John Wycliffe

Morning Star of the Reformation ~ 1324-1384 AD

     Nearly two hundred years before the reformation a man name John Wycliffe was rector of a parish in Lutterworth. He had previously been both a student and a master at Oxford University. Many of Wycliffe’s ideas were like those of Luther, Calvin and other reformers. John Wycliffe devoted himself to the study of the scripture. He considered the Bible as the ultimate authority putting the Church and Pope only of secondary authority.

     Called ‘the Master of Errors,’ John Wycliffe was accused by the Pope of heresy. There were multiple reasons for this charge; John believed the Church should not sell indulgences (get rich through taxes and money paid by the people for 'forgiveness of sin') but rather should follow Christ’s example of poverty and generosity instead of storing up treasure on earth. Wycliffe rejected the Catholic belief of Transubstantiation (the bread and wine becoming the actual body and blood of Christ). He believed in predestination (that before the creation of the world God chose some to have everlasting life, these receive salvation through Christ) and salvation by faith alone (not by works but by believing in Christ Jesus our Lord).

     Wycliffe believed that people should be able read the bible in their native language. At this time the bible was read in Latin (which most people couldn't understand) and even these were not available to the common people. After the Pope confined him to his parish because of his so called heretical teaching, he set his time to translating the bible into English. Just one copy of the bible took ten months to copy out by hand. He made his translation from the Latin text.

     Wycliffe never finished his translation. His friend finished it for him and those who followed in Wycliffe's steps received extreme persecution.The Pope condemned and excommunicated John Wycliffe forty three years after he died; his remains were dug up and burned then the ashes thrown into the river Swift. Just as the river took his remains out to sea so his ideas spread throughout the world. In the 20th century a new mission called themselves 'Wycliffe Bible Translates' and following his example are seeking to translate the scripture into every language so that every person can read the bible in their own tongue. It is estimated that there are more than 2000 languages that have some of the scripture translated into them but there may be still more than 1000 languages with no part of the bible yet translated.

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”

(Revelation 5:9-10)

http://www.britannia.com/bios/jwycliffe.html
http://christianity.about.com/od/Christians-In-History/a/John-Wycliffe.htm
http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/john-wycliffe.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/moversandshakers/wycliffe.html
http://wycliffe.org.au/

Persecuted: Church

Jesus said "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Jesus even said we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness' sake because it shows that we belong to his kingdom

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

We need to be careful and make sure our life does not look the same as anything else that is of the world. If we are not being persecuted in any way or even being different or just having people think we are strange then we have a problem because it says in scripture that ALL who want to live a godly life in Jesus WILL be persecuted. If this is not happening then we have to ask the question of whether we are actually seeking to live a godly life. One thing we have to be careful about is that we don't water down our message to stop it being offensive or to stop people persecuting us or to make it more attractive to the world. 

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. (Galatians 5:11)

Obviously we don't go around trying to offend people but we must not compromise the gospel to try and make it easier for ourselves. The message of Christ is folly to those who are walking in the flesh - we preach Christ crucified - but it is the power of God to those who are being saved. 

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:18-20)

The message of the gospel is most powerful when it is uncompromised because God uses this message to save those he calls but those who he does not call will think it folly anyway. We can press on in the knowledge that Jesus knows our suffering. We are not alone in our suffering - there is nothing we experience that has not been experienced by our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18)

How should we respond to persecution and suffering then? I think we should follow Jesus' example - blessing those who curse us and praying for those who persecute us. It may not be easy but it is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

    Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:18-24)

We do not need to revenge ourselves or others we know because we have been forgiven by the one who judges justly and have assurance of salvation at the day of Jesus Christ. We know that he will judge and he will make the right judgement so we can leave it to him and love those who hate us, praying that they too may receive this eternal treasure. 

 When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

Know that Jesus is still in control and he will never let you go. When we display Christ death in our body he will manifest his life in us. We will not be overcome by those who persecute us - we do not need to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Stand firm - Display Christ - Press On - Don't Compromise 

Persecuted Nation: North Korea

Ever since the Communist revolution of 1949 the government of North Korea has been keeping Songbun files of every person in the country. These files include anything significant – good or bad – for the last three generations of each person including any possible allegiances. This information determines the status of each person; what and where they can eat, where they can live and what jobs they can have. 

There are three different categories of files: Core, Basic and Complex. The Core are the military and the elite of society, they are the people who make the laws and other important decisions. The Complex are those who the government decides they don’t like and ‘consider a threat to society. All other people are classed in the Basic section. 
If you are a confessing Christian you are automatically a Complex being a threat to the stability of the nation. North Korea is the country in which persecution is worst for Christians. It is estimated that 30,000 believers are suffering in the prison camps of North Korea, some of them just because they were found to have a bible. Quoting scripture and meeting together as Christians are both punishable by death

Others, even those who aren’t Christian, can be sent to prison camps for using a sheet of newspaper to mop up a spilt drink - the sheet happened to have a picture of the leader of North Korea on it – also for many other ‘abuses of the government’ or just because the leader feels you a threat or someone else in the family is not considered loyal. North Korea claims to have ‘freedom of religion.’
 

1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

For more on North Korea see: Voice of the Martyrs ~ Open Doors 

Remember - Jesus is worth dying for!

Not Unto Us

Here are some verses from the Psalms that I have been reading lately:

Liebster Award

Thank you Jane and Emily for nominating me for this award!

Here are the rules:
1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Thank the blogger who presented this award and link back to their blog. (preferably their Liebster post)
3. Write 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 200 followers. (and if you don't know of that many bloggers nominate less - in this case none who want to be nominated - If you do please specify via comments)
5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter (or in this case 22) and ask your nominees 11 questions. 

First I have the 11 Random Facts About Myself
   1. I have brown eyes
   2. I am nearly 15
   5. I have 3 lovely sisters and 2 brothers
   4. I have two arms which are attached to my shoulders
   3. Read this after #8 (the first one) then go to #6
   6. Got all the colours now 
   5. I know who the mysterious 'C guy' is...
   6. I have memorised Romans 8 and John 10
   8. I fixed this (read after #12)
   7. I do not think I have ever been into a 'high-school' before... if      I have I don't remember it
   8. I only went to 'school' until part way through year 2
   9. Maybe I should also say that I homeschool... which could      explain the last facts
   10. Today I read Psalm 106
   12. Actually you probably wanted the other #12
   11. I have brown hair
   13. I can't count... actually I can when I want to
   12. There was actually meant to be another 3 colours back there
   14. I like comments on my blog
   16. You are reading this now...
   17. I needed to do this many to get the colours right


OK, here are the questions Jane set me:

1. Did you know that you are the equivalent of 11 people? (well you must be because I only nominated you.) So it seems...

2. How many views have you had on your 'oh-so-awful-first-blog-post'? (On your old blog) Only 28 (22 of those were in the first month though). It is not even my most viewed post... I have another post with 53 views on it I am deeply, deeply hurt
3. Do you like having everything neat, or are you messy? Both... I do like things to be neat to a certain extent but they are often messy (one reason might be because I don't have any room to put things... which is not because I have too much stuff, just because for some reason I don't have any drawers etc. to put things in... I think Clare and Jane have all of them...)

4. What would you say if I asked you this question? *raises both eyebrows*

5.Did you notice my sneaky spelling in the 15 facts I wrote about myself? Well.... for a start with your 'll' I might not have noticed that the 11's were ll's but I did notice that the spacing/indent was different...

6. Have you ever looked up lots of random blog addresses? Actually I did the other day... I looked up 'the yellow brick road' (I don't recommend that anyone should follow 'the yellow brick road' because it has not had any posts since 2003... mind you 'follow the yellow brick road' is not much better being updated in 2006)

7. Power-poles or fish and chips? <thinking> Fish and chips... they are ok but the chips are not generally the best swimmers... Power poles probably could float in some stage in their lives but once they have been placed in the ground I think they do their job best when they stay there and don't go floating or swimming around the place... Power poles work best in the job of holding up power lines... However it seems that they are not good to eat... Fish and chips are often on the floppy side and also would not hold power lines very high above the ground... They might be more edible but I don't actually like fish (particularly in light of the next question)</thinking> Neither will swim (the fish I have decided are dead in this example and the chips and power poles were not swimming anywhere to start with!)

8. Which would you rather have smeared all over your face, peanut-butter or fish guts? (Neither isn't allowed.) Actually I am not really into having either of them smeared on me... I don't even want to eat them...

9. Can you read backwards and upside-down? Yes - you have both words written there and I can read them perfectly... Oh! you meant 'can I read words when they are written with the letters the wrong way up etc.' (not taking that one the same way as the last version)... In that case I can read like that but I really find it much easier to read words when they are written the right way up and left to right... Enoemos saw trams hgoune ot evah meht tnetsisnoc snoitcerid os ohw era ew ot egnahc .taht

10. Do you enjoy memorizing scripture? Yes, as I said before I have memorised about 3 whole chapters as well as many other verses and probably about 20 Greek verses

11. Why have I just asked you all these questions that I (mostly) know the answers of? Because you wanted to make my life difficult...

And here are the questions that Emily wrote for me:

If your home were invaded by rodents, would you prefer mice or rats to deal with? Either would be better that ROUS's (for those who do not understand this I will translate to 'Rodents of Unusual Size')

Here is the word "Mozambique".  What springs to mind? Other than the country maybe: eek...

What is your favourite adage?  I don't think I really have a favourite.

What are newspapers handy for? Putting in the garden to stop the onion weed growing (stop = delay for a very short period)... Otherwise they could be used for splints, lighting the fire (not the local paper though - it does not burn)...

What would you do with an abactor? I really have not the slightest idea what I would do

What was your favourite children's show when you were little? I don't remember... probably something really annoying though. 
You can look at all the shows now and see that they are really bad, in Play School they will repeat each episode about 5 times (when playing ten pin bowling they can't even knock down more that 2 pins without swiping them with their arms) and the Wiggles don't even have the right people now days... they get it all wrong (and let us not even mention all the songs that get stuck in one's head)...
PraiseBaby is good though, it has nice Christian music with pictures of babies, fish and that kind of thing (Samuel really liked it when he was smaller. He could tell you just before the 'fishy')

Do you like apples or pears better? I don't eat either very often but supposing they were nicely ripe (but not overripe) I would say pears.

Why am I struggling to think of half-decent questions? I think the problem is that you are meant to be writing questions... if you weren't trying to do it 

I can bring tears to your eyes, resurrect the dead, make you smile, and reverse time, I form in an instant, but I last a life time. What am I? Memories...

Do you like riddles? It really depends how hard/logical they are... most of the time, yes.

Do you prefer a more modern or rustic, vintage look? Not modern really so maybe vintage... rustic is nice too though...

Pure and Blameless for the Day of Christ

In Matthew 5:8 Jesus says: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." How can we shine pure and bright in a dark, dirty world?

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word... I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9, 11)

I think this one of the most important steps to remaining pure, for 'the words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.' (Psalm 12:6) We need to read is Word and Talk to him regularly so we know what he likes, who he is, so we know the sound of his voice so that we are not led astray by others. His Word is precious we should store it up in our heart so we are ready when temptations come our way... for they will come. Jesus says in John 16:33 " I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Another thing we must do is guard our thoughts. It is so easy to think wrong thoughts, envy others in our hearts, honour God outwardly but not give him all of our heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Follow the example or godly people around you and rejoice always... Trust God and he will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Get rid of every rebellious, idolatrous, jealous, unkind thought; Think on all that God has done for you and continues to do and keep yourself pure and blameless for the day of Jesus Christ.

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
but gracious words are pure. (Proverbs 15:26)

As this verse shows we need to guard our mouths. For out of the heart the mouth speaks. Ask God as the psalmist did to set a guard over your mouth and keep watch over the door of your lips. Make sure that you wash the inside as regularly as you clean the outside of your body.

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:2-4)

We have been betrothed to one husband; our Lord Jesus Christ. We must not let ourselves be led astray to go after others. We must keep our devotion to Jesus sincere and pure.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:22-23)

Don't go the way the World calls you saying; you must come if you are going to get a life. Get rid of those tempting thoughts - Nothing the World offers is worth it - God's way is a way of Eternal Worth.

Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
(Revelation 19:7-8)

Keep yourself pure in every way - Don't allow yourself to be lead astray!

'Sunshine Award'

Thank you to my beautiful big sister Clare for nominating me for the Sunshine Award... again...

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their Sunshine award post

2. Answer the questions they asked you

3. Nominate other blogger/bloggers

4. Give them a list of questions

5. Let them know that they have been nominated

6. Make a Sunshine Award button and put it on your post (If you do not wish to make one then use mine or at least go back to a blog that has one that is a good resolution)

And here are Clare's questions for me to answer:

1. How long is a list? [emphasis added]

2. Do you brush your teeth every night? No... I don't... there is the occasion when I forget or when some one is using the bathroom when I want to go to bed...

3. What sound do you really like? Singing... nice songs that is... and not the same song for a whole day...

4. If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? OK, with this question I will start with defining 'witness' as someone who testifies to an event. In this case I would wish to be a faithful witness to the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

5. What’s one of the strangest things you've ever done? I don't do strange things, I know my limitations.

6. What do you like least about yourself? That I am a sinner and have rebelled against my Creator.

7. Oranges or mulberry pie? To eat? I would choose Mulberry Pie...Is there anything impolite about mulberry pie?

8. What would you name the autobiography of your life? I am afraid it would not have a name because I would not have the patience, dedication, persistence and writing skill required to write it (the autobiography that is, not the title) let alone come up with ideas to write about...

10.Have you ever had to fight for your life? Literally? No... In a dream? No... If you want to know I only recall ever having two bad dreams in my life...

11.Drawbridge or moat? Let us guess that the drawbridge/moat is on or around a castle. Now we have that founded we can continue... If I was to enter a castle I would much prefer to to use a drawbridge than a moat... If there was a moat around a castle and no drawbridge it would make it very hard to get in so in this case I would be required to answer both... Also another difficulty is if you were meaning to swim in I think you will find that a moat makes this easier than a drawbridge (drawbridges are not normally used for swimming in)... However you may find that the drawbridge is safer because it is also unlikely that you will find many crocodiles which may (for some reason) be found in the moat...

12.Would you rather be able to fly or read peoples minds? I am not really interested in flying but I do think there would be some problems with being able to read peoples minds (if you really think about what goes through people's heads...) So I would not really like either one...

13.What are cats for? (In your opinion) I don't think they are worth having an opinion about...

Now... here are some questions for anyone who feels so inclined to answer... Post a comment and answer one or two or all of them if you like...

~ If you could revive/resurrect/bring-back-to-life one fictional character who would it be? Why?
~ Boots or Sandals?
~ Shine or Flower?
~ Chocolate or Ice cream?
~ J R R Tolkien or C S Lewis? (there is only one right short answer)

~ What is one feature of the design of blog that you especially like?
~ Comments or Email?
~ Do you understand my answer to question #1?
~ Purple or Green? (Purple Monkey and Green Gecko)
~ Cats or Dogs? (I might like to point out that the correct 'short answer' is neither) 

The Sunflower Award

Thank you Jane for nominating me for the Sunflower Award... Here are the answers to your questions: 

Which do you use more often the computer or books? a. To light the fire I find that paper from maths books works better than parts of computers (we have Clare's MUS Geometry in the fire this year), so if that is what you meant then the answer is books... another thing to add to this answer would be something about smoking hard drives... once when my Dad was trying to wipe some old hard drives some of them worked I think one just had an error but one of them started smoking... we came to the conclusion that it did not matter that the wipe failed because no one could get any information off there anyway... not any more at least... b. If you were talking about looking up definitions of words then I think I can safely answer computers... c. On the other hand if you meant to read my bible I read the real thing (so, book) but to get verses to put on a website or blog I just copy them from ESV Bible (which is another answer for computer) d. When I am reading a story I prefer to read it in a book rather than using the computer.

What is the most common spelling mistake you make? a. On the computer probably something like 'teh' b. Otherwise maybe something like where and were..

What is your favourite pastime? I am not exactly sure but it does not involve answering questions about it...

Why should you wear arm guards when you are doing archery? Because other wise you will (supposing you can shoot the bow correctly) get a massive bruise in about the middle of your left arm from the bowstring slapping against it when you release it. Depending on how good you are at hitting yourself and how many times you do it the bruise then will be pink/grey coloured with a red outline. It most likely has an oval shape to it. The next day it is unlikely that the outline will still remain around the bruise. Over the next few days the colour of the bruise may change from pink/read to purple to green (according to some it may also be fluro aqua at times)... What I want to know is why you, Jane, are asking when you already know...

What is the biggest bruise you've ever got? I don't remember... there was that time when I scootered down the ramp and when I got to the pavers the scooter kept going at a faster rate than I did and I ended up on the pavers with a seriously grazed knee even through my jeans... it took weeks to get better and I still have a scar there. It was not really a bruise but a more interesting answer than just saying I don't remember...

Which is better, WordPress or Blogger? ...I think in this question you were meaning WordPress.com but that is not what you said so my answer is WordPress is better...WordPress and WordPress.com are two different things which people confuse because the names are rather similar, WordPress.com is based on WordPress but is limited and plugins are not allowed. There is also a limited amount of customisation on WordPress.com. you may then ask why I am on Blogger - I still will give that answer because you made the question easy and said WordPress not WordPress.com, if you had said WordPress.com that may have made the choice a little harder. But WordPress is in general better, you can do more things and can use plugins... anyway Blogger tries to deceive its uses by saying widgets are 'gadgets' whereas in the HTML they are really widgets, WordPress on the other hand just tells you what is actually there... 

Do you ever wish you could keep breathing in without having to breathe out again? Not really... I don't believe it would be worth the consequences...

How many times a day do you quote books or movies? Depends how much I talk to Jane...

What is a verb? Actually Jane, last time I checked 'what' was not a verb. Another thing to add about this is when you state that 'what' is a verb you should have a full stop not a question mark?

Why do these award things have to have something to do with the sun? I do not actually know, maybe it has something to do with being warm, bright and happy.

Psalm 2 ~ Ask for the Nations

The world is against those who follow the way of the Lord. It is written 'All who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.' Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” God wants his glory to be made known throughout all the earth. We should shine like lights in the universe which proclaim his greatness day by day. When the world reviles we should act how Jesus did and not return their behaviour but continued entrusting himself to the One who Judges Justly. Luke 6:22-23 says “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." We are called to love those who hate us and pray for those who persecute us. Christ calls us to go to all nations and proclaim his name. He has also promised when we ask according to his will we will receive. Our great God has promised that when we ask for the nations we will receive. It is God's will that his name may be known throughout all the earth and he has uses us, as his people, to accomplish that task. 

Psalm 2 

                Why do the nations rage

                                and the peoples plot in vain?

                The kings of the earth set themselves,

                                and the rulers take counsel together,

                                against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

                “Let us burst their bonds apart

                                and cast away their cords from us.”

               

                He who sits in the heavens laughs;

                                the Lord holds them in derision.

                Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

                                and terrify them in his fury, saying,

                “As for me, I have set my King

                                on Zion, my holy hill.”

               

                I will tell of the decree:

                The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

                                today I have begotten you.

                Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

                                and the ends of the earth your possession…

               

                Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

                                be warned, O rulers of the earth.

                Serve the LORD with fear,

                                and rejoice with trembling...

                Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

The song You Said comes from Psalm 2

Examining the Scriptures

Now [the Jews of Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed... (Acts 17:11-12)

We should follow the example of the Bereans who heard the Word Paul was teaching them and examined the scriptures daily. We should test what we hear and are taught against the scriptures. We should dig into them daily and store them in our hearts that we may not be led astray from the right path.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11)

When we are storing up his word in our heart we will be ready when temptation comes our way...

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:12-17)

The bible is the Word of God it is inerrant and sufficient. Everything we hear and read should be tested against it. Don't trust things that go against what the Scripture says. God has given us his word to instruct us and encourage us. To teach us more about His greatness.  

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

This verse in 1 Timothy 1 is a warning to those who reject the scriptures or what they teach. There have been many people throughout history and many still today who want to just pick and choose the truth about Jesus. It is all through scripture though. We must have all or nothing. 

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:13-16)

The bible is a gift to us. It is a true blessing and should excite us and come up in our conversation. We should be eager to share it with others in our daily life. 

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21)

The Old Testament has so much about Jesus - He is the Lamb who was lead to the slaughter; the promised Messiah born of the virgin; He came to save the people from their sins... I could go on but I should stop there... The Bible is written for US

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:10-12)

 We have been given such a great blessing - we should not reject it but live our lives rejoicing in God's great gift to us. Dig into his Word daily and you will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Free to Serve

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:13-18) 

We naturally want what is best for us. If we walk in the Spirit however we will want the things God wants. I am not saying this is easy but it is a fight we have been called to fight. Jesus said that whoever would follow him must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow him. It is a continually battle to put other before ourselves and serve him with our whole heart. 

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.(1 Timothy 4:12) 

It is our role as Christian young people in this society to set an example to everyone who we meet. Many people use the teenage years in rebellion against the authorities that God has set over us. We should be humbly submitting to these authorities not fighting against them. God has placed them over us for our own good, to protect us and guide us. 

 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor. (1 Peter 2:13-17) 

These years are a great opportunity to serve in the church because we do not have the responsibilities of those who are married. We should use our time wisely for it is short. Evaluate what you spend your time on because you will probably not be able to spent as much of your time on the things of the Lord later on in your life.

 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:32-34)

In this age many of the young people feel like they are just being told what to do by their parents and they do not realise that their parents are only trying to get the best for them and to keep them from the dangers of the world. As we get older we do receive more freedom that we had when we were younger. We just have to be careful about how we use this freedom. Do not use it as an opportunity to go the way of the world and to follow the desires of the flesh use it to bring glory to God and set and example for the believers.  We are called to, by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the body that we may live. If we are truly children of God he will give us a new character and a promise that he who is in us is greater that he who is in the world.

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! (Psalm 119:32)

God's commandments should not be burdensome to us. Those who have been born of God, that is, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, have overcome the world through faith. My Dad was giving the example the other day of a forest. It is not easy to make your way through the undergrowth without a path and it is easy to get lost and the path can be hard to find again. If you stay on the path however you are free to run along and can make your way easily. God has given us a road on which to travel, Jesus said 'I am the way...' he has given us commandments and worldly authorities to guide us and this causes us to be free! Do not wander from the path stay in his way for it is true when Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

---

Let us continually say 'Your will, Your way, Always...' serving him with our whole heart wherever he places us...

---

Older Posts