Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 12

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - I AM

 I AM

When Moses asked God His name at the burning bush, God replied that His name was  “I AM WHO I AM…Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

In the times of the Old Testament, God had been known by a number of names. So, it always seemed a little unusual that He would give this name to Moses when He was already known by Jehovah, Eloheim, Yahweh, Adonai and many others. Why then would He represent Himself by another name not already known? Probably for at least three reasons.

First, it implied God’s permanence. He always was and always will be. There never was nor will there ever be a time when He’s just not. “I AM God Almighty” He said in Genesis 35:11, and Jesus, in John 8:58, said “before Abraham was, I AM.” Jesus also said: “I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

Second, it gives a continuance between God the Father and Christ the Son. In John, the high Christology of his gospel is underlined by this picture of Jesus identity:

I AM the bread of life. (John 6:48)

I AM the light of the world. (John 8:12)

I AM the door. (John 10:9)

I AM the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11)

I AM the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25)

I AM the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

   I AM the true vine. (John 15:1)*

Seven statements, the number of completion and perfection which shows that Jesus completely and perfectly was the prophet implied in Deuteronomy 18. “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him” (Deuteronomy 18:18).

Finally, it further emphasizes the meaning of the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Whenever we referring to ourselves and what we can do as the greatest, the best, the fastest, etc., we place ourselves in the “I AM” position. In fact  we tend to make ourselves as a god in place of the true God whose name is really I AM. We really can do nothing, be nothing, or accomplish anything without God’s help,  Therefore, we must be careful not to replace the true I AM with our own I am. 

In many ways it seems like a small thing, but it is certainly something we should think about.

*In part from Mysteries of the Messiah pg. 100 by Rabbi Jason Sobel

Pastor Caroline - The First Sunday of Advent - Hope

Celebrating Grace

 

Our beloved Grace Heighton was called to heaven on Saturday, November 20, in her 95th year. The Lord was her Shepherd all her life and gave her many wonderful years here with us all.

 A private family celebration will be held for her tomorrow November 26.  We as a congregation extend our condolences to the family and will honour the private ceremony due to Covid restrictions. Grace spent her last few years in Falmouth at Windsor Elms where she was close to her daughter Beth.  She loved it there and she was loved by many who will miss her.

“Welcome home my good and faithful servant,” are the words I am sure she would hear upon entering heaven.
One day we will join you where the roses never fade.

Pastor Caroline and all the family of Master’s Hand Ministry.

For Grace's obituary, see the link below:

https://mclarenfuneral.ca/tribute/details/417/Grace-Heighton/obituary.html#tribute-start

 

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday November 24, 2021 - Fear

Fear

All scripture used today is taken from the Good News Bible.

 

How often have you heard someone say, I fear for what my future holds, or I fear for my job, my health, my security or I fear getting old? Surely you have heard all of these or at least one or two. And perhaps maybe even your very own ears heard your voice speak these very words.

 

Well I remember hearing fear presented this way;

F alse

E vidence

A ppearing

R eal

I separated the capitals so you could see the word fear.

 

Well only the devil wants us to remember this acronym and live under it. He wants to draw us away from God, by using fear. Well my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am not living under his fear and or his definition of it. When he presents problems and makes them appear real by giving me false evidence I go to the Lord. God has told us over and over in the Bible, “Fear Not”.

Apparently in the Bible we will find the words “fear not”  365 times (although I’ve never counted all of them), that is one for every day of the year. I figure if it’s written 365 times then God has us covered in times and situations that take our breath away. When fear comes, we should immediately look up and ask God for help. We must remember God and His instruction found in 2 Timothy verse 7.

(7) For the spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love and self-control.

So this tells me God has not given us a spirit of fear, but instead power, love and self-control. Praise the name of the Lord!

 

Also in Philippians Chapter 4 verse 6 we read;

(6) Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers and ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.

So when fear comes, pray – pray (instead of worrying) through fear and ask God to rest your anxious mind and your fearful heart. He will hear your prayer and then as we see in verse 7 here in Chapter 4 of Philippians

(7) And God‘s peace, which is far beyond human understanding will help keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

Oh how I love the word of God – there is always an answer.

 

Psalm 23 verse 4 was always a great comfort to me as a young person and still is today because the word of God never changes and never loses its power!

(4) Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

As a child, I understood God protects and provides for us, because my grandfather once said to me; “Just as a shepherd looks after the sheep, God looks after us, we are His sheep”.

I never forgot that line.

And if God is with us at all times then who should we fear? Isaiah Chapter 41 verse 10 tells us;

(10) Do not be afraid – I am with you!

I am your God – let nothing terrify you!

I will make you strong and help you;

I will protect you and save you.

 

How powerful are the words of the Lord.

How assuring are the words of the Lord.

 

Again in Isaiah Chapter 43 verse 5 we are told yet again:

(5) Do not be afraid— I am with you!

 

When fear enters in, push it out with the word and the power of God. Ask God to help you think clearly and speak out your fear, and then just breathe – deep breaths until you are resting in the Lord. Worship the Lord, in song and praise and soon your fears will be replaced by the assurance that God is with you and you can trust in Him for peace.

1 John Chapter 4 verse 18 reminds us:

(18) There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear.

 

The Lord assures us that He is more powerful than any fear or adversity we may encounter and when the devil wants to pull us down, God will raise us up, in His power and protection. We can only imagine how many times God has saved us from a tragedy as we may never know how close we came to this or that: and, His intervention kept us safe. Again I say, praise the Lord and thanks be unto Him who loves us so very much. As we give honour to Him we are grateful for His authority and power over our lives. He loves us and as we live in His perfect love because of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Now that we have accepted Him in our heart; we cannot even imagine life without Him. I am so thankful that I am never alone and neither are you; if you have Jesus as Lord.

 

So now my friends, here is an acronym on fear to replace the one we started with at the beginning of the message.

F ace

E verything

A nd

R ise

 Rise because Jesus lifts us up and He will never leave us or forsake us; says His word in Deuteronomy Chapter 31 verse 8.

(8) The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.

 

Fear:

Face everything and rise!

and then, Fear not!!

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 11

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - RUTH AND BEYOND

 RUTH AND BEYOND

One of the stories commonly heard from the old Testament is that of Ruth and her marriage to Boaz, an Israelite farmer. Ruth was a Moabite woman, perhaps even a princess, who married one of Naomi’s sons after she and her husband Elimelech, along with their two sons, went to Moab to escape a famine in Bethlehem. To go there at all, or to have association with a Moabite, had previously been strictly forbidden by God. No “…Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord; even to their tenth generation…[You] shall not seek their peace or prosperity all your days forever” (Deuteronomy 23:3,6). Perhaps this is the reason that both of Naomi’s sons and her husband died in Moab not too long after settling there.

In order to understand God’s edict, it’s necessary to go back to Genesis and follow the history. Abraham and his nephew Lot travelled from Ur until they reached the area of Sodom and Gomorrah where they parted ways. Through Abraham and Sarah, and their son Issac, came the nation known as the Hebrews. Lot, after escaping from Sodom and becoming drunk, had an incestuous relationship with his daughters and from these encounters came two sons: Moab, the father of the Moabites and Ammon, the father of the ammonites. Both these nations later became the enemy of Israel. For example: neither offered Israel any help on the way out of Egypt and the king of Moab hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. 

So Moab and Israel were long time enemies even though they were distantly related. By the marriage of Ruth to Boaz, the descendants of Lot and Abraham were in a sense reunited. The marriage also united the Hebrew people and the Gentiles so that they could become as one and with both coming under the one God. Ruth had renounced her old religion when she returned to Bethlehem “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16, KJV). 

This set the stage for the lineage of David and of Christ because He came for the whole world and not just for one nation. This was further set forth when Christ said to Ananias regarding Saul, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). It was this action which could and should unite the church as one entity under the message of “Christ crucified” (1Corinthians 1:23) but which became “to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness”(1 Corinthians 1:23).  

The stage was set through the union of Boaz and Ruth and their reconciliation. It was further emphasized by Christ when He sent Saul out to preach to both the Jews and Gentiles. The church, united, would be a potent force for salvation and transformation. Jesus also reiterated this in His final prayer when He said:

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 

that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in Me, and I in you; 

that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, 

that they may be one just as We are one: I in them and You in Me; 

that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

(John 17:20-23) 

When the Jewish people and the Gentiles fully unite, as illustrated by Ruth and Boaz, and by the commission given to Paul and the church, then we may see the true transformative power of Christ’s word and of the church. Then, also, we may see the world as we all would like it to be. 

At least it’s something to think about. 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday November 21, 2021 - Salvation is for All

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday November 17, 2021 - If God is For Us

 

If God is For Us

 

Romans Chapter 8 verse 31 from the Good News Bible reads:

(31) In view of all of this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

 In our world today where separation seems to be so prevalent one wonders how do we stay connected? And I’m not talking about phones here, I’m talking about people staying connected to one another. I look around and I see marriages that started out “in love” and fall part because someone “fell out of love”. Years together building a home and family and suddenly one walks away – to start a new life.

 

In marriage God intends us to work together, loving and respecting one another, and to bring children into the marriage. These children are our biological children and / or adopted into the family. We as parents are to provide love, shelter, food, guidance and direction to the lives we are entrusted with. We are to bring the children up in the faith. Let them see Jesus as our Father in heaven and assure them we are part of His family. We belong to the family of God when we accept Jesus as lord and Saviour.

 

It touches my heart when I meet people who have been together for years and years, still in love, and enjoying their children and their children’s children. Sometimes when the years allow, even their great- great grandchildren. In this family I can see God as the Father of them all because the parents had a relationship with Jesus and passed it on to their children who passed it on and so forth,  growing 3, 4 maybe even 5 generations of family who functioned as God intended.

 

Even when families do not function as God plans, and separation happens, we remind ourselves that those who are in the body of Christ, living as God directs; will always be part of the family of God. We have a church family, brothers and sisters in Christ and I’ve often heard it said, so-and-so was my spiritual mom or dad. So if for any reason your biological family became separated please know that God looks beyond that and welcomes you to a family that is bound together in the love of Jesus. Jesus is God, and when God is for us who can be against us? Give your heart to Jesus asking Him to be your Lord and Saviour, become adopted into His family, be nurtured by His word, and put your faith and trust in Him alone and you will always be family, here on earth and in eternal life.

 

So if you meet someone today who has become separated from the earthly family please assure them that in the family of God they will be connected. Connected to a Father who loves them so much He sent His son to die for them. A Father who loves all of us enough to forgive all our sins and give us love and direction throughout our lives here on earth when we study His word and live our life by it. When we make and keep a covenant with the Lord nothing will separate us from His love.

Romans chapter 8 verses 31 to 39 from the Good News Bible assures us of this as we read:

(31) In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his son – will he not also freely give us all things? (33)Who will accuse God’s chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! (34) Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right hand of God, pleading with him for us! (35) Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? (36)As the Scripture says,

“For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.”

(37)No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! (38) For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, (39) neither the world above nor the world below – there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is a power word from the Lord.

 

Today, and every day, I thank God that He is above all and no matter what takes place in this world He transcends this world. Thank you Lord for your promise of eternal life and giving us the knowledge of Your word. How comforting it is and what a blessing to know,

If God is for us who can be against us?

We are in His hands.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 10

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE TABLETS

 THE TABLETS

Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD) is reported to have said: “The sacred text (Bible) has more than one meaning. The literal sense ought not to be set aside. But…beyond the literal sense of the text there are other meanings.”* This is because Scripture is written allegorically.

One such place this appears to be so is in the relating of the Ten Commandments and the details commented upon in Scripture. In Exodus 24, the Lord said to Moses, “…Come up to Me on the mountain…and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written…” (Exodus 24:12). Moses was there 40 days and nights before coming down again with the two tablets, and by that time the people had already persuaded Arron to make a golden calf to be worshiped. So as Moses descended and saw this He became angry and the tablets which “…were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets…”(Exodus 32:16), “…he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain” (Exodus 32:19). And under God’s direction, Moses gathered the sons of Levi to himself and “…the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day”(Exodus 32:28).

So the Tablets were broken and many died because of the actions of the Israelites that day. But God called Moses back to the mountain a second time. He told Moses to “…cut two tablets of stone like the first ones and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke” (Exodus 34:1). Moses did what God told him and was on the mountain 40 more days after which he descended with the new tablets and he himself was a changed man. “…when Moses came down from Mount Sinai…the skin of his face shone, and they (the Israelites) were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:29-30).

This briefly is the event of the giving of the Ten Commandments. So where’s the allegorical part? Well, Christ himself said: “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). On one of the tablets of Moses was written the Laws of loving God and on the other were written the laws of man loving each other.

The two tablets broken due to the sins of the Israelites, and their lack of belief, were the same as Christ being broken (crucified), dying for the sin of the world. And as God gave Moses a second chance but told him to cut out the tablets himself this time, so do we all have second (and more) chances and we are told to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Furthermore, when Moses broke the first set if tablets, fighting broke out “…and about three thousand men of the people died that day”(Exodus 32:28). Acts 2 states that “…those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them”(Acts 2:41).

Jewish tradition states that the words on the first tablets were removed back to heaven after 40 days. Christ returned to heaven 40 days after the crucifixion. Moses was transformed after his second meeting with God; all who believe will be transformed after the Second Coming of Christ. And at that time, just as the second set of tablets were kept whole, so will Jesus remain unscathed as He returns as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In addition, when God appeared to Moses on the Mount, “…there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet was very loud; so that all the people who were in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16). This was the same God that the people complained against and criticized during the trek in the desert up to that time. In the same vein, Revelation states that “ there was a great earthquake…and the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains”(Revelations 6:12,15) “and there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (Revelation 8:5).

There is so much more in the Bible that we don’t appreciate or understand because none of us study it the way we should. That is probably why we are told to “meditate on Your precepts” (Psalm 119:15), “meditate on Your wonderful works” (Psalm 119:27), “meditate on Your statutes” (Psalm 119:48), “meditate on Your word” (Psalm 119:148), “meditate on the glorious splendour of Your majesty” (Psalm 145:5), “meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16), “meditate in it (The Book of the Law) day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8). “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1Timothy 4:15).

It’s a lot to take in and certainly something to think about 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday November 14, 2021 - Life of Good Deeds

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday November 10, 2021 - Peace

 

Peace

 

Today I want to give thanks to God for all the men and women who died in battle for our freedom. May they be remembered and honoured and may our hearts be grateful to the families who let their loved one / ones go to battle; believing one day our world would be a better place to live. My gratitude is also sent out to all who served, and survived the battle but still suffer the effects of what they experienced. God give them peace of mind I pray. On Remembrance Day let us all take time to remember, honour and appreciate the great the great country we live in thanks to those who gave in such an unselfish manner. Without those who served and those who continue to serve we could not and would not have the freedom and peace we enjoy every day in our free nation.

Let us remember—

                             Lest we forget.

 

                        Peace

Peace in the world — peace within ourselves. When we offer someone the piece of Christ do we realize the gift about which we speak? Peace is a gift, one of the most important gifts in our life. True peace comes from God.

 

When our world seems to be crumbling around us, we pray and a peace comes to us. A peace that goes beyond what we understand as we are told in Philippians chapter 4 verse 7.

This verse actually reads this way in my Good News Bible:

(7) And God‘s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

 

When something takes place in our life that causes us hurt or pain, we go to God bringing Him our emotions and we ask Him to direct us. We ask that He keep us from causing more hurt or pain because of our reaction. God does not want us to react but rather act in the likeness of Christ. Forgive, and ask for forgiveness.

 

When we give forgiveness or receive forgiveness we feel peace over us and we cannot humanly explain it fully. We just know that we know – we have peace! Thank you, Jesus.

 

When we turn our heart and mind to Christ it is amazing the strength we receive. The heaviness is lifted, giving us a feeling of being refreshed. We feel His peace which allows us to just let go and let God – lift us higher. Imagine truly understanding the union we have in Christ when we stay focused on Him.

 

Peace is something we all can have. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour we accept the gift of salvation, the gift of knowing our sins are forgiven because of the completed work He did on the cross. Jesus purchased our salvation with His blood and giving His life on the old rugged cross; so that we may all be forgiven.

 

Let us always remember what Jesus did and be ever so grateful. Let us never forget how much He loves us. Let us accept His gift of peace. And let us forgive as He forgives us. Then we will understand peace in a new way.

 

May we all keep our hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

Let there be peace shared among us; and may the peace of Christ be with you every day.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 9

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - LEST WE FORGET

LEST WE FORGET

The above phrase is one we hear a lot, particularly during this time of year. We often remember those who sacrificed their lives or health for the benefit of this country especially if they were relatives, friends, or neighbours. But we often do not remember or think about the real circumstances that determined and accompanied those sacrifices. We tend to put such remembrances aside since we were not actually involved in the conflicts.  It’s really not a surprise considering that it has been about 80 years since the end of WW2 and most of us have never experienced the horrors, agonies, or restrictions of war.

War, to most of us, is what we read about in books or see in movies,  It is often marked by pageantry, parades, and military events which tend, in many ways, to glorify and enlarge the military life. While this may be somewhat acceptable during peacetime, it can diminish the truth regarding the events that took place during a conflict. We are inclined to forget what genuine confrontation entails when we have never had to take part in any actual conflict.

The reality is that we do forget and this is not a new phenomena. In many ways we forget what history has already taught us and because of that we are probably doomed to repeat it. This was expressed over 3000 years ago after Joshua entered the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy, the Hebrews were told to:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

But apparently this was not done as God  had instructed. Joshua did bring the Hebrew people into the land God had reserved for them but eventually he, and those of that generation, died.  Then “…another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord…” (Judges 2:10-11) so that He (God) “…sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so they could no longer stand before their enemies” (Judges 2:14).

This apparently happened over and over again. God would rise up someone to bring the children of Israel back to Him and give victory over their enemies for them only to forget and slip back into their old ways whenever that leader was no more. The cycle would repeat itself time and time again. Forgetfulness seemed to be a habit they could not shake. 

It seems the same today. We say we’re not going to forget, but if one hasn’t been there it is unlikely that those very important details, the ones that are really required to truly appreciate the enormity of war, are lost. We don’t learn from history any more than the Israelites did and, therefore, at some stage we’re likely to repeat it.

So it’s nice to say we won’t forget but the reality is that we do forget the important details; details that we should always remember. That is why we were told to love the Lord, keep His words, and to teach them diligently to our children, so that we would not forget Him. 

He who, about 2000 years ago, sacrificed His life for us so that we might be blessed with complete freedom and an enteral life. A life, gifted to us only because He took our punishment when He took our place. 

But we do forget what He did and thus fall back into the same scenarios that have always been our problems. The same way we never really remember all the sacrifice made by the men and women who fought and died on our behalf.

We were told to always love God and to keep this thought close to our heart. If we all did this then the world, as whole, would be a better place and we would not keep repeating the problems that we continually face.  If we truly kept in our hearts the memories of those who died on our behalf during wartime, and why they died, then hopefully we would not be as apt to  repeat history. 

Remembering those individuals and our history is something we should always be thinking about; in the same way we should always have in our heart the memory of Christ’s sacrifice.

We need to keep thinking about it: Lest We Forget. 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday November 7, 2021 - Remember and Serve

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday November 3, 2021 - He Lifted Me Up

 

He Lifted Me Up

 

From The Good News Bible 

Psalm 37 verses 23 - 24

(23) The Lord guides a man in the way he should go and protects those who please him.

(24) If they fall, they will not stay down, because the Lord will help them up.

I like to pray this scripture in this way:

The Lord will guide me in the way I should go and protect me as I please Him. When I fall, He will not let me stay down for He will lift me up and I am so thankful for the promises found in His word.

Amen.

 

When we pray we take time to be with God. Are you taking time every day to be with the Lord and seeking His direction for your day? It is not hard to do — open your Bible and go to the book of Psalms, or whatever book you prefer, and just glance at the open page. Let your eyes fall to the words that “jump out” at you and then ask God to show you what they mean. Every day is a new day — a fresh start to a prayer perhaps you’ve never prayed before. We can use the word of God to pray through our day. As we look at today’s message from Psalm 37 verse is 23 and 24 it tells us that God guides a man in the way he should go. This means God gives us direction as to how we should live every day. The scripture I choose today tells me God:

(1) guides me

(2) protects me

(3) and will lift me up

 

When I apply these three promises to my day and the events therein, I can rest assured that He will be with me in all I do. What a wonderful way to start my day and to work through my day having this scripture as my guide and prayer, found in His word.

 

When we stay in the presence of the Lord through prayer, thought and deed we give honour to Him, thus pleasing Him. When we study the word and apply it to our lives and lifestyle we soon realize how God keeps us true to ourselves and to Him. Our decisions will be made under His wisdom and our actions will be divinely put into effect. Have you ever noticed when someone seems to have so much affliction that you might think they should give up? But they don’t!! Through it all they grow stronger. Somehow they just carry on; assured God will work out all things to His glory. And sure enough you meet them and they testify to the faithfulness and goodness of God who has turned their life around and all is well. Their faith, trust and hope in God has been rewarded to them by the grace of God working out all things. Glory hallelujah!

 

See God did not let them fall, He guided them and lifted them above their affliction. Only God can do that!

 

When we stay in the word, it pleases God because He loves when we read His love letter to us; and we grow stronger and stronger. It doesn’t seem to matter where I open my Bible I get something new every day and yes, this very book, which is well worn and its pages marked up and dog-eared is a wealth of information and tremendous prayer book to be. What a guide it has been to me over the years. And still, like this morning, this verse which we opened with still stirs my heart “to a fresh understanding.”

 

Today I thank God for guiding me, protecting me and lifting me up. I thank Him for His hands, those nail scarred hands that purchased my salvation and yours.  One day when His hand touches mine I will be forever in His presence realizing He truly has;

lifted me up!!

He will lift you as well when you stay in His presence. Enjoy the word and promises of God everyday before you head out to face the world. And for a good sleep every night, end your day in prayer thanking God for all your blessings and His care.

I love the Lord and I know He loves me too, and He loves you. Enjoy your day with Him.

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 8

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - CLOSET SKELETONS

 CLOSET SKELETONS

Most people probably know that if they dig deep enough into their family tree, some unknown or unexpected skeletons could come falling from the branches. And if you look into the ancestors of Christ, some unexpected developments also occur.

In the Bible, there are warnings against interfaith marriages and in some cases they were essentially forbidden. In Deuteronomy, seven nations were considered completely off limits to the Hebrew people. “Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son” (Deuteronomy 7:3). The reason for this? “For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly” (Deuteronomy 7:4).

In spite of this, intermarriage did occur and this, in part, formed some of Christ’s own lineage.

In the story of Ruth, it is told that Ruth, a Moabite woman (perhaps even a Moabite princess) was taken in marriage by Boaz, a relative of Naomi. That relationship resulted in a son called Obed, who was the grandfather of David the King and the earthly ancestor of Christ.

Likewise, in the book of Genesis, in the middle of the story about Joseph, it starts to talk about Judah and his marriage to the daughter of a Canaanite woman Shua. This happened even though God had warned about marriage between Hebrews and people from other nations. Judah and his wife had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er married a woman named Tamar, but because he was wicked in God’s sight, the Lord killed him. In accordance with the custom of the time, Onan was to marry Tamar but he refused to consummate the marriage and so he died also. So Tamar, now a widow, turned to Judah. His wife had also died, and as Shelah was still too young to marry, Tamar prostituted herself, deceived Judah, and conceived by him. Not a nice situation to have children to your own father-in-law under such circumstances but this is what happened and from that relationship came two sons: Perez and Zerah.

If you look at the first chapter of Matthew, it relates there how Perez was in the lineage of David and thus also of Christ. These skeletons in the genealogy of Christ illustrate the imperfections in His earthly family tree.

Are people sometimes concerned that since Christ was sinless, that no matter what, they will never be able to live up to what is supposedly expected of them? That they may have been too bad to ever be able to enter heaven? We all have done things that we wish we hadn’t and have family history that we might wish to have undone. In other words, we all have, somewhere in our past, closet skeletons that we wish were not there. Isn’t it comforting to know that even a man without sin himself can have a family tree that is less than perfect?

It’s enough to make you pause and think.