A reminder about John Mackay

If you can't make it to Brookhouse, check out his itinerary here: http://amen.org.uk/cr/where/
He is always very interesting and informational.

Another video clip:

Let me not sink

Here is a poem I heard years ago, and then I read it again the other day. It's a challenging one.

Make Me Thy Fuel

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the crucified)
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.        

by Amy Carmichael

Shana Tova to you all

Today at Sundown, the Jewish New Year officially starts, so here is a little clip to say Happy New Year. (It's a rather catchy tune and the video is rather funny too!)

A challenging exhortational letter ??

This letter was written to a young girl who asked an older Christian to share their view about "clubbing". For instance, perhaps she wondered if can't you still go "clubbing" as long as you don't get drunk? I think if you replace the word "clubbing", the Scriptures in the letter are a pretty good guideline to the suitability of any activity for Christians who genuinely want to serve the Lord.

 I couldn’t answer your question last night as I needed more time to think about it!

Presumably due to my upbringing, the thought of “going clubbing” never entered my head. I always thought that’s something Christians just don’t do.

You asked for my thoughts on the subject, but in reality, my thoughts aren’t worth two hoots! However, several Scriptures and things came to mind that I believe I need to share with you, although I trust you’ve already read them!

 I will start with part of the Westminster Shorter Catechism which states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”. If you can think of a way that going "clubbing" will glorify God, good for you, but I can’t. After all, the essence of "clubbing" is getting drunk, having a “good time” (by the world’s standards), listening to very loud worldly music, using recreational drugs, dancing and looking for boyfriends /girlfriends.

          Next, is the whole question of “What would Jesus do?”.  Personally, I cannot picture (in my wildest imaginations) that Jesus would ever be found "clubbing". Can you?

 Next, the song, “All to Jesus, I surrender” contains a profound line, “Worldly pleasures all forsaken.” Is it just me, or is "clubbing" a “worldly pleasure”? You may find it hard to accept (I think everyone does!!) but, Jesus didn’t call Christians to have a “happy life” filled with the world’s pleasures. He calls us to be holy, set apart for Him to use. He calls us to “deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.” Mark 8:34.

 In 2 Corinthians 6, verses 11-18 and verse 1 of chapter 7 talk about the importance of being holy. “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch (or do) what is unclean and I will receive you.” This indicates that if one does not come out from among them (the world), is not separate, and does “touch the unclean things” that He will not receive that person. Obviously, that is very serious!

         

(Just to clarify, I keep mentioning “the world” and I was taught that as Christians, we have 3 main enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. I think the devil is fairly self-explanatory! The world means “out there in non-Christian environments” (which "clubbing" definitely is!!) The flesh is our own selfish nature. I know my nature is selfish, and I think everyone’s nature is selfish at times. Christians are called to live a life of “death to self” being dead to our old natures and desires, and alive to what God’s will for us is. In fact, Paul (in Galatians 2:20) says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me: and the life I now live in the flesh (body) , I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Hebrews 11:25 records that Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin for a season.” Unfortunately, (in a sense) every one of us has to make a choice- which do I want/love more? Jesus or the world.

You can’t have both because “friendship with the world is enmity with God. Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4. Trust me, if you really choose to love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, He is SO WORTH IT!!!! Though it will be tough in this life, we can know Jesus and the promise of a glorious eternal life in heaven with Him which will be so much better than anything this world can give!! The “passing pleasures of sin” do not last and really take their toll on you. Yes, you might enjoy it at the time, but afterwards, you would be left with many regrets.

May I encourage you to read John 17? I especially want you to notice verses 15-19, where Jesus is praying. He says, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (make them holy) by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”

Titus 2: 12-14 says… “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

I’m guessing you weren’t expecting such a long letter and I wasn’t expecting to write such a long one either. I trust the things I have written will help you to understand “my view” on the subject. Think about it, pray about it, see if it makes sense. I believe we ought to be very careful about not doing things/going places that will “grieve the Holy Spirit” as without Him we cannot please God. If you want some extra reading, Psalm 101 verses 2 and 3 tied in very nicely too!

I’ll close with another Scripture just for good measure, copying Jude’s ending: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."

(I don’t remember if I told you before but Amen is a Hebrew acronym which means, “The Lord our King is Faithful.”)

Take care,

God Bless,

Would anyone like to share their thoughts? I hope you've been encouraged and challenged as you read this letter. I know I was.

CHOOSE LIFE!

Here's a song I heard ages ago, and really liked, then I forgot about it for quite a while, and now I just remembered about it. Here it is: Choose Life by Big Tent Revival.
Its a great reminder of the passage in Deuteronomy which talks about choosing life/obedience/blessing over death/disobedience/cursing. It's quite a catchy tune too.
I hope you like it as much as I do.

Verse a Day and Prayers and Promises for September

Verse a Day
Sep 1	Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6
2	and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
3	Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
4	Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:11
5	And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
6	Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:20
7	My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15
8	Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:18
9	Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Psalm 25:20
10	Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. Psalm 25:21
11	Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles! Psalm 25:22
12	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Philippians 4:23
13	Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; let such as love thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified. Psalm 40:16
14	Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” Isaiah 12:2
15	Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3
16	Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4
17	Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth. Isaiah 12:5
18	Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!” Isaiah 12:6
19	In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Psalm 31:1
20	Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. Psalm 31:2
21	For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3
22	Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Psalm 31:4
23	Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalm 31:5
24	I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the LORD. Psalm 31:6
25	I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, Psalm 31:7
26	And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. Psalm 31:8
27	But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14
28	My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. Psalm 31:15
29	Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. Psalm 31:16
30	Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!  Psalm 31:19

Sep 1st	Lord, teach us to pray. Luke 11:1	I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication. Zechariah 12:10
2nd	Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; I flee unto Thee to hide me. Psalm 143:9	I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. Exodus 23:27
3rd	Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort.  Psalm 119:76	His merciful kindness is great toward us. Psalm 117:2
4th	O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up. Psalm 41:10	The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:15
5th	Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10	I will lead him. Isaiah 57:18
6th	O Lord, save Thy people, the remnant of Israel. Jeremiah 31:7	A remnant shall be saved. Romans 9:27
7th	Help me, O Lord my God; O save me according to Thy mercy.  Psalm 109:26	The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty: He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
8th	O Lord, wilt Thou hold Thy peace, and afflict us very sore? Isaiah 64:12	He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:33
9th	Rescue my soul. Psalm 35:17	He shall redeem their soul. Psalm 72:14
10th	I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord. Genesis 49:18	Wait on the Lord, and He shall save thee. Proverbs 20:22
11th	Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.  Psalm 69:14	The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10
12th	Arise, O Lord: save me, O my God.  Psalm 3:7	I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee.  Jeremiah 30:11
13th	Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications. Psalm 143:1	Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee. Job 22:27
14th	Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men.  Psalm 26:9	Before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.   Matthew 25:32
15th	One thing have I desired… to behold the beauty of the Lord.   Psalm 27:4	Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty. Isaiah 33:17
16th	O Lord, be gracious unto us, we have waited for Thee. Isaiah 33:2	Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious; the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18
17th	O the Hope of Israel; the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, leave us not.  Jeremiah 14:8,9	I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18
18th	Let integrity and uprightness preserve me. Psalm 25:21	Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved.  Proverbs 28:18
19th	Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it.  Psalm 69:18	Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  James 4:8
20th	Now, my God, let I beseech Thee, Thine eyes be open, and let Thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.  2 Chronicles 6:40	Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:15
21st	Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God.  Psalm 59:1	I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8
22nd	The Lord our God be with us, let Him not leave us, nor forsake us.  1 Kings 8:57	The Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people. 1 Samuel 12:22
23rd	Prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day. Nehemiah 1:11	The God of heaven, He will prosper us. Nehemiah 2:20
24th	O my God, defend me from them that rise up against me. Psalm 59:1	I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee. Acts 18:10
25th	Put not Thy servant away in anger.  Psalm 27:9	I have loved thee with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
26th	Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His seat!   Job 23:3	Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.   Jeremiah 29:13
27th	Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.   Psalm 51:2	I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness will I cleanse you.   Ezekiel 36:25
28th	Why dost Thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?   Job 7:21	Cry unto her, that her iniquity is pardoned. Isaiah 40:2
29th	Unite my heart to fear Thy name.   Psalm 86:11	I will put My fear in their hearts.   Jeremiah 32:40
30th	Because Thy mercy is good, deliver Thou me, for I am poor and needy.    Psalm 109:21,22	When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.  Isaiah 41:17

John Mackay (the Creation Guy) is coming to Brookhouse