Weeks 19 & 20 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

The UK House of Parliament along the River Thames is not only an internationally renowned iconic landmark, it is also one of the greatest institutions in history. It is a symbol of democracy and a shining model greatly admired by the free world. But in the past 2 weeks, revelations of Members of Parliament expenses claims published in a local newspaper the Daily Telegraph have more than thrown up a scandal.

It has always been a huge honour to be elected a Member of Parliament since its inception in 1295. Members are referred to as “honourable” gentlemen and “honourable” ladies. However, that image was badly tarnished when the revealed expenses claims include ones for clearing a moat, maintaining swimming pools, a £1,645 "duck island" and a claim to fit mock Tudor beams to the front of a house. One MP claimed for a house that was neither in London, nor her constituency. Two MPs continued to claim for mortgage interest payments, after the mortgages had been paid off. Claims for small items have also been ridiculed - including a trouser press, a bath plug and some Hob Nob biscuits.

No doubt the esteemed Institution is shaken to its core and the House is literally in deep water. Political Party Leaders were quick to condemn their respective offending or guilty members and agreed measures to clean up the system. They came to the conclusion that self-regulation does not work, even for “honourable” members.

I believe it is a wake-up call for all who aspire to the high calling of public servant-hood. I am particularly conscious of my own calling as a servant of God. It is one viewed not from self but God perspective.

God’s Word in [Rom 3:23] says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and in [Ps 51:4] “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.” How true!

I believe men will continue to struggle to do the right things consistently in this fallen world. Our only hope is to know that God alone is always righteous and just and He will judge the world and all in it. God is right when He says that “Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men? No, in your heart you devise injustice…… the wicked will be swept away. The righteous will be glad when they are avenged…….Then men will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth." [Ps 58:1-11 NIV]. The question is “what should be our response to a righteous and just God?”

At the beginning of King Solomon reign, He revered and worshipped the true God. His offered up on the altar tens of thousands of cattle at a time. “Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the LORD: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats……..On that same day the king consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the LORD, and there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings. So Solomon observed the festival at that time, and all Israel with him-- a vast assembly…… They celebrated it before the LORD our God for seven days and seven days more, fourteen days in all. On the following day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the LORD had done for his servant David and his people Israel. [IKing 8:62-66 NIV] But his love for foreign women led him to sin against God when he worshipped the gods of his many wives!

Jesus says that “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."……… You judge by human standards……….But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me………I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me......."You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world………I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world……..When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." [John 8:12-30 NIV] When we walk in Jesus, we walk in the light and guided by the light. Our chances of falling are minimised.

Coming back to the issue of honour. In God’s perspective, “a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold……A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. …….He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. [Prov 22:1,3,9,11 NIV]

Amen!

Weeks 17 & 18 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I spent last weekend with Kim in Utrecht speaking in a Bible seminar organized by Hope Utrecht. It always gives me great pleasure to see Albert and his dear wife Claire and their lovely children.

Albert is one of the early church planters in Europe. If God were to give an award for the most persevering church planter ever lived, Albert would win it. His church had been 3 people for a long time, yet he never gave up, when most people would.

We met in a very nice conference centre in Utrecht. Some 14 people attended. I spoke on the issue of Faith based on Hebrew 11, a topic I believe is vitally important as we get closer to the Day. We will see greater deception that even the elect will be deceived [Matt. 24:24].

I touched on Ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair converted to Catholic and started an All-Faith Foundation. The Pope has just made a trip to Israel to proclaim peace in the Holy Land. More and more influential figures are putting their weight behind an All-Faith world which will eventually lead to One World Religion, all in the name of peace.

In the Seminar, a Hungarian man also attended. I actually met him last year in a similar setting. This time I had more time to talk to him. He was clearly a highly intelligent man, teaching in a number of universities in Utrecht and Geneva on learning strategies. He boasted that he could learn a language in a matter of days. He believed that the world would be a better place if everyone would be eager to gain knowledge like him. This is nothing new. Since Adam’s time, man has been looking for gaining knowledge and wisdom [1 Cor. 1:22], but knowledge without the knowledge of God would cause men to be proud and reject the true God [1 Cor. 8:1-3].

At the end of the seminar he came to talk to me and informed me that everything could now be explained scientifically or mathematically including the existence of God, the origin of mankind etc… I told him that Faith to me meant that I would not believe anything that contradicted the Word of God. I think my “stubbornness” had shaken his “faith” a little bit. :o)

Yes, sadly, “the fool says in his heart, "There is no God." ….. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one……!” [Ps 53:1-6 NIV]

God is the source of our everything, including wisdom. When King Solomon asked God for wisdom to govern the people well, God granted his request. “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt…….He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. [I King 4:29-34 NIV].

Indeed, “a man can receive only what is given him from heaven…….The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." [John 3:27-36 NIV]

We need God's wisdom in building His house successfully. “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say. [Prov 24:3-7 NIV]

Amen!