The more I ponder on the parable of the prodigal son, the more I am in absolute wonder at the beauty of this story and how the bible speaks to us about God’s love.

This parable can be looked at from three different viewpoints. The son who took his inheritance, the son who stayed at home and the father.

The son who took his inheritance was impulsive, with no sense of duty towards his family. He knew what his inheritance would be but he was impatient and couldn’t wait for it, so with the audacity of one so young and impulsive, he asked his father for it. It may not have consciously crossed his mind, but what he was really saying was, “I can’t wait for you to die!” So his father gave him what he asked for.

Meanwhile the other son, who you might say was the responsible and dutiful one, stayed and continued to work on the estate.

When the younger son had spent his entire inheritance on wild living and had nothing left, he began to reflect on his past… thinking of what he’d left behind. He had sunk so low that he was looking after pigs belonging to a gentile, for surely no respectable Jew would keep such unclean animals. He wished he could share their food just to survive, he was so hungry. He’d hit rock bottom. How on earth has it come to this, he reflected. I had everything and now I have nothing. My father is a good man, he treats his servants well and they have plenty to eat… I will return home and say to him, Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands. So he left the pigs and set out on the journey home.

Every day since the son had left, the father had come out to look for him. He missed him so much and longed to see him again. On this particular day, as he looked out, he saw his son walking towards him and his heart was filled with joy! He ran out to meet him – and the son, not expecting a welcome, began his rehearsed speech. Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son… But before he could say, Make me like one of your hired servants, the father had flung his arms around him and embraced him. He called to his servants to bring a robe and sandals, and put a ring on his son’s finger, then he called for the fattened calf to be killed. His son was gone for so long – he didn’t know if he was dead or alive – but now he was home. It was the most wonderful day and worthy of a huge celebration.

The older brother, wondering what the commotion was, asked a servant. When he heard that his brother had returned he was not pleased. This selfish, reckless boy had been given his inheritance while his father still lived and had not even thought about his brother being left behind to do the work of two. Though the father tried to encourage him to come into the banquet, the older son refused as he felt so angry and resentful. He now directed that resentment not just at his brother, but at his father too. He felt his little brother had been given everything. The irony was that one day, he would inherit everything the father had. His brother would have nothing other than his father’s love. But sadly, the older brother couldn’t see that he too was loved. He was working to build his own inheritance, but didn’t build his relationship with his father.

And therein lies the moral of the story…

We all expect to inherit something, someday. But will it be what we think is rightfully ours because we’ve worked for it? Or will we have the joy of experiencing the love of the father, that we haven’t worked for, and don’t deserve but is freely given?

The choice is yours….

This is Young’s Literal Translation…

Isaiah 53:4-5,10
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed (considered) him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace [is] on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us. [10] And Jehovah hath delighted to bruise him, He hath made HIM sick, If his soul doth make an offering for guilt, He seeth (sees) seed — he prolongeth days, And the pleasure of Jehovah in his hand doth prosper.

Read this. Then read it again. Then REALLY read it and drink in every word! SURELY he bore our sicknesses and carried our pains! By his bruise there is healing to us!

No ifs buts or maybes. FACT! Believe that Jesus paid for EVERYTHING at the cross – including our healing!

Ok, so this is a rather poor depiction of a prophetic picture I had a while back but, as persecution and spiritual attacks against Christians generally are on the rise, I thought I should share what I believe the Lord was saying…

The “people” you can see are all born again Christians, saved by grace through faith and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The bright white light is where Jesus is, at the centre. As we draw nearer to him we are completely hidden from the enemy. He knows the blinding white light is where Jesus is, but he can’t see him. He knows there are believers with him in the light but he can’t see those who are close to him. The people on the periphery are saved and sealed, but they are distracted by the things of the world, not staying close and not keeping their eyes on Jesus. The further they move away from the Lord, the more visible they become.

The enemy constantly fires arrows at us; lies, fear, discouragement, sickness, affliction… Those darts cannot harm those who are in Christ, BUT the people at the outer edges can be seen and aimed at more accurately and when their eyes are not on the Lord, they can see those darts coming and RECEIVE them!

Let me explain what I mean. Imagine it’s raining and you’re driving carefully through a flood on the road, but someone coming the other way speeds into the water making a big wave that goes right over your car. I’ll bet that even with your doors and windows securely shut and your windscreen wipers going, you still duck! It’s a natural reaction because you see the big wave coming your way and try to dodge it so you don’t get wet – even though you’re protected!

Back to the picture… if you see the arrow speeding towards you, it’s very hard not to receive it!

There is a “positive thinking” saying: What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. In a positive context, this is how many world class entrepreneurs, scientists and athletes – to name but a few – got to where they are; because they visualised their goal in their minds and then consistently behaved in a manner that would support and realise those goals. This shows us how powerful our thoughts really are!

The mind is also capable of pessimism, doubt and negative thinking, and where this becomes our normal daily mode, can make us ill and depressed, stealing our lives from right under our noses…

If we believe that God’s plans are to prosper and not to harm us and that Jesus came that we should have life in abundance we need to know that this is achieved by keeping our thoughts fixed on the one in whom that life is found.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

That battle rages all around us, but the biggest one is the battle for our minds, for what we believe dictates how we behave. Stay close to Jesus, keep your eyes on him and, if you feel a sting where you have been hit by a stray arrow, DO NOT RECEIVE IT!

A few days ago I was sitting in the living room with the dog when my son pulled into the drive. I knew it was him as my other two were at cricket and he was due home from work. The dog barked and jumped up to look out of the window, as he always does when one of our cars comes onto the gravel. I then heard a noise I didn’t recognise that was like a dull thump and, after processing it for a moment, I thought he must have driven into the wall! I hurried to the front door, upon which my son was now urgently knocking!

I opened the door to see his forlorn face…

“Mum, I’m so, so sorry…” he said, over and over again.

It turned out it was not the house he’d driven into but my car! He didn’t see it (though it was parked in just the same place as usual) and reversed straight into it. The driver’s door had a very crinkled indent and had dropped a bit so it didn’t quite shut properly at the top. Praise the Lord it still opened and closed and locked ok!

The funny thing though, was that I felt completely calm and inert, as though nothing had even happened! All I could see was the shocked face of my little boy saying, “Mum, I’m so sorry!” and I just wanted to hug him!

As I thought about this later, and marvelled at my lack of anger, annoyance or indeed ANY negative emotion I thought… this is how Father God sees his children. Sometimes we mess up, do silly things, or even wilful and rebellious things at times, but when we run to him crying out, “Father, I’m so sorry…” all he feels for us is love. He doesn’t condemn us or feel anger towards us. Sometimes, of course, there are consequences in this realm, but his love towards us remains the same.

My son’s consequence is that he has to pay for my car to be fixed – but he is still my son and I still love him!

We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone. It’s a free gift that we cannot earn – we just need to receive it because there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Our performance may often be imperfect but our position is secure. Once born into God’s family, we cannot be unborn! He is always our Father. That’s why it’s called Amazing Grace!

I think this is probably one of the clearest sermons on the subject that I’ve ever heard. Highly recommended!

This is a really helpful, biblically based video. Do you know where you’ll be spending eternity?

I may offend a few people with what I’m about to say, and I do apologise as I have no wish to upset brothers and sisters in Christ or cause an argument. I just wanted to say a few things about the established church and perhaps think about it in the context of the early church and its purpose, as described in the bible.

I’ve been saved for 25 years and have spent all of that time (until recently) in the Anglican Church, though I’m not sure why as I’ve never really been an Anglican at heart. (I think I’m too much of a rebel!)

I believe that everything we need to know about the Christian life and how to live it is in the bible!

So, NOT Easter (as such, with all its traditions – it’s pagan) but death and resurrection to new life – a statement of what it is to be a Christian if ever there was one! And the Passover has huge relevance to Christians, though this is rarely taught.

NOT all the hype surrounding Christmas, but a simple remembrance of how and why the Christ child was born – whatever time of the year that actually was!

NOT a special ceremony of “the Eucharist” for the favoured few who are both water baptised AND confirmed into the Anglican Church (Really??! Sounds more like a club membership to me!) but a power filled act of remembrance for ALL who truly believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, was fully God and fully man, who came to pay the penalty for our sin, was crucified, died and was buried, was raised to life on the third day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father where he intercedes for us!

It was his blood sacrifice that made the new covenant with God the Father, paid the penalty for our sin once for all and left the veil permanently torn so we may forever be in the presence of God; and his body was broken so ours could be healthy, for by his stripes (the brutally torn flesh on his back) we ARE (perpetually) healed (and in health)! THAT is why so many believers are sick or have “fallen asleep”, because they do not understand the power that the communion bread and wine has in the fallen-ness of this world. Jesus reversed the curse!

[ 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 NIV
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. [30] That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.]

So… a bit before Christmas 2018, I started to feel uncomfortable and that I needed to just leave the church, though I hung on for quite some time before I had to let go because there were many people there that I loved, so it was a painful parting. But all that kept going through my mind was “Come out of her, come out of her.” I was reminded of Revelation 18.

[Revelation 18:4-5 NIV
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; [5] for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.]

When you look at the two main Christian denominations, Catholics and Anglicans (who only broke away from Catholicism so a king could get a divorce!) and think about some of the awful things that have been done in the name of the church (though not in the name of Christ!) over many centuries, and how man made traditions have been allowed to overtake the simplicity of the gospel of grace and make it a lukewarm mixture of grace AND works, you have to wonder if, in this passage, Babylon could be referring to the established church!

I do feel that the Church of England as an organisation, has lost its way, focuses too much on tradition, rules and regulations (if you know what a faculty is, you’ll get my drift!) is becoming liberal and PC in many areas and not keeping its focus on sharing the gospel message of salvation in Christ alone.

The “Church” has a simple mission – to make disciples! It does not need to be politically correct, people pleasing, bogged down in red tape or spending all its energy designing “events to serve the local community”. By making disciples, each one can then serve where the Lord puts us, ” to do the works PREPARED IN ADVANCE for us to do”. The works prepared by God, not man, because he knows where we can be put to the best use!

[Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.]

At prayer a couple of years ago, I had a vivid picture of a large banner suspended across the front of the building. It said,

DON’T COME TO CHURCH!
The Church is already amongst you.

And really, that’s what it’s about. It’s what it’s always been about. Not rules, not traditions of man, not pomp and circumstance, but simply believing in the Lord who sends us OUT, with his authority, to gather the harvest.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ok, so I’ve been thinking about this a lot. To post, or not to post…

I’m not much of an evangelist as such, though all Christians are called to give a reason for their hope when asked. I’m certainly not ashamed of the gospel and people who know me, even a bit, soon find out I’m a straightforward, “see things in black and white” kind of a person who loves the Lord and loves to talk about him.

The people I find it hardest to talk to though, are those who are really close, know exactly what I believe, but who never ask anything or want to talk about faith issues. Because I love and respect them, I don’t push it, however I now feel such a sense of urgency that I must say something to them and to anyone else reading this!

Since I was a young teenager, not saved, but nonetheless believing in the existence of God, I had the strongest sense that “the world as we know it would end in my lifetime”. The years passed and in my 30s I became aware of the purpose of the cross. I had never quite understood how Jesus came into the “God” equation because, up to that point, no one had explained it to me!

I remember the moment I surrendered to him and totally put my trust in him and it was as though a fountain of joy had turned on in my middle and was gushing out through my face! I couldn’t stop smiling for days! I was in love!

I was blessed to be taught and mentored by strong women of God and found myself moving into the areas of prophecy, prayer and worship, then latterly teaching, but I have always been drawn to eschatology – the end times. I see now that even as a teenager the Lord knew me (though I didn’t yet know him) and he knew the journey I would make through life and the person I would become!

I look at the state of the world now and I feel the end, as they say, is nigh. More than nigh, it is here, right at the door! Time is so short!

Christians talk about the rapture of the saints – the harpazo, the catching away of the church, just before the end…

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 ESV
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep (i.e. die), but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 ESV
For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

… and after that, there’s the tribulation! Trouble like you’ve never even imagined.

I know the rapture is steeped in controversy, however I’m not here to discuss the nitty gritty of it. My challenge to you is this… if it IS true and suddenly millions of professing Christians around the world simply disappear into thin air. Gone. And the world goes mad… destruction, fear, sorrow, anger. All the babies and young children are gone, there will be anarchy, looting, mob rule, natural distasters of epic proportions… and I knew it was coming, but I never told you, for fear of offending you. Would you not be MORE offended that I didn’t tell you?? Would you wish that I had told you how to be saved from the end of the world as we know it?

I’m telling you now, don’t wait, don’t stop to think about it… there’s no time.

A. Admit you’re a sinner in need of a saviour.

B. Believe that Jesus is Lord, was born of a virgin, the only begotten son of the Father, died on the cross to pay for all your sins and was raised to life again on the third day.

C. Call on the name of the Lord.

Romans 10:13 ESV
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I pray that if you read this, whoever you may be, and you have not put your faith in Jesus, the ONLY one who can save you, that you do so now. I’m not much of an evangelist, as I said, but I see the storm is coming and, with all my heart, I implore you to get on the ark and be saved, while you still can.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Proverbs 4:1-2

My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Proverbs 4:20-23

If we didn’t know that the word gives life, proverbs 4 makes it very clear! Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Notice that the proverb didn’t just say to guard your mind, though that is part of the outcome of guarding your “heart” (the essence of who we are as a body, with mind and spirit). If guarding our heart, guards our mind and thoughts, does it therefore also guard our body…? Something to ponder on!

The psalmist says: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11. Sin separates man from God. If people read the bible, keep their minds free from worldly distractions and live good lives, would that bring forth springs of life? No! Only a revelation of Jesus, the word made flesh, can do that! With the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, the word takes root (see Mark 4; The parable of the sower). We cannot save ourselves through self-effort or good works! Only Jesus can give life. He saves us – by grace, through faith.

The bible, both old and new testament, is full of references to Jesus; prophecies, parallels in other bible characters’ lives, poetic and symbolic pictures. When the risen Jesus walked with two of his followers on the road to Emmaus, they did not recognise him. It was not until he had spoken of himself in the scriptures, and then broke bread with them, that they realised who he was and said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” See Luke 24

Jesus may not be present in body now, but our hearts should burn within us when he is revealed anew in the word, as we read, listen, study. He is the way, the truth and the LIFE!

As Christians, we are still human – in the world, but not of the world – so the consequences of the fall will still have their effect on us. Yet Jesus tells his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Therefore, our hope is not in humanity, in nature, in technology, in medicine, in having a good education or a well-paying job. All these things will pass away… “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35. Our hope – our ONLY hope – is in the finished work of Jesus.

John 16:33 is preceded by Jesus saying he has told his disciples what is to come so that IN HIM they may have peace! The Hebrew word shalom, which translates as simply “peace” means so much more… safety, wholeness, health, provision, prosperity, rest… In new testament context, peace (eiréné) also encompasses the reconciliation of all things to God through Jesus. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Col 1:19-20

We know that stress is the opposite of peace. Even doctors say that stress can damage our bodies and minds. It causes dis-ease! But where stress is the cause of affliction, God’s peace is the remedy, and is found again and again in God’s word.

So… “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests 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 right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.”

Take time to meditate on these things… be refreshed, restored and at peace.

Thank you Father that Jesus IS the Word and that he gives me life in abundance.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

When Jesus had spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness, the devil came to him and tempted him (see Matthew 4). The devil spoke to him saying, “IF you are the son of God…” He knew very well that Jesus WAS the son of God, but his tactic was to try to cast doubt on his authority. Jesus responded by saying, “It is written…” and then rebuked him using scripture.

He had tried the same tactic with Eve… ‘Did God REALLY say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ Of course, the answer was no, they could eat from every tree, except one; but even though she answered him correctly, Satan still caused her to lose sight of the truth of God’s goodness by implying that he was withholding something from her. His objective is to cause US to lose sight of the truth too – even though we have everything we need in Christ. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence… 2 Peter 1:3.

We live in a fallen world, we face the consequences of that daily, however we have spiritual armour to protect us. Every piece of the armour is also an aspect of Jesus which saves us. (See Eph 6) The helmet – salvation; the breastplate – righteousness; the belt – truth; the shoes – peace; the shield – faith. The sword, however, is offensive and we use it to fight and defend ourselves. It is the word of God! We are also told to pray in the spirit and be alert!

Another reference to being alert is this: “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith…” 1 Pet 5:8-9. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. As we’ve seen, the devil knows how to deceive and twist the truth. He will roar like a lion, but he’s a counterfeit. Do not listen to him and you will not be devoured!

When we know the truth, it WILL set us free! How do we fight against the schemes of the enemy? By knowing the word of God. Paul says, “…I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Cor 2:10-11) One of his schemes is to convince you that an offence against you is unforgiveable. Unforgiveness is like rust – it takes away our shine and eventually eats away at our very core. In the Lord’s prayer, we ask Father God to forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Since all our sins are already forgiven in Christ, why do we ask God to forgive our sins again? I believe it’s to remind us of the magnitude of what we have been forgiven so we have the will to forgive others. (He who is forgiven much, loves much. See Luke 7) Unforgiveness allows a root of bitterness to take hold in our lives and places an obstacle between us and God’s grace.

When something or someone comes against you, the way to respond is to pray using scripture. Remind the enemy of who you are and what you have in Christ. It is written: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD. Is 54:17

Take time to meditate on Psalm 23 and appreciate all that the Lord is, and gives, to us. Know it by heart, meditate on it whenever the enemy tells you that you are not worthy, not loved, or that no one is going to save you from your plight! God’s word is truth – stand on it!

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Father I thank you that your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I will not stumble or fall when your word illuminates my way.