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A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
[John 16:21-22 NKJV]
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
[John 16:21-22 NKJV]
Grandchildren when very small.
These words from John's Gospel are very much in our thoughts today, as our Emma goes into hospital today to give birth again. We are praying fervently that all will be well, of course, and we have the wonderful assurance of Jesus' words, that the anguish now is soon to be followed by such a joy no one will take from you.
Jesus was referring to our rebirth from on high, when the joy of the Lord becomes our strength in a new intimate relationship with Him, and His words resonate all the more with us because we all understand at the deepest level, the joy of a new birth into the world, for that brings with it such hope and promise.
Jesus was referring to our rebirth from on high, when the joy of the Lord becomes our strength in a new intimate relationship with Him, and His words resonate all the more with us because we all understand at the deepest level, the joy of a new birth into the world, for that brings with it such hope and promise.
Stan's song for today seems an appropriate choice for this post - "Shout To The Lord" - Light Generation
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Tuesday 5th May 2020
God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour,
but only for the strain of the moment.
Tuesday 5th May 2020
God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour,
but only for the strain of the moment.
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Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the people who know the joyful sound [who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts]; they walk, O Lord, in the light and favour of Your countenance! [Psalm 89:15 AMPC]
O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the Lord. [!saiah 2:5 NKJV]
But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. [1 John 1:7 AMPC]
O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the Lord. [!saiah 2:5 NKJV]
But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. [1 John 1:7 AMPC]
Crinan Ferry across the Add Estuary, Mid Argyll
The light of The Lord, or The Light of The World is probably the best recognised pattern in The Bible today. We readily understand that light is the opposite of darkness from a very early age. How wise of our Heavenly Father in always speaking directly to the fundamental parts of us, but then, as our Creator, He knows more about us than we do ourselves.
Interestingly, light has three primary properties - speed, reflection and colour; and seven basic properties - reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, dispersion and scattering; and how amazing that we should discover in the science of light, the numbers that signify God's handiwork - three and seven.
In our first Bible quote this morning, 'who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts', although an amplification of the original writing, reveals an underlying sense of relationship between the feasts mentioned in The Bible and The Light of The Lord. The Great Feasts of Israel were three in number - Passover, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles. Passover is actually three feasts together, as is Tabernacles, while Pentecost stands alone, making seven in all.
The purpose of the celebration of these feasts in spiritual terms is to lead us out of sin and darkness and bring us into the fullness of the light. Hallelujah!
Interestingly, light has three primary properties - speed, reflection and colour; and seven basic properties - reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, dispersion and scattering; and how amazing that we should discover in the science of light, the numbers that signify God's handiwork - three and seven.
In our first Bible quote this morning, 'who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts', although an amplification of the original writing, reveals an underlying sense of relationship between the feasts mentioned in The Bible and The Light of The Lord. The Great Feasts of Israel were three in number - Passover, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles. Passover is actually three feasts together, as is Tabernacles, while Pentecost stands alone, making seven in all.
The purpose of the celebration of these feasts in spiritual terms is to lead us out of sin and darkness and bring us into the fullness of the light. Hallelujah!
'Here I Am To Worship (Light of The World You stepped down into darkness)' - Heart of Worship
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Monday 4th May 2020
"If we walk in the light as He is in the light."
Walking in the light means walking according to His standard,
which is now ours.
Monday 4th May 2020
"If we walk in the light as He is in the light."
Walking in the light means walking according to His standard,
which is now ours.
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When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
[Luke 22:14-20 NKJV]
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
[Luke 22:14-20 NKJV]
Cherry blossom in Dove Cottage garden, Kilmartin, Argyll
Jesus had a fervent desire for this meeting in the upper room with his disciples. For Him this was an essential part of His time on earth with us. There is an intensity about Him, and His do this in remembrance of me, was no mere request. Without this 'doing', the remembrance would be a passing thought only.
It is in the 'doing' that we truly follow Him and become broken bread and poured out wine in His service.
It is in the 'doing' that we truly follow Him and become broken bread and poured out wine in His service.
'Broken Bread and Poured Out Wine' - communion song by Raphael Giglio
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Sunday 3rd May 2020
My worth to God in public is what I am in private.
Is my ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him,
or is it something else, no matter how noble?
Sunday 3rd May 2020
My worth to God in public is what I am in private.
Is my ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him,
or is it something else, no matter how noble?
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And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.” [Genesis 21:26 NKJV]
Dunadd (Scottish Gaelic Dùn Ad, 'fort on the [River] Add') is a hillfort dating from the Iron Age and early medieval period in Kilmichael Glassary in Argyll and Bute, Scotland and believed to be the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata.[1][2] Dal Riata, as a kingdom, appeared in Argyll in the early centuries AD, after the Romans had abandoned Scotland. Rulers of Argyll were Gaelic speakers. Dunadd is a hill on which they built a citadel.
... or were you not listening?
Abraham's way of dealing with a potentially difficult situation with Abimelech, who had violently seized a well of water, was to make a covenant with him, and the place where this happened was named Beersheba (the well of the oath).
Abimelech was being devious and deceitful, deliberately not understanding Abraham's meaning, but the end result was that Abimelech returned to the land of the Philistines and Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called upon the name of The Lord, the Everlasting God.
Abraham took the path of peace and did not argue the case. Indeed he further blessed his enemy with the gift of seven lambs, and He did so because of His trust in what God told him. He remained faithful, having heard God speak, and praised the name of The Lord.
How often have we said to someone, "You never told me that!", or "I didn't know!" The legal maxim is Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and we must be so grateful that we have such a faithful and merciful God, who is no legalist, and blesses us so mightily.
But the real lesson is to hear from The Holy Spirit and follow Abraham's example and bless others even when they ill-use us. Abraham was the real winner from this exchange, for He stayed in the land of the Philistines many days, because He trusted a Faithful God.
Abraham's way of dealing with a potentially difficult situation with Abimelech, who had violently seized a well of water, was to make a covenant with him, and the place where this happened was named Beersheba (the well of the oath).
Abimelech was being devious and deceitful, deliberately not understanding Abraham's meaning, but the end result was that Abimelech returned to the land of the Philistines and Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called upon the name of The Lord, the Everlasting God.
Abraham took the path of peace and did not argue the case. Indeed he further blessed his enemy with the gift of seven lambs, and He did so because of His trust in what God told him. He remained faithful, having heard God speak, and praised the name of The Lord.
How often have we said to someone, "You never told me that!", or "I didn't know!" The legal maxim is Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and we must be so grateful that we have such a faithful and merciful God, who is no legalist, and blesses us so mightily.
But the real lesson is to hear from The Holy Spirit and follow Abraham's example and bless others even when they ill-use us. Abraham was the real winner from this exchange, for He stayed in the land of the Philistines many days, because He trusted a Faithful God.
'Faithful One' - sung by Robin Mark
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Saturday 2nd May 2020
Faith is not intelligent understanding.
Faith is a deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way.
Saturday 2nd May 2020
Faith is not intelligent understanding.
Faith is a deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way.
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And the Lord said to Moses, Write these words, for after the purpose and character of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.
[Exodus 34:27 AMPC]
And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
[Genesis 37:8 NKJV]
[Exodus 34:27 AMPC]
And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
[Genesis 37:8 NKJV]
Florentine Triptych (photograph by George John Stewart 2012).
Whenever we sit with our Bibles and consider scripture we must at some point come to the conclusion that some words used are foreign to our understanding with the natural mind. It is a given that we need the inspiration (the breathing in) of the Holy Spirit to help us reach for the Lord's meaning for today. And He will reveal more and more as we mature in our faith. It is a walk after all and we do not reach our destination instantaneously.
Sir Christopher Wren is reputed to have said that his design for St Paul's Cathedral in London was 'awful, amusing and artificial'. You would think that he thought poorly of it, but if we used more present-day words, we would say something like 'awe-inspiring, thought-provoking and beautifully done'. 'Awful' meant full of awe; 'amusing' described how it would engage our attention and hopefully be pleasing, and 'artificial' came from the word 'artifice' meaning clever or ingenious. We sometimes forget that The Bible was originally set down in a language not our own; one that was described as 'word poor', in that one word had many meanings or inflections.
In the Exodus verse above, The Lord urges Moses to consider His covenant after the purpose and character of these words. In other words, "Do you understand what I am saying, Moses?" So when we read the Genesis we see what Joseph's brothers wanted to know. They were making a distinction between dominion and reign. Now both dominion and reign can be and sometimes are replaced by the word 'rule'. So what is the distinction?
To reign has the additional sense of to counsel, to advise and consider, rather than the mere exercise of power. In essence, Joseph's brothers are asking "Are you going to rule with fairness and justice, seeking the best for your people, or are you going to be a tyrant?".
We must always remember that Jesus disappointed His disciples at the end. He was to be King of Kings. For Jesus, 'reigning' seemed to be 'despised of men'; they had yet to realise that His kingdom was turning the world upside down so that we could all be 'rightly related to God'.
What an amazing and wonderful thing it is that we have a Heavenly Father, who seeks no dominion over us, but gives us free will to come to Him or not, just as we choose; but if we choose Him now and every now, He invites us to grow in faith, hope and love until we are ready to rule and reign with His son. Our God reigns!
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. [Revelation 20:6 AV]
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. [Revelation 22:5 AV]
Sir Christopher Wren is reputed to have said that his design for St Paul's Cathedral in London was 'awful, amusing and artificial'. You would think that he thought poorly of it, but if we used more present-day words, we would say something like 'awe-inspiring, thought-provoking and beautifully done'. 'Awful' meant full of awe; 'amusing' described how it would engage our attention and hopefully be pleasing, and 'artificial' came from the word 'artifice' meaning clever or ingenious. We sometimes forget that The Bible was originally set down in a language not our own; one that was described as 'word poor', in that one word had many meanings or inflections.
In the Exodus verse above, The Lord urges Moses to consider His covenant after the purpose and character of these words. In other words, "Do you understand what I am saying, Moses?" So when we read the Genesis we see what Joseph's brothers wanted to know. They were making a distinction between dominion and reign. Now both dominion and reign can be and sometimes are replaced by the word 'rule'. So what is the distinction?
To reign has the additional sense of to counsel, to advise and consider, rather than the mere exercise of power. In essence, Joseph's brothers are asking "Are you going to rule with fairness and justice, seeking the best for your people, or are you going to be a tyrant?".
We must always remember that Jesus disappointed His disciples at the end. He was to be King of Kings. For Jesus, 'reigning' seemed to be 'despised of men'; they had yet to realise that His kingdom was turning the world upside down so that we could all be 'rightly related to God'.
What an amazing and wonderful thing it is that we have a Heavenly Father, who seeks no dominion over us, but gives us free will to come to Him or not, just as we choose; but if we choose Him now and every now, He invites us to grow in faith, hope and love until we are ready to rule and reign with His son. Our God reigns!
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. [Revelation 20:6 AV]
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. [Revelation 22:5 AV]
"Our God Reigns" - Edward Rivera and The McClures
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Thursday 30th April 2020
Faith is more than an attitude of mind,
faith is the complete, passionate, earnest trust of our whole nature
in the Gospel of God's grace
as it is presented in the Life and Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday 30th April 2020
Faith is more than an attitude of mind,
faith is the complete, passionate, earnest trust of our whole nature
in the Gospel of God's grace
as it is presented in the Life and Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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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.
[Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV]
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]
Rain falling on Jura, as seen from Ardifuir, Argyll. (The cloud cover seemed like a hand over the landscape)
In these unsettling days, we have a tremendous assurance of The Lord's covering hand on us, and the peace that comes from His strength encourages us to trust Him, not just in the present trial, but in all things. We have experienced His love, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28 NKJV].
Our God is the only one we can trust. He is unfailing and unchanging. The natural life teaches us to distrust. People let us down, or simply stop short of our expectations. The reality of this is that our focus is on ourselves - what we want - instead of looking to Our Saviour and what He wants. He wants us daily to repent - to turn ourselves around - our gaze on Him, not on ourselves. Looking to Him, we can accomplish great things, in His strength; things we would never countenance in our own.
It puts in mind a poem, written by Leo Marx, Code Poem For The French Resistance. It was used in the film Carve Her Name With Pride, which told the true story of Violette Szabo, shot by the Nazi's as a spy. Violette was played in the film by Virginia McKenna, for whom the poem became a personal favourite. The poem reads as a message of love and faith, both essentials for trust.
Our God is the only one we can trust. He is unfailing and unchanging. The natural life teaches us to distrust. People let us down, or simply stop short of our expectations. The reality of this is that our focus is on ourselves - what we want - instead of looking to Our Saviour and what He wants. He wants us daily to repent - to turn ourselves around - our gaze on Him, not on ourselves. Looking to Him, we can accomplish great things, in His strength; things we would never countenance in our own.
It puts in mind a poem, written by Leo Marx, Code Poem For The French Resistance. It was used in the film Carve Her Name With Pride, which told the true story of Violette Szabo, shot by the Nazi's as a spy. Violette was played in the film by Virginia McKenna, for whom the poem became a personal favourite. The poem reads as a message of love and faith, both essentials for trust.
The life that I have, is all that I have
And the life that I have is yours
The love that I have of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have, a rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years in the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
And the life that I have is yours
The love that I have of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have, a rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years in the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
The beauty of this poem - as indeed of all great art - is the multi-layers of meaning that can be discerned. It was devised as a code, although what that code was is unclear, but these verses have consistently meant a lot to many people and in many different ways.
Lord, help me to trust in you - and to nurture that trust that I may find 'the peace of my years'. In deed and in truth, 'all that I have is the life that I have' and my life was bought at such a price by You, Lord. Direct my ways to be Yours, and Yours, and Yours.
Lord, help me to trust in you - and to nurture that trust that I may find 'the peace of my years'. In deed and in truth, 'all that I have is the life that I have' and my life was bought at such a price by You, Lord. Direct my ways to be Yours, and Yours, and Yours.
Virginia McKenna as Violette Szabo in the film 'Carve Her Name With Pride'
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Wednesday 29th April 2020
Obedience to Jesus Christ is essential, but never compulsory.
In the early stages we have the notion that the Christian life is one of freedom,
and so it is, but freedom for one thing only - freedom to obey our Master.
Wednesday 29th April 2020
Obedience to Jesus Christ is essential, but never compulsory.
In the early stages we have the notion that the Christian life is one of freedom,
and so it is, but freedom for one thing only - freedom to obey our Master.
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Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV]
Running the race along the towpath, Crinan Canal, Argyll
For the last three days I have had today's title running around in my head trying to find a home. I knew that the Lord was speaking - distilling some things together - but it proved to be an elusive message. Until this morning.
I went to bed last night trying to 'search it out' [1], and was given a vivid and strange non-sensical dream, in which I was wading into water trying to drag a cluster of eider ducks to shore when they plainly wanted to stay where they were, as well as explaining the Scripture below to our son, Marc.
I went to bed last night trying to 'search it out' [1], and was given a vivid and strange non-sensical dream, in which I was wading into water trying to drag a cluster of eider ducks to shore when they plainly wanted to stay where they were, as well as explaining the Scripture below to our son, Marc.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.
And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” [Exodus 16:4-5 NKJV]
And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” [Exodus 16:4-5 NKJV]
'Manna' probably comes from the word manan, to allot, or make a gift of. This manna from heaven is, of course, the Lord's daily provision, except on the sixth day, when an extra amount is made ready to allow for the Sabbath being a day of rest. What the Lord seems to be stressing is that He gives us what we need for now. If any of it is hoarded it ceases to sustain. None of us would consider eating food which had lain out for several days; that would be foolish and damaging to our well-being. Equally, eating more than our daily portion would not be wise either.
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, must be seen as a daily thing, taking the sustaining manna of His word to help us in overcoming the hazards that could easily send us off the track. Our God is a god of now; of today, and He desires the best for us and He knows what we are like.
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, must be seen as a daily thing, taking the sustaining manna of His word to help us in overcoming the hazards that could easily send us off the track. Our God is a god of now; of today, and He desires the best for us and He knows what we are like.
But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. [John 2:24-25 NKJV]
If we spend our days living in what happened yesterday and fretting over what might occur tomorrow, then we do not have our all concentrated on Him today. Run the race with Him as your pacemaker; one day at a time ...
[1] It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
[Proverbs 25:2 NKJV]
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
[Proverbs 25:2 NKJV]
"One Day At A Time" - Lena Martell
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“The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.
Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.
Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified.
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.” [Isaiah 60:19-22 NKJV]
Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.
Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified.
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.” [Isaiah 60:19-22 NKJV]
Barnacles clinging to a rock at Shell Beach, Tarbert, Argyll
There is a time to every purpose under the heaven, said in Ecclesiastes 3:1 and our verse in Isaiah 60 I, The Lord will hasten it in its time, makes it clear that the time for anything is His time, not ours. Indeed, God says we do not understand the time we are in ...
For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them. [Eccesiastes 9:12 NKJV]
We may think we see the end from the beginning, but if we act as though that end had already happened, we fall out of step with God. He wants us to be where He has us - now!
We have been told by the politicians that we know this pandemic we are going through will end at some point - possibly in three months, six months, and now probably fourteen months time. The fact is that no one can tell. Viruses do not just go away - they must be eradicated. The Lord seems to be telling us that the pestilence will be overcome, but in His time, not ours. He is teaching us to hear and obey His word, and to draw patience (longsuffering in AKJV) from His Holy Spirit.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, [2 Peter 3:8-15 NKJV]
We have been told by the politicians that we know this pandemic we are going through will end at some point - possibly in three months, six months, and now probably fourteen months time. The fact is that no one can tell. Viruses do not just go away - they must be eradicated. The Lord seems to be telling us that the pestilence will be overcome, but in His time, not ours. He is teaching us to hear and obey His word, and to draw patience (longsuffering in AKJV) from His Holy Spirit.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, [2 Peter 3:8-15 NKJV]
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O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? [Psalm 8:1-4 AV]
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? [Psalm 8:1-4 AV]
Sanda Island in cloud, Southend, Kintyre
In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: [Daniel 5:5a AV]
The King, Belshazzar, saw the fingers of a man's hand write on the wall* and he was greatly troubled by the message from God - he could not interpret it - and called on all his astrologers, soothsayers and wise men to find the meaning of the heavenly writing, but they too failed to find the answer. They could not understand what God was pointing at. Only Daniel ('in whom is the spirit of the holy gods') could give the understanding.
It is always the case that only those that have eyes to see and ears to hear will understand the works of God; will see what the finger of God is writing in their hearts. The Hebrew word for 'finger' means to seize or grasp. It is an active word. We cannot grip without fingers - either physical or spiritual ones - and when The Lord wants us to grab hold of something that He is saying to us, He uses the finger of His Holy Spirit to point us in the right direction, be it a verse of scripture, a word spoken by a friend, or a thought placed in our minds.
Now a similar word, but from the same root word as 'finger', means 'diverse colours'; used for Joseph's coat of 'many colours'. Colour has great spiritual significance in Scripture - too much to go into detail here - but for me as a painter in watercolour, I know that my colour is a pigment suspended in water, properly a 'colloid' - a cloud of colour held in place by the action of water molecules on the particles of pigment. In the science class at school, this 'Brownian Motion' could be observed through the use of a thing called a 'Wilson Cloud Chamber'* This device allows us to understand what is happening through the action of light shining through a cloud.
God's fingers bring the light of understanding to His people. He shines the clear pure light of The Holy Spirit through the clouds in our minds, so that we 'see the light' ...
... and when white light is shone through a prism, it splits into many colours - or to turn it around - many colours make up one pure light. To me this speaks of the many attributes of God in one; that He is The great God above all gods.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. [John 1:1-9 NKJV]
It is always the case that only those that have eyes to see and ears to hear will understand the works of God; will see what the finger of God is writing in their hearts. The Hebrew word for 'finger' means to seize or grasp. It is an active word. We cannot grip without fingers - either physical or spiritual ones - and when The Lord wants us to grab hold of something that He is saying to us, He uses the finger of His Holy Spirit to point us in the right direction, be it a verse of scripture, a word spoken by a friend, or a thought placed in our minds.
Now a similar word, but from the same root word as 'finger', means 'diverse colours'; used for Joseph's coat of 'many colours'. Colour has great spiritual significance in Scripture - too much to go into detail here - but for me as a painter in watercolour, I know that my colour is a pigment suspended in water, properly a 'colloid' - a cloud of colour held in place by the action of water molecules on the particles of pigment. In the science class at school, this 'Brownian Motion' could be observed through the use of a thing called a 'Wilson Cloud Chamber'* This device allows us to understand what is happening through the action of light shining through a cloud.
God's fingers bring the light of understanding to His people. He shines the clear pure light of The Holy Spirit through the clouds in our minds, so that we 'see the light' ...
... and when white light is shone through a prism, it splits into many colours - or to turn it around - many colours make up one pure light. To me this speaks of the many attributes of God in one; that He is The great God above all gods.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. [John 1:1-9 NKJV]
* Note that the fingers wrote over against the candlestick, the source of light.
** Charles Thomson Rees Wilson (1869–1959), a Scottish physicist, is credited with inventing the cloud chamber. Inspired by sightings of the Brocken spectre while working on the summit of Ben Nevis in 1894, he began to develop expansion chambers for studying cloud formation and optical phenomena in moist air. Very rapidly he discovered that ions could act as centres for water droplet formation in such chambers. He pursued the application of this discovery and perfected the first cloud chamber in 1911.
In Wilson's original chamber the air inside the sealed device was saturated with water vapour, then a diaphragm was used to expand the air inside the chamber (adiabatic expansion), cooling the air and starting to condense water vapour. Hence the name expansion cloud chamber is used.
When an ionizing particle passes through the chamber, water vapour condenses on the resulting ions and the trail of the particle is visible in the vapour cloud.
Wilson, along with Arthur Compton, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927 for his work on the cloud chamber. This kind of chamber is also called a pulsed chamber because the conditions for operation are not continuously maintained. Further developments were made by Patrick Blackett who utilised a stiff spring to expand and compress the chamber very rapidly, making the chamber sensitive to particles several times a second. A cine film was used to record the images.
** Charles Thomson Rees Wilson (1869–1959), a Scottish physicist, is credited with inventing the cloud chamber. Inspired by sightings of the Brocken spectre while working on the summit of Ben Nevis in 1894, he began to develop expansion chambers for studying cloud formation and optical phenomena in moist air. Very rapidly he discovered that ions could act as centres for water droplet formation in such chambers. He pursued the application of this discovery and perfected the first cloud chamber in 1911.
In Wilson's original chamber the air inside the sealed device was saturated with water vapour, then a diaphragm was used to expand the air inside the chamber (adiabatic expansion), cooling the air and starting to condense water vapour. Hence the name expansion cloud chamber is used.
When an ionizing particle passes through the chamber, water vapour condenses on the resulting ions and the trail of the particle is visible in the vapour cloud.
Wilson, along with Arthur Compton, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927 for his work on the cloud chamber. This kind of chamber is also called a pulsed chamber because the conditions for operation are not continuously maintained. Further developments were made by Patrick Blackett who utilised a stiff spring to expand and compress the chamber very rapidly, making the chamber sensitive to particles several times a second. A cine film was used to record the images.
Keep Walking (in the light of The Lord) - Eva Mae LeFevre
- Published on
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. [Acts 9:1-3 NKJV]
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. [Acts 9:1-3 NKJV]
Wicklow Hills, Ireland
What beauty there is seeing the sunlight piercing through a heavy cloud and illuminating the land or sea beneath. I have tried to capture that effect of the weather on many occasions, either photographically or in paint, with mixed results. The real thing remains inimitable.
Many years ago, I heard this light described as 'The Fingers of God', reaching down to us from the heavenlies revealing His hand and thus His presence with us, and I have wondered if this was the light from heaven that shone around Saul on the road to Damascus to round up those of 'The Way' as the early Christians were known.
Certainly, He is a light in our darkness - needed now more than ever.
Many years ago, I heard this light described as 'The Fingers of God', reaching down to us from the heavenlies revealing His hand and thus His presence with us, and I have wondered if this was the light from heaven that shone around Saul on the road to Damascus to round up those of 'The Way' as the early Christians were known.
Certainly, He is a light in our darkness - needed now more than ever.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. [Ephesians 5:8 NKJV]
Think of how we use our fingers ... they are tools for detailed work; they enable the fine caress of a loved one; they turn the pages of a book, plant seeds, prepare food, enable creativity, perform surgery ... a myriad of essentials. We often pray for the Lord to place His hand upon someone to heal or protect, but it will be His fingers that will see to the detail of that work. Our Lord knows even the number of hairs on our heads; He knows every detail, and He does detailed, precise and restoring work in each of us.
The Fingers of God in our photograph are pure light, and just as the shafts of light search through the cloud to find the earth and cast aside the darkness, His fingers grip our hearts and bring His heavenly light to our spirits. His fingers bring divine illumination - a word used to describe the work of monks creating beautiful illustrated Bibles, like The Book of Kells. These books brought light to the minds of men.
The Fingers of God in our photograph are pure light, and just as the shafts of light search through the cloud to find the earth and cast aside the darkness, His fingers grip our hearts and bring His heavenly light to our spirits. His fingers bring divine illumination - a word used to describe the work of monks creating beautiful illustrated Bibles, like The Book of Kells. These books brought light to the minds of men.
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. [Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV]
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. [Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV]
He Touched Me - Gaither Vocal Band