Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WAR

 WAR

A three letter word that tends to strike fear and dismay into the hearts of almost everyone. It has been said that most conflicts are the result of either religious, social, or political issues but in reality the basis is usually a struggle regarding pride and power. It’s really been that way from the very beginning. 

We have been fortunate, in this part of the world, to have escaped major conflict for about 75 years. The present is the first time since WW2 that a major struggle has involved Europe and that is one of the longest times in hundreds of years. It doesn’t mean that the world has been at peace though as usually there are between 4 and 7 wars taking place somewhere in the world much of the time.

When one considers themselves better, more deserving, or more capable than others, then the stage is set for conflict to arise. It apparently happened from the very start of history when even Lucifer felt himself to be worthy of more than he had. For he had said:                                 

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest side of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, 

I will be like the Most High.

(Isaiah 14:13-14)

But we know what happened in the end. Isaiah also relates this:

How are you fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer, son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground,

 You who weakened the nations! 

(14:12)

Unfortunately, as long as man is on earth, there will be conflict because pride and the desire for power predominates the thinking of man. Apparently even in Heaven, conflict can continue because the Bible states: “…war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,” (Revelation 12:7). As was the case with Lucifer, almost all those who have created war in the past have fallen from their perch before it was all over.

No one really ever wins a war - the leaders may have a moment in the sun but everyone else suffers more than wins. As I said, we have been fortunate to have avoided most problems for the past 75 years or so, therefore, let’s pray that the present situation does not progress further than it already has. There has been enough suffering already. One person’s desire can lead to unknown misery for many. Peace, not war, is what the world needs.

And that’s something we should all pray about. 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday February 27, 2022 - Peace

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday February 23, 2022 - The Steps of a Good Man

 

The Steps of a Good Man

 

Psalm 37 verse 23 from the Good News Bible reads:

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

The King James version reads as follows;

(23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

 

When the Lord sees us doing all we can to live a faithful life he is delighted. When our behaviour models the life of Jesus, to the very best of our ability, God adds to our life His direction. The word of God when read and understood is His handbook or guidebook for our life and how we should live. Every page is meant to instruct us as to how our behavior, attitude, mindset and heart should be led by God. When we model our lifestyle after Jesus, we will do good because our thoughts, actions and deeds will be Christlike. God will be well pleased with us and our steps will be ordered by God and we will find our protection and comfort in Him.

 

When we follow God we know right from wrong, good from evil, and the choices we make play a large part in the quality of life we have. Decisions every day need to be made – we can make them on our own, or we can pray and ask God to guide our decision and / or a choice. To quote Rev. Billy Graham: “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”  I really like this quote, because it tells me God will be there for me and look after me.

 

I can settle myself in any situation knowing this scripture I opened with here in this reading. Psalm 37 Verse 23: The Lord guides a man in the way he should go and protects those who please him.

To know that the will of God and the grace of God is what sustains me, is a comforting assurance in my life.

 

We will have many things happen daily and some we are expecting and some we are not. These uncertain events may be pleasant and we are happy they came our way, then the others events may be a complete upset to our day. God is there. He will direct our path.

Success and failure will come in different measures depending on our input in life. God is there. He will direct our path.

Let us share words of kindness and compliments building up the lives of those we meet. You may even notice a tear in their eye because you just gave encouragement they rarely receive. God is there. Through you He will direct their path.

 

Everything that happens in our lives is by God’s design. The air we breathe, each step we take, the love we share, and each deed we complete is ours to enjoy because God loves us enough to send us these gifts every day. Please do not take for granted all the blessings He bestows upon you.

Now remember and be thankful because Psalm 37 Verse 23 are good words to encourage us all:

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 22

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TRUE FREEDOM

 

TRUE FREEDOM

In the book of Judges, Samson was born to be dedicated to God. His life was to be that of a Nazarite, separate from others for God’s service (Numbers 6:1-8). But, even though God was with him from his youth (Judges 13:24-25), Samson did things his way and, as a result, got himself into a number of entanglements that would have been avoided had he maintained his proper relationship with God. Samson, however, wanted the freedom to do his own thing and follow his lusts and his desires without accepting the responsibility that had initially been given to him.

In spite of his repeated failures, and his continued insistence in his freedom rather than adhering to what God had put before him, God repeatedly came to his assistance. God rescued him from his troubles similarly to how He continued to extricate Israel from repeated problems when that country fell back into doing things their way instead of following what God had decreed.

God eventually left Samson for a while due to his continued insistence in his freedom to do things his way and when that happened, Samson, at last, fell victim to his own desires and to his enemies. In his insistence on maintaining his freedom, he actually fell into the most bitter form of slavery. Just as God had removed Himself from Israel during their times of complete disobedience, God had, for a period, also removed His presence from Samson.

The Bible states that God has indicated that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), but that doesn’t mean that He won’t stand aside and let us get into trouble by doing things our way if we really insist on doing so. If we forsake Him and take the freedom to get into trouble, then He won’t stop us and may, for a period, forsake us. The Spirit of God warned Asa about this when He said: “Hear me, Asa. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2).

We should never want to be forsaken or separated from God. That is the reason true freedom does not mean just doing what we may want but doing what is needed in the context of our responsibility as Christians. True freedom actually implies and maintains the concepts of God’s instruction. It always comes with accountability and the responsibility to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) in accordance with the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). 

If we accept this, then we may well escape the type of false freedom and subsequent slavery that befell Samson and appreciate the true freedom that he might have enjoyed had he followed God’s instruction. In fact, if the world would follow the same, we would all have greater experience of true freedom and much less fear of man’s so called freedom which leads to anguish, conflict, and confrontation in so many instances.

This is the full meaning of what God intends when the Bible says: “…if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). That is true freedom, and really something to think about. 

 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday February 20, 2022 - Where Could I Go But to The Lord?

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday February 16, 2022 - The Snowball Tree

 

The Snowball Tree

 

As I looked at this tree yesterday morning, with every branch having a snowball on it

I thought of the beauty within. After the storm and the gray skies, the sun is high in the sky shining beautifully on every snow covered tree. They stand in their beauty. What a picture! This, I am sure must be a delight to an artist who can capture on canvas what God provides for our pleasure.

 

The picture you see today, I sent to my friend Bill telling him I was up all night decorating my snowball tree. I told him I was tired now, ha ha. He sent me back a message – good job! He is always so encouraging.

 

I saw the “beauty within” as I studied this tree, which made me think of God, and how He sees the beauty within each one of us. We are all so different and our outside appearances can change daily with a change of clothing, a new hairstyle, a positive attitude, and / or happy heart. You see what I mean. If all is going well then we tend to put on a happy face. If life is full of troubles and woes, then we carry this on our shoulders and our face shows the strain. But, there is beauty within – no matter our exterior, beautiful or handsome, plain or ordinary, there is beauty within.

 

Let me tell you about my uncle. One would not say he was handsome or good looking according to the standard of the world. He was not gifted with good looks as they say. His beauty was within – he had a heart as big as the world – he was a confident, happy, contented man who loved himself and loved others. Every action he did, he did for someone else. He always put others first, rarely ever thinking about himself. His first waking thought in the morning was, what can I do for my wife and daughters today. I would visit over the weekend because I loved being in his presence. He got great pleasure out of pleasing others. After he had done for the family what needed doing, he would go and help his neighbors. He loved the Lord and I believe that love grew daily within him causing his inner beauty to shine on the outside. I never met anyone who did not speak highly of my uncle. Even though he was not “good looking” he always “looked good” because of “the radiance of the Lord all over him”.

 

People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart, is a saying I often heard him say. At that time I did not know it was scripture. It is found in 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 7 and I’ll share that with you as it reads from my Good News Bible;

(7) But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as man judges. Man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

 

When we keep our heart pure before the Lord the beauty rises up within us and spills to the outside in love, love of ourselves and love of others. Not a selfish love but a love that is kind, giving and caring, a sacrificial love, the love that Jesus wants us to have and display to the world every day. The beauty within us is seen on the outside as we serve the Lord and those in our presence with love. Which brings me to 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 to 8, again from the Good News Bible.

(4) Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud;

(5) Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;

(6) Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth.

(7) Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

(8) Love is eternal.

As I read this my uncle was, patient and kind, never jealous, conceited or proud, was not an ill-mannered, selfish or irritable man. He never spoke of his past mistakes or those of others. He kept no record of wrongs. He was not an evil man, but rather loved to do good for everyone. And he saw the good in others, the beauty within. He was love on the inside and love on the outside. I believe today with all my heart he is enjoying love eternal in heaven with Jesus, his Lord and Savior. He truly lived 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 to 8.

 

I just know he made an impression on my life (well over 50 years ago) and it took years for me to grasp the understanding of; people look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart, as he would say to me. There were times I felt not quite as good, or as pretty, or smart or talented as the other girls in the family and my uncle would say – your beauty comes from within because God lives within you in Caroline.  Of course I didn’t understand that back then at the tender age of 10, but as I grew in years, I grew to understand more of what he meant. He spoke beauty into my life.

 

Tuesday, when I saw the snowball tree, and the beauty within; God brought to my mind my uncle and his wise words to me. This is what inspired this message today and I pray this story touches your heart and you find “your” beauty within. Give thanks to God who looks not at your outward appearance but sees your heart.

He sees – the beauty within.

 

By the time you read this message the snowballs will be gone because Wednesday is supposed to be a warm day and melting will take place. But remember; the words you speak into someone’s life will remain a lifetime. God will bring them back just as he did for me on Tuesday, as it is many years since my uncle’s passing but his words ring like music in my ears.

Enjoy your day giving thanks to God.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 21

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TEMPTED

 TEMPTED

Have you ever felt tempted? Of course you have. Everyone has been and is tempted all the time and in myriad ways: TV, magazines, advertisements, friends, etc. We are bombarded with temptations all day long. The problem, however, is not that we get tempted but how we respond to those enticements. 

The problem is not a new one. The Bible is full of people who were tempted during their time on earth, their response to those temptations, and the consequences of that response. It’s amazing how long those consequences can last.

In Genesis Chapter 3, we read that Eve was tempted by Satan and that she and Adam yielded to that temptation. Subsequently, we all have been engulfed in the conflict of good vs. evil ever since.

And Noah, in Genesis Chapter 9, yielded to the temptation of the vine, and subsequently accused his son Ham of seeing his nakedness and cursed him for it. Ham was the father of Canaan and the Canaanites who became thorns to the nation of Israel for generations.

Also Lot, yielded to his daughters and became drunk so that both daughters had relations with him. Those relationships produced children who, in turn, became the fathers of the Ammonites and the Moabites - future enemies of Israel.

Abraham as well did not fully believe God when he was promised a son and fell into temptation by Sarah’s suggestion that he have a relationship with Hagar, thus taking matters into his own hands. As a result, Ishmael was born and God said that he “shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation”(Genesis 17:20).  But, 

“He shall be a wild man;

His hand shall be against every man,

And every man’s hand against him.”

(Genesis 16:12)

And these problems are still with us today.

David was tempted by Bathsheba and yielded to that temptation which resulted in many sons.  Their first son died, but the other ones caused many problems in David’s life.

Soloman, to whom God gave both wealth and wisdom, yielded in his later life to the temptation of pagan women and as a result his kingdom later split.

There are many other examples of problems that developed when one gave into temptation, but also instances of what occurred when temptation was resisted. Perhaps the best known is the time when Joseph resisted the enticement of Potiphar’s wife and, even though he initially went to prison, ended up being second in command of all of Egypt.

Even Christ was tempted by Satan (Matthew Chapter 4) and other temptations but He resisted. Because of this it can be said in Hebrews that: “…we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” (Hebrews 4:15). It’s the yielding to temptation which causes the problem, not the temptation itself.

See, God is not the one who initiates temptation but the one who give us the strength to resist yielding if we allow Him. James 1:12-13 says:

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation;

for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Let no one say when he is tempted,‘I am tempted by God’;

for God cannot be tempted by evil, 

nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”

Temptation does not originate with God but is almost if not always associated with sin, and we are tempted almost constantly in one way or another. This is why we are told to: “give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:5). But also in the same book we are told that: “…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape…” (10:13).

Temptation may run the gamut from something almost inconsequential to very troublesome such as drugs, alcohol or criminal activity. In all of these, the above still remains true and it should always give us something to think about.

  

Pastor Caroline - Sunday February 13, 2022 - The Power of the Gospel

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday February 9, 2022 - Be a Light

 

Be a Light

 

We have all awakened to a day that was dark and overcast. We have had some of these lately for sure. It is hard to get going on these dark and dismal days. Our energy levels just seem to drop to zero or lower. Then on the other hand, when the sun shines and that is how you’re greeted as you awake, all of a sudden you can take on the world! The day has a much better feel to it. There is a bounce in your step and your energy level is heightened and you want to greet the day because it is bright. You walk in the light of the day.

 

The Lord wants us to come out of the darkness and enter into his marvellous light. 1 Peter Chapter 2 Verse 9 in the Good News Bible reads:

(9) But you are a chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvellous light.

 

We are called to be a light. Isn’t that beautiful?

 

As we read God’s word we see that darkness is generally associated with sin and evil. People who live in darkness either do not know God, or choose to live without Him. They suffer and life is generally miserable because of sin and evil. Those who follow Jesus now and back in the time when He walked the earth, see and know Jesus as the light of the world. Jesus himself taught them and teaches us today, offering hope, mercy, grace, and wisdom through the word of God. Revealing the truth of God‘s word to us as we study the word and practice living our lives in truth. We have a brighter life then those who choose to not live as God has designed.

 

In Luke Chapter 11 Verses 33 to 36 under the sub title, The Light of the Body we read in the Good News Bible this instruction given by Jesus:

(33) “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a bowl; instead, he puts it on a lampstand, so that people may see the light as they come in.

(34) Your eyes are like a lamp for the body. When your eyes are sound, your whole body is full of light; but when your eyes are no good, your whole body will be in darkness.

(35) Make certain, then, that the light in you is not darkness.

(36) If your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be bright all over, as when a lamp shines on you with its brightness.”

 

Jesus is called the Light of the World.  In Him is goodness, mercy, grace, love, kindness, knowledge and wisdom. In John Chapter 8 Verse 12 Jesus tells the Pharisees. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”

 

Even in our times of trial, trouble and turmoil, when darkness wants to overtake us, we need only to turn to the word of God and the light appears to dispel the darkness. God makes a way for us to move forward in light and faith, not stand frozen in the darkness of fear.

 

In these last few storms we have had, everyone I spoke to, was grateful we did not lose power. We had light and somehow just having light makes the storms more bearable. Having Jesus as our light we can weather any storm and life itself is bearable. Jesus is our light, our light of life.

 

So let your light shine, be a light unto others and let Jesus shine through you. Offer the light of Christ to those you meet who live in the darkness, without God; and watch the transformation in their lives as it was once in you before you became a lamp onto the Lord. Be bright all over as the word of God tells us, and let your little light shine!! Share the word of God and bring the light into the very lives of those who are in your presence. Be a light everyday and make the world a brighter place to live.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 20

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ALWAYS THE SAME BUT OFTEN DIFFERENT PART 3

 ALWAYS THE SAME BUT OFTEN DIFFERENT

PART 3

It’s been stated that God does not change (Malachi 3:6) and that: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  He does, however, use different ways to both bless us and to have us work with Him. In spite of the fact that we have rejected the covenants made with us (which were really for our benefit) and disobeyed the Laws set up for us (which were really for our good), He has continued to, in many ways, defer to us and seek our relationship with Him. In many respects, He has made it easy for us to reconcile with Him.

Perhaps that’s part of the problem; it just seems too easy. There’s no pressure; no evident demands for such a renewal of the relationship. God does not, nor should people, try to force compliance with His ways. It remains entirely with us. As the Bible states: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Even though He demonstrates many varied ways and means by which He desires this reconciliation, He will not force it on anyone. We have to open the door for Him, He will not do it otherwise. In the meantime, He continues to respond to our prayers, to give us His word and His Message.

In spite of the varied ways in which He tries to relate to us and convey His desires for us, there is only one way in which we can be truly reconciled to God. He is, after all, still basically the unchanging God and He has said that, after all has been said and done, there remains only one way back to Him. In Luke 16, the Bible relates the story of a man who had it made on earth and neglected God’s teaching as well as that of a man who had nothing. After their deaths, the first man, in torture now, wanted help from the second man, Lazarus, but was told that after death there was separation between those who followed God’s direction and those who did not. And when help could not be given the man of riches, he asked for Lazarus to be sent to his brothers, who were still living, and warn them as to what would be coming. Abraham said: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). 

The rich man further said:

"No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.

But Abraham said in return:

“If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead”

(Luke 16:30-31)

If God is truly unchanging, in spite of His various methods, then what was true then is equally true today. We still have His Word and the reports of Moses and the prophets. Additionally, we have the evidence that: “…since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20).

The eternal Godhead and the unchanging God who has given us so much evidence; but yet we still don’t accept what we can see much less read in His word or listen to from past leaders and/or the prophets. Abraham was right in his belief that we, in most cases, are not persuaded by the one who has risen from the dead. That gulf between Lazarus and the rich man still exists. How many of us will find ourselves on the wrong side of the chasm?

It is truly something to think about.

Pastor Caroline - Sunday February 6, 2022 - Salvation Is For All

Pastor Caroline - February 2, 2022 - Sermon on the Mount / True Happiness

 

Sermon on the Mount / True Happiness

 

Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 6 in the Good News Bible tells us:

(6) Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!

 

Did you ever hear the saying? You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all the time. By John Lydgate

So you can please:

Some people - all the time

All people- some of the time

But— you cannot please all the people- all of the time.

Think about this, it is so true!!

 

If we spend our life trying to satisfy and / or please ourselves and others with what transpires in our daily lives in this world we will come up short, to say the least. Oh, we can be happy some of the time but not all the time. You see, we were never meant to have true happiness through the means of this world. When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapter 5 verses 1 to 12; He explains how to have true happiness. Seek the Lord and His ways, mourn with those who mourn, humble yourself, desire to do the work of the Lord, be merciful, speak the truth, keep your heart pure, be a peacemaker, stand up for Jesus and keep your faith in Him strong. When others make fun of you, insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers, be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven, we are told here in versus 11 and 12.

 

We will experience happiness some of the time as we journey through life but our true happiness and complete joy will be rewarded to us when we enter our eternal life. The kingdom of heaven belongs to us whose greatest desire is to do as God requires and He will satisfy us fully as we are told in verse six. I love the wisdom in this message from Jesus and verse 6 blesses my heart and mind. I pray you are blessed as well.

 

When we are in the presence of God (taking our time away from the distractions of the world) only then can we fill the deepest hunger of our soul. Reading and studying the word of God, listening to worship, helping others in the love of Christ, sharing the gospel and bringing peace in a chaotic situation are ways we can experience happiness in Christ. Staying true to our faith, declaring and living the word of God as our guide in life is the best way of showing to others we are a follower of Christ. You can know true happiness every day as you live out the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is our wonderful teacher, Saviour and Redeemer. In Him we are fully satisfied.

Enjoy your day in Jesus.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 19