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I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
[Psalm 18:1-3 and 35 NKJV]
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
[Psalm 18:1-3 and 35 NKJV]
River Add from Islandadd Bridge, Argyll
It used to strike me as odd that we call this day Good Friday. That was before I knew Him, and the enormous sacrifice He made. This year - in the midst of an attack on each and every one of us - a threat unprecedented in our lifetimes, and one that will have ramifications for years to come, we can see that today is indeed a good day.
As a result of Jesus' sacrifice, we have a saviour who will ensure that it is well with my soul, regardless of storm around us.
Psalm 18 says it well: I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. [Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV]
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, wrote these lines below as his father was dying, and this poem can be seen as not only applying to old age and death, but to any adversity we face. We should not give up easily, we should persevere with a great determination and remember to "not go gentle into that good night" whether that good night is failure, or despondency, or a sea of troubles. That strength to persevere; to set our faces like flint against the onslaught is God-given as we see from Psalm 18.
As a result of Jesus' sacrifice, we have a saviour who will ensure that it is well with my soul, regardless of storm around us.
Psalm 18 says it well: I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. [Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV]
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, wrote these lines below as his father was dying, and this poem can be seen as not only applying to old age and death, but to any adversity we face. We should not give up easily, we should persevere with a great determination and remember to "not go gentle into that good night" whether that good night is failure, or despondency, or a sea of troubles. That strength to persevere; to set our faces like flint against the onslaught is God-given as we see from Psalm 18.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)
Our weaknesses need His strength. His gentleness gives us that strength to overcome, for it calms our fears and anxieties. He brings life that helps us rage against the dying of the light. He will not allow our fears to rule us; if we but choose His living water.
Here is an audio message for today from Pastor Carter Conlon of Times Square Church in New York; If You Only Knew:
Here is an audio message for today from Pastor Carter Conlon of Times Square Church in New York; If You Only Knew:
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Carter Conlon - If You Only Knew
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Stan Holloway has over the years written songs and poetry - many beautiful words - in praise to Our Lord. We are reproducing this prayer, (with his permission) that he sent to a few of us recently. We hope it speaks to you as it has done to us.
And to accompany this post, we have added a video of Matt Redman's Upon Him.
And to accompany this post, we have added a video of Matt Redman's Upon Him.
Sheep grazing on Moine Mhor, Argyll
DEPENDENT UPON HIM
O Lord who's power is infinite and wisdom infallible,
order things that they may neither hinder nor discourage me,
nor prove obstacles to the progress of Your cause.
Stand between me and all strife, that no evil befall,
no sin corrupt my gifts, zeal, attainments.
May I follow duty and not any foolish device of my own:
permit me not to labour at work which will not bless,
that I may serve You without disgrace or debt.
Let me dwell in Your most secret place under Your shadow,
where there is safe impenetrable protection
from the arrow that flieth by day,
the pestilence that walks in darkness,
the strife of tongues,
the malice of ill- will,
the hurt of unkind talk,
the snares of company,
the perils of youth,
the temptations of middle age,
the mournings of old age
and the fear of death.
I am dependent entirely on You for support, counsel, consolation.
Uphold me by your free Spirit,
and may I not think it enough to be preserved from falling,
but may I always go forward,
always abounding in the work you give me to do.
Strengthen me by your Spirit in my inner self
for every purpose of my Christian life.
All my jewels I give to the shadow of the safety that is in You.
My name anew in Christ;
my body, soul, talents, character,
my success, spouse, children, friends, work, my present, my future, my end;
take them, they are Yours,
and I am Yours,
now and forever.
O Lord who's power is infinite and wisdom infallible,
order things that they may neither hinder nor discourage me,
nor prove obstacles to the progress of Your cause.
Stand between me and all strife, that no evil befall,
no sin corrupt my gifts, zeal, attainments.
May I follow duty and not any foolish device of my own:
permit me not to labour at work which will not bless,
that I may serve You without disgrace or debt.
Let me dwell in Your most secret place under Your shadow,
where there is safe impenetrable protection
from the arrow that flieth by day,
the pestilence that walks in darkness,
the strife of tongues,
the malice of ill- will,
the hurt of unkind talk,
the snares of company,
the perils of youth,
the temptations of middle age,
the mournings of old age
and the fear of death.
I am dependent entirely on You for support, counsel, consolation.
Uphold me by your free Spirit,
and may I not think it enough to be preserved from falling,
but may I always go forward,
always abounding in the work you give me to do.
Strengthen me by your Spirit in my inner self
for every purpose of my Christian life.
All my jewels I give to the shadow of the safety that is in You.
My name anew in Christ;
my body, soul, talents, character,
my success, spouse, children, friends, work, my present, my future, my end;
take them, they are Yours,
and I am Yours,
now and forever.
Stan Holloway - April 2020
- Published on
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 [NKJV]
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 [NKJV]
Sound of Jura, Argyll
If, like me, you have a tendency to worry and be anxious; maybe fretting over stuff that is none of your concern, or over which you have no control, then these verses are a tremendous comfort.
Anxiety and worry is common to us - I know of no one who is entirely free from anxiety's grip. And yet Jesus says we should learn from His example and find peace in our hearts. Let not your heart be troubled. Those words are spoken twice in John 14, and a key word in this expression is let. We are required to take action in this. Do not allow your heart to be troubled. This could sound on the face of it as if it was a command to 'sort yourself out' or 'stop being such a fearty', but no this is a word of help from one who is gentle and lowly in heart. He asks us to take His yoke and as Peter says, cast your care upon Him.
The 'yoke' that Jesus speaks of comes from the Greek zygos, meaning 'to join; a coupling'; it is each one serving the other. In the natural, a yoke is a wooden brace across the shoulders of cattle to hold them so that they can work together. Farmers used such a method to guide a team of horses when ploughing a field. Literally, it refers to the beam of the balance in a set of scales. And our Lord loves balance.
Yet again, Jesus paints a beautiful picture for us, this time of the truth of our relationship with Him. It is a working together, a love relationship, where each loves and cares for the other and puts the other first. And this is the key that unlocks the let of the untroubled heart. It is as Oswald Chambers has said, praying 'with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties'; connecting with Him in reality and with our focus on His untroubled heart instead of our troubled one, for ...
Anxiety and worry is common to us - I know of no one who is entirely free from anxiety's grip. And yet Jesus says we should learn from His example and find peace in our hearts. Let not your heart be troubled. Those words are spoken twice in John 14, and a key word in this expression is let. We are required to take action in this. Do not allow your heart to be troubled. This could sound on the face of it as if it was a command to 'sort yourself out' or 'stop being such a fearty', but no this is a word of help from one who is gentle and lowly in heart. He asks us to take His yoke and as Peter says, cast your care upon Him.
The 'yoke' that Jesus speaks of comes from the Greek zygos, meaning 'to join; a coupling'; it is each one serving the other. In the natural, a yoke is a wooden brace across the shoulders of cattle to hold them so that they can work together. Farmers used such a method to guide a team of horses when ploughing a field. Literally, it refers to the beam of the balance in a set of scales. And our Lord loves balance.
Yet again, Jesus paints a beautiful picture for us, this time of the truth of our relationship with Him. It is a working together, a love relationship, where each loves and cares for the other and puts the other first. And this is the key that unlocks the let of the untroubled heart. It is as Oswald Chambers has said, praying 'with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties'; connecting with Him in reality and with our focus on His untroubled heart instead of our troubled one, for ...
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love
PRAYER
Lord, I hold fast to You in the hour as You are the only certainty in an uncertain world. Help me to keep my focus on You and not on myself or the troubles that seem to abound. You are in control, and the anchor which will hold me safely. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, I hold fast to You in the hour as You are the only certainty in an uncertain world. Help me to keep my focus on You and not on myself or the troubles that seem to abound. You are in control, and the anchor which will hold me safely. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Glebe Field, Kilmartin
Gill and I woke up this morning to The Father's Song, written by Matt Redman, as our alarm call. The You Tube link below is the Robin Mark version of the song, which is the one we heard today. I have shown the lyrics to this song below the video, if you feel to sing along.
Listening to it, I began thinking about a word from scripture and was led to Psalm 42 verse 8, Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. (AV)
I love the thought that The Lord sings to us in the night hours, a sweeter song than we shall ever hear elsewhere. Thank you, Lord.
I love the thought that The Lord sings to us in the night hours, a sweeter song than we shall ever hear elsewhere. Thank you, Lord.
The Father's Song I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
CHORUS:
Heavens perfect melody
The Creator's symphony
You are singing over me
The Father's song
Heavens perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you're singing over me
The Father's song
I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
[Sounds above them all]
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
CHORUS
Its Heavens perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you're singing over me
The Father's song
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
[Its written on my heart]
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
Its written on my heart
You sing it over me
Father
https://lyricstranslate.com
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
CHORUS:
Heavens perfect melody
The Creator's symphony
You are singing over me
The Father's song
Heavens perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you're singing over me
The Father's song
I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
[Sounds above them all]
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
CHORUS
Its Heavens perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you're singing over me
The Father's song
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
[Its written on my heart]
The Father's song
The Father's love
You sung it over me and for eternity
Its written on my heart
Its written on my heart
You sing it over me
Father
https://lyricstranslate.com
- Published on
Add Estuary and Crinan Ferry, Argyll
Today's message is a You Tube devotional from Pastor Carter Conlon of Times Square Church in New York. It is from a daily encouragement series called Why I'm Not Afraid. Gill and I watched this together yesterday evening and both felt that we would like to share this. We hope that you will be as blessed and encouraged by this as we are.
This link is also to be found as the featured video on our 'Video Links' page, along with a few other links that we have found helpful.
This link is also to be found as the featured video on our 'Video Links' page, along with a few other links that we have found helpful.
PRAYER
Lord, I recognise my need for peace in my spirit, particularly so at this time of great threat, and I know that you are my comforter; my deliverer from all fears and anxieties and my strength to endure - a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Help me, Lord. I pray for peace for my family and protection from the danger. May your light lead us through the darkness.
In Jesus name. Amen
Lord, I recognise my need for peace in my spirit, particularly so at this time of great threat, and I know that you are my comforter; my deliverer from all fears and anxieties and my strength to endure - a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Help me, Lord. I pray for peace for my family and protection from the danger. May your light lead us through the darkness.
In Jesus name. Amen
- Published on
Heart in the Clouds above Kilberry, Knapdale
Have you noticed that nowadays, when a distressing event occurs, politicians or concerned individuals say that so-and-so is in their thoughts, only rarely is prayer mentioned?
Even the word ‘prayer’ has become pushed out of common usage. Of course, this is part of our increasingly secularised society, which does not like to acknowledge that Christian faith has a meaningful part to play in the lives of many, even although this is far from the truth. Faith seems to be treated as an add-on commodity, with a range of spiritual options available.
Many years ago, I was in that same camp. I see now that deep down I had an embryo faith, but refused to let it grow. I treated faith as an optional extra and it wasn’t ‘cool’ in my peer group.
“The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.”
(Psalm 94:11)
The Bible makes clear that there are 2 types of thoughts. Those of man and those of God.
“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:7-10)
We can see from this well-known passage that only the thoughts of the righteous man (a man or woman rightly related to Father God) will be heard, because they will chime with The Lord’s nature; with who He is.
“He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
(1 Peter 3:10-12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16)
Oswald Chambers said that prayer is the work to which the Lord called us, “but remember, it is prayer based on His agony, not on our agony”. He also said “Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it.”
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
(John 14:13-14)
Even the word ‘prayer’ has become pushed out of common usage. Of course, this is part of our increasingly secularised society, which does not like to acknowledge that Christian faith has a meaningful part to play in the lives of many, even although this is far from the truth. Faith seems to be treated as an add-on commodity, with a range of spiritual options available.
Many years ago, I was in that same camp. I see now that deep down I had an embryo faith, but refused to let it grow. I treated faith as an optional extra and it wasn’t ‘cool’ in my peer group.
“The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.”
(Psalm 94:11)
The Bible makes clear that there are 2 types of thoughts. Those of man and those of God.
“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:7-10)
We can see from this well-known passage that only the thoughts of the righteous man (a man or woman rightly related to Father God) will be heard, because they will chime with The Lord’s nature; with who He is.
“He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
(1 Peter 3:10-12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16)
Oswald Chambers said that prayer is the work to which the Lord called us, “but remember, it is prayer based on His agony, not on our agony”. He also said “Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it.”
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
(John 14:13-14)
PRAYER
I thank You Lord and praise You for delivering me day by day from living life my way to choosing to living life Your way; in Your life.
Hallelujah!
I thank You Lord and praise You for delivering me day by day from living life my way to choosing to living life Your way; in Your life.
Hallelujah!
- Published on
Hills behind Crinan from The Moine Mhor
Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet, as it were, a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.
(Exodus 24:9-10 NKJV)
One thing that we need at this testing time is clarity of thought, a clear understanding of our circumstances, so that we can follow the line that will get us through the difficulty, for there is danger for the unguarded life.
We know that the Holy Spirit speaks understanding and wisdom to us in a constant stream of life and love from God, yet we often miss what He is saying as we busy ourselves with the cares and worries of each day. This is certainly true for myself, so when I read the Exodus verses above, they grabbed my attention ... or maybe I should say that The Holy Spirit managed to elbow through my cluttered mind to speak truth and life to me.
Why should this be?
31st March 2020
(Exodus 24:9-10 NKJV)
One thing that we need at this testing time is clarity of thought, a clear understanding of our circumstances, so that we can follow the line that will get us through the difficulty, for there is danger for the unguarded life.
We know that the Holy Spirit speaks understanding and wisdom to us in a constant stream of life and love from God, yet we often miss what He is saying as we busy ourselves with the cares and worries of each day. This is certainly true for myself, so when I read the Exodus verses above, they grabbed my attention ... or maybe I should say that The Holy Spirit managed to elbow through my cluttered mind to speak truth and life to me.
Why should this be?
- Well, in concentrating on scripture, I had settled my mind to hear from The Lord, opened the channel of communication with Him, and taken the first step - going up to see the God of Israel.
- Moses took people along with him, Aaron Nadab and Abihu, whose names mean ‘light-bringer’, ‘generous’ and ‘He is (my) father’. We can see that it is important when we come before our God that we come in expectation of His great love towards us. These three names wonderfully express the nature of our Heavenly Father.
- The seventy elders are important also. Seventy is used to indicate ‘restoration of life’ and I remember being told that if one could sum up The Bible in a word, that word would be ‘restoration’.
31st March 2020
- Published on
Let us come before His presence... We are coming before The King, and we should give Him His place "in the midst of us".
Esther 6:8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: {Let…: Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel} {which the king…: Heb. wherewith the king clotheth himself}
9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. {bring…: Heb. cause him to ride}
When we talk of 'the man whom the king delighteth to honour', that 'man' is Christ, but The LORD desires that 'the man' would be us also ... the King's most noble princes – spiritual Israel, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: {in: or, among}
'Israel' was the name the LORD gave to Jacob. 'Jacob' means 'supplanter' (one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another) , but when he had a change of name – and nature, and thus Jacob 'the Supplanter' became Israel 'the prince of God'... and the prince is the son of the king. It is another way of saying Christ in you, the hope of glory. By accepting Christ we undergo a change of nature, but it is not something that we are capable of doing. Only The LORD can change the nature, and it is a battle ... because we will fight Him every step of the way ... do we not? Just like Jacob did. Only by wrestling with 'a man' did Jacob 'come before His presence'. We simply cannot come before, see, hear or feel His presence without being changed first. Changed to be more like Him.
Here is the story in Genesis 32: 22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. {Jabbok: Heb.emptying}
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. {sent them: Heb. caused to pass}
24 ¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. {breaking … Heb. ascending of the morning}
Note that Jacob passed over the ford Jabbok, which means 'emptying'. A necessary preparation for any encounter with God. We have to empty ourselves of any of the baggage that we haul around with us. In that well-known hymn, 'Just as I am', we are not singing to God to take us warts and all, but as we are without all that clobber, stripped back to the barest we are, so that we are as God created us, just as 'I am that I am' needs us to be to come into His presence. Jacob was left alone. We each of us must also be alone when we wrestle with 'a man' over who is to have control over this vessel. Is it to be ourselves...or God?
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
The hollow of his thigh, his 'loins', represents his power, his right to himself...
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. {Israel: that is, A prince of God}
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. {Peniel: that is, The face of God}
His life was preserved because He saw God face to face. Peniel means 'the face of God', and the peni part comes from the same Hebrew word that is often translated as 'presence'. The el at the end is one of the names for God, and you can see that in many Hebrew names – Daniel; Ezekiel and so on. But we can see now the connection. By coming face to face with God we are coming before the very presence of God and our lives are preserved. We are delivered, rescued... saved!
We have been drawn out of our death into the life of Christ.
Esther 6:8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: {Let…: Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel} {which the king…: Heb. wherewith the king clotheth himself}
9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. {bring…: Heb. cause him to ride}
When we talk of 'the man whom the king delighteth to honour', that 'man' is Christ, but The LORD desires that 'the man' would be us also ... the King's most noble princes – spiritual Israel, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: {in: or, among}
'Israel' was the name the LORD gave to Jacob. 'Jacob' means 'supplanter' (one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another) , but when he had a change of name – and nature, and thus Jacob 'the Supplanter' became Israel 'the prince of God'... and the prince is the son of the king. It is another way of saying Christ in you, the hope of glory. By accepting Christ we undergo a change of nature, but it is not something that we are capable of doing. Only The LORD can change the nature, and it is a battle ... because we will fight Him every step of the way ... do we not? Just like Jacob did. Only by wrestling with 'a man' did Jacob 'come before His presence'. We simply cannot come before, see, hear or feel His presence without being changed first. Changed to be more like Him.
Here is the story in Genesis 32: 22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. {Jabbok: Heb.emptying}
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. {sent them: Heb. caused to pass}
24 ¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. {breaking … Heb. ascending of the morning}
Note that Jacob passed over the ford Jabbok, which means 'emptying'. A necessary preparation for any encounter with God. We have to empty ourselves of any of the baggage that we haul around with us. In that well-known hymn, 'Just as I am', we are not singing to God to take us warts and all, but as we are without all that clobber, stripped back to the barest we are, so that we are as God created us, just as 'I am that I am' needs us to be to come into His presence. Jacob was left alone. We each of us must also be alone when we wrestle with 'a man' over who is to have control over this vessel. Is it to be ourselves...or God?
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
The hollow of his thigh, his 'loins', represents his power, his right to himself...
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. {Israel: that is, A prince of God}
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. {Peniel: that is, The face of God}
His life was preserved because He saw God face to face. Peniel means 'the face of God', and the peni part comes from the same Hebrew word that is often translated as 'presence'. The el at the end is one of the names for God, and you can see that in many Hebrew names – Daniel; Ezekiel and so on. But we can see now the connection. By coming face to face with God we are coming before the very presence of God and our lives are preserved. We are delivered, rescued... saved!
We have been drawn out of our death into the life of Christ.
- Published on
2019 has seen a ‘bumpy’ one for us all, as the Queen said in her Christmas broadcast, with much to trouble us, but more importantly, so much more for which to be thankful.
Dear ones have been lost to us with many partings being sudden and unexpected. Ill-health has also been the experience of many, within and without our small circle, so we lift up our hearts in praise to our God who has sustained us, and more, given us cause for rejoicing through the fiery trials.
1 PETER 4
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
All these troubles are to be expected, yet we rarely do. This is probably a good thing, otherwise we would spend our days looking in the wrong direction, focussing on the problem instead of the solution - at the creation, not The Creator. I freely admit that I write these words for my own benefit as for anyone else. The pressures of life in this digital speed-dialled age may not be different to those experienced across the centuries, merely that they assail us at a faster pace.
MATTHEW 14:
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
In our fear of the events in the natural world, it is a glorious truth that we have the gift through the Holy Spirit of seeing Jesus walking on the sea. He has overcome the turmoil and as soon as He is reborn anew in the moment of crisis, we have unhindered access to His overcoming. It is a New Testament fulfilment if words found in Genesis 1:
2b And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
This is the time of the fourth watch - all is darkest just before the dawn - it is the last of the night, when the agents of our tribulation are still working and our need to see The Lord and His light becomes the more intense.
I believe that this is The Lord’s purpose in our lives. Simply, that we see Him walking on the waters. We think of this as our walk; God says this is the end He desires for us - the certainty that all is well because we see Jesus.
At Christmas, celebrating Jesus’ birth, maybe we are reminded of seeing the reality of Jesus for the first time - newborn in us. Now we see Him matured and walking atop the sea of humanity - Lord of All.
The keyword as always is ‘now’. ‘Now’ is all we ever really have, so whatever our state of being is in this instant, may we see Jesus and hear Him say “Be of good cheer”.
With love and every blessing,
George and Gill
for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship
Dear ones have been lost to us with many partings being sudden and unexpected. Ill-health has also been the experience of many, within and without our small circle, so we lift up our hearts in praise to our God who has sustained us, and more, given us cause for rejoicing through the fiery trials.
1 PETER 4
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
All these troubles are to be expected, yet we rarely do. This is probably a good thing, otherwise we would spend our days looking in the wrong direction, focussing on the problem instead of the solution - at the creation, not The Creator. I freely admit that I write these words for my own benefit as for anyone else. The pressures of life in this digital speed-dialled age may not be different to those experienced across the centuries, merely that they assail us at a faster pace.
MATTHEW 14:
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
In our fear of the events in the natural world, it is a glorious truth that we have the gift through the Holy Spirit of seeing Jesus walking on the sea. He has overcome the turmoil and as soon as He is reborn anew in the moment of crisis, we have unhindered access to His overcoming. It is a New Testament fulfilment if words found in Genesis 1:
2b And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
This is the time of the fourth watch - all is darkest just before the dawn - it is the last of the night, when the agents of our tribulation are still working and our need to see The Lord and His light becomes the more intense.
I believe that this is The Lord’s purpose in our lives. Simply, that we see Him walking on the waters. We think of this as our walk; God says this is the end He desires for us - the certainty that all is well because we see Jesus.
At Christmas, celebrating Jesus’ birth, maybe we are reminded of seeing the reality of Jesus for the first time - newborn in us. Now we see Him matured and walking atop the sea of humanity - Lord of All.
The keyword as always is ‘now’. ‘Now’ is all we ever really have, so whatever our state of being is in this instant, may we see Jesus and hear Him say “Be of good cheer”.
With love and every blessing,
George and Gill
for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship
- Published on
PSALM 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by The LORD and he delights in His way
Two paintings in our collection show a view of steps. The first by the late Ian Purvis shows steps in a Mediterranean village lane going uphill, and a painting by myself of the Calvari Steps in Pollensa, Mallorca, is of the scene looking down to the cathedral.
Our Fellowship meeting recently dwelt for a time on mountains in Scripture, their meaning and spiritual significance.
Reading Hebrews 12, there appeared to be a pattern over the chapter of ascending to the spiritual peak of Zion, and then an encouragement to hear the Lord's voice when we are living our daily lives in the valley below. Keeping our minds and hearts set upon the glorious heights above, of which we have tasted and been filled.
The chapter emphasises the allusion and talks of a literal peak from verse 18 ¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
The Chapter concludes thus: 28 Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
He will burn away all that is not of Him within us - the 'refiner's fire' - eliminating the impurities.
The daily reality for us is in letting The LORD lead us down the spiritual mountainside to fellowship in His church (remain in His presence), and to lead us on our journey up and down the spiritual slopes of our lives - strengthening the bond of love with Him, until at last we come into rest in Zion, The City of the Living God.
PSALM 119:133 "Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me"
Two paintings in our collection show a view of steps. The first by the late Ian Purvis shows steps in a Mediterranean village lane going uphill, and a painting by myself of the Calvari Steps in Pollensa, Mallorca, is of the scene looking down to the cathedral.
Our Fellowship meeting recently dwelt for a time on mountains in Scripture, their meaning and spiritual significance.
Reading Hebrews 12, there appeared to be a pattern over the chapter of ascending to the spiritual peak of Zion, and then an encouragement to hear the Lord's voice when we are living our daily lives in the valley below. Keeping our minds and hearts set upon the glorious heights above, of which we have tasted and been filled.
The chapter emphasises the allusion and talks of a literal peak from verse 18 ¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
The Chapter concludes thus: 28 Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
He will burn away all that is not of Him within us - the 'refiner's fire' - eliminating the impurities.
The daily reality for us is in letting The LORD lead us down the spiritual mountainside to fellowship in His church (remain in His presence), and to lead us on our journey up and down the spiritual slopes of our lives - strengthening the bond of love with Him, until at last we come into rest in Zion, The City of the Living God.
PSALM 119:133 "Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me"
Postscript
THE POWER TO DESCEND
Following this meditation on climbing the hill to Zion, we came across this paragraph in Oswald Chamber's 'The Love of God' which seems an effective coda to what we have already shared ...
"The test of spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, there is something wrong. We all have had times on the mount when we have seen things from God's standpoint and we wanted to stay there; but if we are disciples of Jesus Christ, He will never allow us to stay there.
Spiritual selfishness makes us want to stay on the mount; we feel so good, as if we could do anything - talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay there. But there must be the power to descend; the mountain is not the place for us to live, we were built for the valleys.
This is one of the hardest things to learn because spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount."
THE POWER TO DESCEND
Following this meditation on climbing the hill to Zion, we came across this paragraph in Oswald Chamber's 'The Love of God' which seems an effective coda to what we have already shared ...
"The test of spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, there is something wrong. We all have had times on the mount when we have seen things from God's standpoint and we wanted to stay there; but if we are disciples of Jesus Christ, He will never allow us to stay there.
Spiritual selfishness makes us want to stay on the mount; we feel so good, as if we could do anything - talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay there. But there must be the power to descend; the mountain is not the place for us to live, we were built for the valleys.
This is one of the hardest things to learn because spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount."