Last Days?

We have all heard the saying "prophet of doom" regarding someone who speaks of events people don't want to know about, but have you also heard of the Doomsday Clock?  Yes, there is one. In 1947 (co-incidentally the year of my birth), it was established by an international group of of researchers called the Chicago Atomic Scientists. The clock was chosen to reflect the urgency of a problem: like a countdown, the clock suggests that destruction will naturally occur unless someone takes action to stop it.

It not only represents nuclear threat but other things such as climate change, bioterrorism and, interestingly, artificial intelligence.  In 1947 it was set at 7 minutes to midnight. During the intervening years it has been set forwards and backwards a number of times as scientists met to consider the current 'climate'.  In January this year it was set at 2 minutes to midnight which is a rather sobering thought.  

You may be wondering why I am writing about this, but I write as a warning; even scientists consider that we are living in the last days.  The Bible has quite a lot to say about the last days.  God's prophets have written for centuries about the last days.  I believe that these last days began when Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem a bit over 2,000 years ago.  

I was stirred to write this as I read the Apostle Peter's two letters written to believers way back about AD68.  He wrote this "I am writing this......that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:2-4

It is certainly a long time since these things were written and the church speaks very little (for the most part), about time, as we know it, running out.  Probably because to do so usually stirs up the scoffers and that is uncomfortable.  Peter addresses the time issue with these words, "...do not forget that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8.   

When the end finally comes for all of mankind, and it will, that will be God's time to judge.  It will be a great 'sorting time' between those who chose to believe God and follow His way and those who chose to refuse his gift of salvation and do life their own way.  Peter goes on to tell us why God allows this time lag.  "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."  God is gracious, loving and patient, but he is also just.  Righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne (Psalm 97:2). You may want to consider that and what it means for you.

Peter goes on to say that "...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."  2 Peter 3:10  He goes on to say, in effect, that since this will come to pass we had better examine ourselves and be found to be following God's way.

Get your Bible out and read this chapter, there's more.  If you haven't got a Bible then pull one up online, it's easily accessible. Read for yourself and consider.  It's 2 minutes to midnight, and besides, we never know when our own last day will come!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, please help me to understand what you require of me.  Amen

Thanksgiving Therapy

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  Psalm 136:1

Our friends in the USA are celebrating their Thanksgiving Day as I write.  Yesterday the President pardoned a turkey!  I'm sure that turkey would be thankful if he'd known what could have been in store for him!  Many are getting together with family from far and wide, a time to be thankful for sure but no doubt not without it's challenges .....people are people!

Thanksgiving is a part of my daily life because I have so many things to be thankful for.  This week I am particularly thankful for 2 friends, (one in Australia and one in the USA), who encouraged me not to forget to write this blog.  It's mid August since I last wrote.  At that time I was preparing to go on holiday in Australia for a month.  I'm so thankful for that wonderful time we had, but it threw me out of routine and I have neglected what I consider to be my God-given gift of communicating God's truth through writing. Actually God had been nudging me to get back writing but I wasn't listening so I am thankful that he nudged my friends to put it in writing so I couldn't ignore it any longer.

You may be going through a time in your life which is so bleak that you can't think of anything to be thankful for.  I get that; I sat with a friend yesterday who is so overwhelmed with fears and the cares of life that the last thing she would probably think of or even want to do is to make room for thanksgiving.  But it's vital to our well-being.  It is something the Bible encourages us to do, even, and especially, in the midst of trials.  ...in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18  Why is it the will of God?  Because thanksgiving does us good!

I was tempted to feel hard-hearted when I encouraged her to look for things each day she could be thankful for, but I know that thankfulness takes our eyes off our circumstances and turns them to God's goodness.  Something changes in our hearts when we cultivate thankfulness.  How many suicides would be averted if the hopeless one would look up and search for one thing to thank God for.  It would open their heart to hope. It would give the God of all hope a window to to ..... fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13  The Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter, teacher.  He is there for us if we will invite him to help us to be thankful.

If you are reading this, you obviously have eyes to see, a working brain to think and God-given breath in your lungs.  There are three things to be thankful for.  If you have eyes to see you can look up at the night sky and be amazed at the wonder of the stars and with your brain you can consider how they all stay in place.  Yes, there is intelligent design - His name is God.  Paul writes about the people who refused to acknowledge God and give Him thanks ..... For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21 CSV)

Is your heart feeling dark and hopeless today, give it some thanksgiving therapy.  There is nothing better.  Remember to continue the therapy until you get a result.  Don't give up and say 'this isn't working'.  If this is already a practise in your life, then share it with someone who needs to learn it.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to remember that it is you who gives me life.  Help me to be thankful for that gift and help me to find ways to demonstrate a thankful heart to those who need encouragement and hope.  in Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Joy

                                                                                                                                                            Charlie Mackesy

A little over a month ago I wrote of the agonising wait to see whether the group of Thai footballers and their coach would be rescued successfully from what was an almost impossible situation. We now know that our prayers were answered and each one was saved and restored to joyful, thankful families.  

However the life of one diver was lost in this rescue attempt.  What an amazing gift he gave by putting himself in danger for these boys.  How thankful we are for such selfless giving. This man (and the many other rescuers), thought not of the danger to himself but of the agony of the waiting parents.  He wanted to bring those boys back to their families and be a part of their joy.  

 It reminds me of another who did the same for each one of us. In Hebrews 12:2 it says that "Jesus.... for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of God."  It didn't stop there, he now sits at God's right hand pleading the case of those who believe and trust in him. Romans 8:34.

Jesus told a story that many can relate to in one way or another.  It was about the son of a farmer who got fed up with farm life and asked for his inheritance money so that he could go off to the city for the 'good life'.  As the story goes this young man had a great time partying, living it up, sleeping with prostitutes.....until his money ran out.  He found himself a job.....looking after pigs. He was so hungry he wanted to eat their food until one day he came to his senses.  "What am I doing here?" he asked himself.  "Even the servants in my father's house live better than this.  I'll go back to my father and ask if I can just be a servant.  I'm not worthy to be his son."  

So he pulled his ragged self up and headed home in shame.  What he didn't know was that every day since he'd left home his father had watched for his return.  One day when he saw the familiar figure of his son but he was dishevelled and dirty.  The father did something very uncultural for that time.  He ran to his son and embraced him.  No recriminations, just a great big welcome.  He didn't punish him and put him in the servants' quarters, he put a ring on his hand, gave him clean clothes and threw him a party.  He was part of the family again.

Why do I tell this story?  Because maybe you need to come home to your Father.  Have you turned your back on God, gone your own way, pleased yourself.  God allows us free will, He will never force us to do things His way.  Proverbs 16:25 says that there is a way that seems right to a person but that way ends in death.  You can follow your own thoughts, ideas, philosophies but only God's way will lead to joy because it's only in God's presence that you can find fullness of joy and eternal life. Psalm 16:11.  Your Heavenly Father is waiting to welcome you home.

PRAYER: Father forgive me for going my own way and ignoring your wisdom.  I choose to turn to you and ask you to help me to walk in your ways which are good and lead to joy and life.  I ask you in the name of Jesus Christ who died in my place to forgive my sin. Amen

Waiting in Hope

Many across the world, and certainly most of Thailand, currently wait in the hope of seeing a group of young boys and their coach being rescued from the cave where they are trapped. It is quite an unbelievable situation and one has to wonder as to how it happened, but wondering will not help in this instance.  An amazing group of experts has gathered from across the world in the hope of doing what looks to be the impossible.  

My prayers join with those of their parents and others worldwide that God will guide the rescuers and give courage to the boys so that they can be restored to their waiting families.  We just received a newsflash to say that the rescue has begun, so we hope and pray that there will soon be an empty cave and a successful rescue.  Our hopes are pinned on those brave rescuers.

Thinking of this reminds me of my visit to Waitomo Caves in NZ many years ago.  Amazing, yes, and glad I did it, yes, but I don't feel the need to go into another cave ever again!!  

I am reminded of an empty cave where hope was born some two thousand years ago.  A cave where Jesus Christ had been laid to rest a couple of days before.  His followers had pinned their hopes on him and all hope seemed lost when he was carried from that cross to his grave in the cave.  But all was not lost, it was part of a process which God had purposed before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20).  

On the first day of the week some women came to that cave wondering how they would move the great stone which had sealed it so that they could anoint his body, as was their custom.  To their great surprise the cave was empty and an angel told them that Jesus had risen from the dead.  During the next 40 days Jesus appeared to them in many ways and places in his resurrected body until he was taken up into heaven.  Jesus Christ, the only leader of any faith who has been raised from the dead.  He is our hope of eternal life ...... if we believe and follow him.  

To Ponder: "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come."  Ephesians 1:19-21 NLT

A Cure!

Recently new hope again sprung up when a possible cure for bowel cancer, or at least an early detection test, was announced.  In a world with so many disabling and fatal illnesses this was indeed good news for many. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are poured into trying to find cures for diseases each year. In the meantime people who can afford to, go after any possible treatment for their illness.

If we hear of something that might help a person we know who  is suffering from a disease we usually ready to offer them the slightest possibility of hope. If we knew of a certain cure and withheld the information it would be considered unusual at best and criminal at worst.

Here I am going to get dramatic, but please read on!  If you had a deadly disease and I knew of a positively certain remedy and did not tell you, would I be a true friend?  Certainly not!  Hang onto your hat for the next news please..... it MAY be that you indeed DO have a deadly disease - it's called sin.  This affects every human being born on this earth.  We are born in sin.  Yes sin will kill you ultimately, but there is a permanent cure and it's not about being a good person or going to  church; it's about your relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ who died for your sin and mine.

 I find that people don't realise they have an eternally fatal disease.  Yes there is life after death.  We are eternal spirits clothed in an 'earth suit', our body.  We just move from one dimension to another.  In the next dimension there are 2 destinations - heaven and hell.  Sorry, but yes, there is such a place as hell.  The good news is that we get to CHOOSE our destination.  Here is the simple ABC of how to make the choice of ETERNAL LIFE which has to be made before you die.  There are no second chances.  Yes, God is merciful, but he is also just.  Sin demanded a penalty to be paid, Jesus paid the price, but we must choose to receive that gift or reject it.

Admit that you have sinned -
Believe that Jesus Christ paid for your sin
Confess that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead
"For it is by believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."  Romans 10:10

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no-one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6

The Apostle Paul said: "There is salvation in no one else (but Jesus Christ)."  Acts 4:12

If you have read these words today you can never stand before God (which you will in the future) and say "ˆNo one told me what I needed to do to get into heaven" - you have heard it today.  I hope you will pray this prayer.  If you do, please email me with your declaration of faith so I can rejoice with you.  If you are already a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you may want to share this message with those you love and care about.  Feel free.

Heavenly Father,  I admit that I have sinned and come short of your standard, I believe that Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for my sin.  Please forgive me and come into my heart.  I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that one day I can be with Him forever.  Amen

Wedding Fever!

                                                                                         AP                                                                        

                                                                                                                  
The last few days leading up to the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle have certainly caused a stir.  Some of us even lost sleep so we could watch the celebration and I, for one, was not disappointed.  It was great to see the excitement in Windsor with thousands of people lining the streets to be part of the celebrations, and to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.  Some had even been camped out in the area for days to get the best viewing place.  Now that's commitment!

A couple of thousand years ago there was a notable wedding in Cana of Galilee.  We don't even know the names of the bride and groom but we do know that Jesus and his disciples were there.  In those days, the wedding banquets went on for days, and at this particular one an embarrassing thing happened.  They ran out of wine!  The first miracle that Jesus ever did was to turn large jars of water into really good wine.  He literally 'saved the day'.

All this wedding fever reminded me of another wedding - one that I am counting on being there for.  It's one that is probably known little of outside of the church and I could probably safely say that it is rarely if ever talked about in many churches. But first let me set the scene.

 In old Israeli wedding  tradition the couple would be betrothed to each other then the bridegroom would go away and prepare a place which was an addition to his father's house for he and his wife.  When it was ready and the time was right he would go for his bride.  He would not let her know when he was coming but there would be just a short warning, one of his attendants would sound a trumpet as the bridegroom drew near.  The bride would have to be ready to be snatched away by the groom.  It was almost like a game.  Leading up to when she thought he might appear she had to always be watching and waiting with her bridal gown handy so she could quickly be ready when the trumpet sounded.  Then off they would go for a 7 day wedding banquet and consummation of the marriage.  Rather different from our weddings in the west!

However, there is coming a royal wedding to end all weddings.  The wedding of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords with his bride.  Jesus Christ referred to the church as his bride, and the Bible speaks of Jesus as 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world'. (John 1:36). Before his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into heaven he said to his followers. 'In my Father's house are many rooms.......I am going away to prepare a place for you. When everything is ready I will come and get you so you will always be with me.."  John 14:2-3.  I believe that many things in Bible prophecy are quickly lining up.  I believe that Jesus is coming very soon for His bride - the church, the world-wide body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We had best be ready!

The Bible tells us of a time of great tribulation in the world such as has never been seen before.  I believe we are close to that time.  Then in Revelation 19:6-9 (NLT) it says this,

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd

 or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the LORD!

For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Let us be glad and rejoice,

and let us give honor to him.

For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,

and his bride has prepared herself.

She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”

For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: 

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” (Emphases are mine)

Does this raise questions for you?  I hope it does.  I hope you will enquire about what it means to be invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb and how to make yourself ready, so you too will say "Come Lord Jesus".

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, give me wisdom and discernment, understanding and faith to be prepared for your coming.  Amen

Preparedness

A few years ago the word 'eternity' appeared on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to honour a man who had gone around Sydney for years with a piece of chalk (I think), writing the word eternity on the pavement.  He did this to get people to consider what eternity would mean for them.

This past week I attended a seminar in the village here which addressed the subject of getting your affairs in order for when you leave this earth.  Lots of good practical suggestions that help others to manage our affairs after we are gone.  The presenter mentioned a number of ways we speak about someone dying without saying as much.....just like I have done twice already in this paragraph.  The thrust of her message was about being prepared to die. 

Being prepared for anything takes time and thought and energy.  Tomorrow evening friends are coming for dinner; I have thought about what we would have, purchased the meat and planned the menu. I won't leave it till 4 pm tomorrow to think about throwing something together because I value them and want them to enjoy their time with us.  I also want to be able to enjoy the time we have with them.

There is another important aspect  to preparing for our death and few want to discuss it.  It all depends whether you want to take a chance that there is nothing 'on the other side', or if there really is something more that we need to consider.  Jesus told a story about a rich man who had a great harvest for which he needed to build new barns to hold it all.  Then the man decided he could sit back and enjoy life, but that very night he died.  Jesus called the man a fool because he had only been concerned with life of earth and had not given thought to life after death.

This life is short but eternity is forever and ever.  Eternity is where God lives and each of us will have to give account to God for how we have lived our lives.  Whether we have lived for ourselves and our own gain or, in such a way as to include God and honour his plans for our life.  There is no better day than TODAY to take time to speak to God about what comes next.  Not one of us are guaranteed a tomorrow in this life.  Are you prepared for eternity?

Just as it is appointed once for each person to die, and after death the judgement. Hebrews 9:27

PRAYER:  Dear God, help me to understand what you require of me.  Show me how to live well and be prepared when the time comes for my death.  Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live a life that pleases you and prepares me for eternal life.  Amen