I delight in your Word
NEVERTHELESS . . . .
The reading was that well known passage in Isaiah 9:1-7, foretelling the end of darkness, the breaking of the yoke, the coming of the Messiah and the increase of His government and peace. But my ear was caught by the first word – nevertheless.
It seemed to me that it was a good way of describing the character and attributes of our God. He is a faithFUL God and a merciFUL judge and how ever many people call upon Him for help and healing, His compassion is never the less. From creation up to today, miracles are taking place, but His power is never the less. We are told that the new birth rate has overtaken the natural birth rate, and still the saving power of the blood of Jesus is never the less.
The Hebrew word “Shalom” is loosely, and briefly, translated as “peace” but it means so much more than that. It means wholeness, completeness and total well-being. It means being at peace with God, at peace with others and at peace with ourselves.
Fix your mind and heart on the Lord, His Word and His purposes, and you will find that whatever happens tomorrow, your peace and tranquillity, like His, will be never the less.
EM © 01022010
MY WORD ALWAYS PRODUCES FRUIT
The Word of God is not merely 26 letters arranged in a variety of ways on the pages of a book – it is alive and always produces a result – because it is the Word of God. In biology, the study of living things, one of the tests of whether something is alive or not, is, does it reproduce? If it does, then whatever it looks like, it’s alive.
The Word says this of itself – the word of God is alive and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. Hebrews 4:12
This is how necessary the word of God is – man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
Read about the life of Jesus in the Gospels and taste for yourself some of the fruit which is produced by the Word of God and which can be reproduced in your life – faith, hope, security, comfort, joy, strength, answers …..
E Mellor © April 2010
AT THE KING’S TABLE
“So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.” 2 Samuel 9:11 (NIV)
Last week, a few friends threw me a surprise birthday party. I was in awe at how much effort they had gone to orchestrate it, and even more when I found out they had planned it for weeks. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone think about me?”
A couple of Sundays before the surprise party our Church Leader Dave Emmett of King’s Church Manchester preached about eating at God’s table and knowing our true identity as sons and daughters of the king. He told the story of King David in 2 Samuel 9, who invited crippled Mephibosheth to eat regularly at his table as though he was the King’s own son.
From then on, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I was worth more than I thought. I repented of my small thinking and low opinions of myself, as though I was of so little value to my friends that they should plan anything for my birthday.
For a long time, false humility robbed me of my true identity. But Dave’s message and the surprise birthday really changed me. That night, I felt honoured and recognised. I was certainly worth all their time and effort in planning the birthday-do.
This is the same honour God has given to us. We are to know our self-worth and our God-given rights as the King’s sons and daughters, the right to sit next to him and dine with him. We as individuals are highly favoured and loved by the King himself. We can now live a life of freedom and integrity because Jesus took our shame and in exchange gave us his honour.
Wan-Phing © March 2010
THE ENTRANCE OF YOUR WORD BRINGS LIGHT
A friend related to me told me how she had shared the Gospel with a group of people who had stopped to see what was happening at an “Open Air Service” near the Corn Exchange in Leeds.
When she had finished giving her testimony about how Jesus had forgiven her sin and changed her life, a young man shouted at her, “You’ve got a slate loose!” “That’s where the light got in!” was her swift reply.
We all know that you can’t work in the dark – light is essential. It’s the same in the Christian life – you can’t work without light, you can’t walk without direction. We need to know what God wants of us – we need revelation.
If you are aiming at nothing – you will hit it! To get some light and direction in your life – to get revelation – read through the Book of Proverbs. It knows the problem: “Without a vision the people perish” and gives the answer, “ but he that keeps the law is happy. Proverbs 29:18
E Mellor © March 2010
“YOU HAVE NOT PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE”
The children of Israel had been delivered from slavery in Egypt in a miraculous way – by the strong arm of God. But through fear and disobedience they had missed their chance of entering the “Promise Land”. Their punishment was to wander around the desert until all those who had disobeyed God had died. So, for 40 years they had been led by Moses as they walked round and round the wilderness. Even in their disobedience God did not abandon them. Throughout their wanderings, they were led by a pillar of cloud by day, and at night a pillar of fire gave them protection. They were never without these proofs of God’s presence with them. [If you like detail, you can read the full story in the Book of Exodus].
But now it was all going to change. By the time the 40 years were up, Moses was dead, the fire and the cloud were no longer moving in front of them and the route was leading straight ahead.
Most of us prefer the familiar, and when the need for change arises, we can view it as either a threat or an opportunity. God gave Joshua, Moses’ successor, five unchanging principles to guide him along the unfamiliar paths ahead. Those principles are still valid today:
- Be strong and very courageous to keep my Word
- Observe all my commandments
- Don’t turn away from them, to the right or the left
- Meditate in my book day and night
- Remember – The LORD is with you wherever you go
E Mellor © March 2010
AUTHORITY AND POWER
On Friday there was a traffic jam at a busy roundabout. Road works had added to the usual rush hour queues and the result was chaos.
On Monday the traffic flowed smoothly. Why? The road works were still there, the amount of rush hour traffic was the same, but now, a slim, young policewoman was directing matters. With one hand she held up a line of buses, lorries and cars, and with the other she waved traffic through.
What authority! What power! Any of those vehicles could have flattened her! She was just a girl in her 20s, but clothed in a dark blue uniform she became an expression of the long, strong arm of the Law.
When we are clothed in the garments of salvation – when we have “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27) we can stand as an expression of the authority and power of Jesus. When we submit our lives to Him and allow Him to rule over every area of our lives, we can use His authority and power.
Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). To all who received Him, He gave the authority to become children of God (John 1:12). “I have given you authority to overcome ALL the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:18-20).
Whenever Satan bears down upon you with his thoughts, temptations and fears, lift up the hand of faith and command him to “Stop, in the Name of the Lord!” We have the authority and power to do that.
I love the certainty of the Bible. James 4:7 says, “Submit (surrender, stop opposing yourself) to God. Resist (strive against, refuse to comply with) the devil and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU!”
E Mellor © 2010
THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US – AND MADE US GLAD!
When I became a Christian, nearly 40 years ago now, I wrote lots of encouraging Scriptures on pieces of card and stuck them all around the house – on cupboard doors, inside the bathroom cabinet, on the mug rack, tucked into a photo frame, on the fridge etc.
This verse from Psalm 126:3 was drawn in bright colours on a large piece of paper and stuck up in the hall, where it could be seen every morning when I came downstairs. It could also be seen when the front door was opened. It was eye-catching and a very good starting point for a conversation about conversion!
In another 40 years, I know I shall be able to look back and say something similar – the Lord has done more good things for us and made us even gladder!
In the beginning God created the world Genesis 1:1
- And God made man in his own image, male and female, and blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Gen 2:27
- Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world Romans 5:12
- God saw that the wickedness of man was very great, and every thought in his heart was evil. Genesis 6:5
- God so loved the world that he gave his only Son and whoever believes on him shall have eternal life. John 3:16
- God showed his love towards us because while we were still sinners Christ died for us Romans 5:8
- For he made Jesus who was sinless, take on himself all our sin, so that we might take on ourselves, all Jesus’ righteousness. 2 Cor 5:21
- Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins Heb 9:22. When they came to the place called Calvary, they crucified him. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:33-34
- There will be no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not follow the flesh, but follow the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
- HALLELUJAH!
E Mellor ©2010
I’VE NOT BEEN THIS FAR BEFORE
About five years ago I managed to get about half way. But this time I am determined to keep going until I reach the top. That was my thought as I gazed up at Ben Lawers towering 3,984 feet above me in Scotland.
I have had a fascination for mountains for many years. Looking up from the bottom I am reminded of the wonders of God’s creation; looking down from the top – what a view! Climbing mountains and the Christian life have several things in common. To reach the goal requires determination, hard work and perseverance.
The Pathway
So many people climb Ben Lawers that a narrow path up to the summit has been constructed. It gets quite steep at times, but it is simple to follow and avoids boggy places and dangerous precipices. The book of Proverbs is full of instruction on how to stay on God’s path. Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “I do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” Col 1:9-10
The Encouragers
We all need these when we are travelling a long road. My husband was my best encourager, giving me a hand up the steep parts and carrying my rucksack for part of the way. Those who were walking back down encouraged us to ‘Keep going, you’re not so far from the top’. David was in danger so Jonathan went to him in the woods and strengthened his hand in God and said to him, “Do not be afraid.” 1 Sam 23:16-17
The “Markers”
After a couple of hours of climbing we stopped for a rest, a drink and to enjoy the scenery. Soon, two other walkers came into view and cried, “Hey, we were using you two as our “markers!” They explained that by keeping us in their sights they could see where the path was going and maintain a reasonable speed. I felt quite guilty about stopping, so while they had their rest we set off again at a good pace!
I thank God for the couple who caused me to become a Christian. They got up early in the morning to pray and spent time reading and studying the Bible, so I did, too. Many years on I still have ‘markers’ in my sights, (they are unaware of this!) whom I respect and learn from. Being a ‘marker’ is a great responsibility – you don’t know who may be using you as their marker!
Be followers of me, even as I also am following Christ. 1 Cor 11:1 Mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who are following you, if they are weak or lame, will not fall and hurt themselves but become strong. Heb 12:13
The View from the Top
There is a great sense of satisfaction to be gained from reaching your goal. As we perched on the rocky summit eating our lunch, we could see things from a different perspective. Now we could understand why the path was so steep at particular points. Now we could see why the path had to take a longer route over certain parts and now we could see a different way down that would avoid some of the harder sections.
But God, who is rich in mercy, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4-7
EM © 01022010
I SERVE
ICH DIEN : I SERVE
That is the motto of the Prince of Wales. I have just finished reading the biography of his great-great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. She had a huge number of servants – even on holiday, at least 60, and sometimes even as many as 100 servants would accompany her. No wonder that the noble and wealthy who owned large houses and estates trembled lest she honoured them with a visit.
Evening dinner at the Palace was a very grand affair. The food was always excellent, but unfortunately, the Queen ate very fast (gobbled!). Woe to the guest who was a slow eater. As soon as the Queen had finished her soup, fish etc, everyone’s plate was swept away. One brave and hungry Lord had his plate whipped away as he spoke to the Queen (Victoria had been busy eating and listening while he was talking) “Bring it back!!” he yelled. Fortunately the Queen was amused.
Now let’s look at our King – Jesus. When his disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest, Jesus reminded them, Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
The Apostle Paul tells us more of the truth behind Jesus’ gentle reproof: Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8
Jesus gave a practical demonstration of serving to his disciples. He washed their feet, the job of the lowest kind of servant! John 13:4 . Even more than this, Jesus gives us a promise in Luke 12:37 -
There will be great joy for those who are ready and waiting for his return. He himself will seat them and put on a waiter’s uniform and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come at nine o’clock at night–or even at midnight. But whenever he comes, there will be joy for his servants who are ready!
EM © 01022010
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