation 8:1 AV]
Picture

Paps of Jura from Knapdale

Today is often referred to as Silent Saturday, because The Bible tells us so little of what happened on the day after the day of preparation, as Good Friday is described.
I have read several attempts to come to grips with this notion of a day where God seemingly did nothing in the middle of this crucial event. God was silent.

There is the suggestion that God was testing the patience of His church, or that - as it was the Hebrew Sabbath - that it was a day of rest and prayer. For myself, I have often felt that the third day was of significance - that the Easter story was revealed over three days - and thus the second day must have it's own importance in the unfolding truth; and when I asked The Lord what the answer might be, He showed me the Scripture verse above - Revelation 8, verse 1.

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. [NKJV]

The seventh seal was the final seal to be opened, and John then saw the seven angels who stand before God being given seven trumpets. Seven in The Bible represents the completion of something, as we know, and the word used here is sphragis, a signet, or 'that by which anything is confirmed, proved or authenticated'. So the silence was the result of God's confirmed work. When God speaks, the rest is silence, to quote Shakespeare's Hamlet.
I have often found that The Lord is silent after I have prayed, and I believe that the silence is itself an answer, as if the Lord is saying "Now wait and watch."

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: ...
A time to tear, and a time to sew, a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; [Ecclesiastes 3:1+7 NKJV]

I also heard some years ago that when the egg is fertilised in the womb, there is a pause of 'about half an hour' before anything happens. I have been unable to find confirmation of this, but the idea of life being renewed  and restored - resurrection - is the Easter story ...

... and God's silence is always a sign of His love.
O The Love of My Lord (Gentle As Silence)

O the love of my Lord is the essence
Of all that I have here on earth
All the beauty I see He has given to me
And His giving is gentle as silence
 
Every day, every hour, every moment,
Has been blesses by the strength of His love
At the turn of each tide He is here at my side
And his touch is as gentle as silence
 
There have been times when I’ve turned from his presence
And I have walked other paths, other ways
But I’ve called on His name in the dark of my shame
And His mercy was gentle as silence
 Estelle White
"Gentle As Silence" as sung on BBC TV's Songs of Praise programme some years ago.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9

Authors

GEORGE and GILL STEWART
for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Kilmartin
(unless post shows otherwise)