August 2008
On my recent visit to England to see my mother as we celebrated her 90th birthday, it was brought home to me once more how difficult it is to talk to family and relatives about faith in Jesus. They expected me to behave in the same way I had when I was a child and this brought pressure on me almost forcing me to behave the way they expected me to.
God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are well aware of the pressures that unbelieving family and friends can put on believers. Our family and friends watch us to see if we behave and speak in the way they think a Christian should and if they think we are not speaking and behaving the way we should, they are often the first to criticize. God and Jesus are also watching but they watch and listen to see if we are allowing ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit in all we say and do.
The struggle to do this is great, the temptation to assert our own personality is strong, but allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in all we say and do brings a wonderful reward when we come face to face with our Lord and Saviour – Jesus Christ – in heaven.
Amen
September 2008
No doubt many people are making their preparations for the coming of winter. These will be mostly physical or material in nature. However, we also need to make spiritual preparations as well.
Firstly we need to be more sensitive to the needs of the elderly and infirm for whom winter can be a most difficult time. Jesus told us to take good care of those less fortunate than ourselves.
The other spiritual preparation we need to be making, continually, is getting ready for the second coming of Jesus. We need to make an inventory of our internal readiness for this event. Have we made every effort to seek God and His righteousness first, (Luke 21:21) not just once when we come to faith in Jesus but every day, so that our lives may become conformed to His.
Be blessed
Bruce
October 2008
Matt. 25:40 & 45
Verse 40 “the king will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.’” In verse 45 we read that ‘whatever WE have NOT done for the least of one of these, you did not do for me.’ (My capitalisation)
In my travels around Finland I have met so many people who not only feel isolated but are isolated and alone with no one they feel they can turn to in a time of need.
This is partly, but only partly, due to the western societies’ emphasis on individualism. This is very strong here in Finland. One has to be able to be totally self sufficient in everything. But this is not the message that the Bible gives. Here the message is that believers belong to a community, which is also a family. In the book of Acts 2:44 we read the early church members held all things in common. This is normally interpreted as referring to material things only. But the verse says “All things” and sharing as each had need. I believe that this means spiritual, emotional as well as material needs. In other words they shared both the good and the bad. When Peter was in prison the others prayed and fasted for his release.
We need to relearn this and learn to take care of people’s emotional needs as well as material needs as a community. As we get closer to the time of the great tribulation all kinds of troubles will afflict Christians and we need to be able to support one another in all sorts of ways and not turn a blind eye to emotional or social needs Not wanting to see or hear leads to being unable to help others whatever their needs might be. It is vital to the survival of our souls that we are both willing and able and ready to help whoever and whenever necessary.
Be blessed
Bruce
December 2008
Yesterday people celebrated the first Sunday of advent. The meaning of advent is coming into the world, and that coming is a concrete one not an ethereal one.
The birth of Jesus was a substantial event. He left His Father and emptied Himself of all power to become a little baby. In this little baby was the future hope of the world and its people.
Through His life, teachings and example; above all through His death and resurrection we have hope of forgiveness of sins and salvation. All we need do is to believe in Jesus as the Son of God: the Messiah promised by the Old Testament prophets.
Through Him we are saved.
Thank you Lord Jesus. May we glorify you in our lives as you glorified the Father.
Amen
Be blessed
Bruce