Faith needs an Object               Word on the Week          13^th February 2021.

The object in these parts is the national Rugby team!   Without four of their outstanding players as a result of injury or misdemeanour they go to face the French this weekend.   Supporters require a lot of faith to believe they will win!

The object of their faith is quite clear.   It may be misguided but what are supporters there for if they do not show faith?    There was a slogan which appeared in a Guinness advert which enigmatically said “Believe in Better”.   In this case the product was so well known that the owners could indulge in a nonsense phrase with a positive tone to it!

‘Keep the Faith’ is an expression associated with a religion so well known that those using it can omit the object and be perfectly understood.   Faith in this case is assumed to be the whole body of doctrine.    It often was directed at me during my working life and in an effort to supply the object I would add ‘in Jesus’ to the slogan.   Sadly, I have little evidence that I was understood!

Perhaps the most quoted portion of the Apostle James’s book is in Chapter 2.   It is the ‘dead’ faith which didn’t produce good works and is mentioned in verse 14.   James is looking for something more than mental assent.   He wants to see obedience. He then cites Abraham’s offering of his son on the altar as Abraham carried out God’s instructions to the letter Verses 21 to 23). In doing so he raises the bar to its highest level.   Little wonder God credited righteousness to Abraham – the ‘Man of Faith’.

Of course faith does not come naturally to us.  It’s not the normal way we live Doubt comes naturally.   Unbelief can take us by surprise!   Worry comes with the territory we inhabit.   But faith, apart from our time of infancy, is not where we are at.

Nor is it something we can obtain if we put our mind to it.   Like the determination to ride a two wheeled bike!   Faith in Christ is how we see Jesus.   To be working at its best it should not be added to by ceremony other than prayer.    It is its object – Jesus – who is all important.  We walk by faith (2 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 7).

But to be able to walk we need to receive the gift of faith.   This comes from God and is by his grace not by our merit.   This means that every person who receives this gift is a special work of God.   His Spirit will show you what tasks he has for your short time on earth (Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 8 to 10).

Have faith in God (St Mark Chapter 11 verse 22).

Behemoth                         Word on the Week                     6^th February 2021.

There are a number of human Behemoth’s flourishing financially in today’s world (Job Chapter 40 verses 15 to 24).   They go by names like ‘Amazon’, ‘Apple’ or ‘Google’ etc. and, like the Biblical Behemoth are known for their size and strength.  

Perhaps they are more like Leviathan (literally that which twists around) the great mythological serpent (Job Chapter 3 verse 8 and 41 verses 1 to 34).    These companies have grown to have a dominating position.   Their growth is stimulated by recording details of each customer on their data base and using the information to focus advertisers to match the customer’s details.

Just as Leviathan has multiple heads (Psalm 74 verses 12 to 14) these Companies have, with the exception of Facebook, each has had a new chief executive.    The latest to step down it Jeff Bezos of Amazon.   His income is growing at the rate of €160 million per day or €1,850 per second!

Covid has helped Amazon.   It has caused Governments to lockdown whole populations who become dependent on companies like Amazon to supply their needs delivering them to their door.   They are following this up by building large warehouses which they stock with product which they know from their data are what the customer wants.

This all started years ago by selling books!   There has been talk of taxing these companies with a ‘windfall tax’ to redistribute the profits made out of trading during the Covid pandemic.   The difficulty is that they scarcely pay any tax at present as they trade globally and locate their ‘Registered Office’ in the country with the lowest tax.    Like Leviathan they are hard to control!

The Bible speaks of something which is far more precious than the wealth of Amazon and that is our salvation.    It is not money but the life’s blood of the crucified Christ that is the most precious thing on earth.    And it is so because it alone can transform a sinner to a follower of Jesus with a new life on earth and a future inheritance in heaven (1 Peter chapter 1 verses 17 to 21).

Salvation comes in three tenses.   The believer can say “I have believed” recalling the time he first committed his life to Christ.   “I am being saved” recognising that God continues to work in him.   “And I will be saved” looking by faith to the inheritance in heaven.

The Apostle Peter, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, gives us a wonderful summery of this salvation in 1 Peter Chapter 1 verses 3 to 9.  

Amazon may be able to deliver the goods but only Christ can satisfy the heart.

Hate Speech                    Word on the Week                    30^th January 2021.

One of the less endearing things the internet has provided us with is a platform for hate speech.   It provides the opportunity to release your evilest thoughts against your current pet hate with nothing to restrain you.

Of course the internet or more specifically the social media giants which inhabit it did not set out to give a voice to hatred.   Indeed, they employ ‘content moderators’ to sift through the material posted on it and remove what they judge to be offensive.   This ‘self-policing’ is deemed to be inadequate.

Originally in Dublin the Gardaí would listen to Micky Walker preaching in North Earl Street and if he mentioned heaven and hell or dare to refer to Muslims he would end up in the Bridewell to be questioned by the Superintendent!  These were innocent times compared to the present.

Now much hate speech amounts to racism as it is typically directed against the immigrant.   As with the internet there are no effective boundaries in place and anyone who looks or talks differently can be in the recipient of gratuitous swearing or worse.

There is also the conspiracy theory that the immigrants are out to get us!   The thinking by this Dublin version of White Supremacy Movement is that those from overseas will take over the country!   

Minister for Justice has outlined proposals which would make sharing hate speech a criminal offence.   There must be good definitions as no one wants free speech to be curbed.   New legislation is expected by Easter.

Scripture tells us to take note of Israel’s experience and look after the incomer.   Exodus 23 verse 9 reads “You must not oppress a foreign resident; you yourselves know how it feels to be a foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt”.

Where does all the filthy speech come from?   Jesus said it comes from the heart.  From within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person” (St Mark Chapter 7 verses 21 to 23).

No amount of therapy can clean a polluted heart.   It requires God to give you a new heart and put his Spirit within you which will enable you to follow his decrees (Ezekiel Chapter 36 verses 26/7).    This is what Jesus called being born again or born from above (St John Chapter 3 verses 3 to 7).   God never intended you to clean up your mess – bring it to Jesus – He died to clean it up.

Psalm 91                          Word on the Week                     23^rd January 2021.

A long time reader of this blog drew my attention this week to Psalm 91.   It has a relevance to today that is unmissable.   My correspondent said it brought him solace which indeed it must have done for Israel when it was first written.   The first two verses read: – Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”              The Psalmist sees God as his dwelling-place, (as does Jesus; St John Chapter 14 verse 23) using four of his names to address Him.  His security is in one who is high above all other gods and has the power to protect those who rest and trust in Him.

Verses 3 to 8 are addressed personally to those who sing or recite the psalm.   They describe vividly disasters that we are familiar with today and again calls upon the people not to fear and assures them of his protection.            

Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.                                              Verses 5 to 8 (not qouted) possibly refer back to the plagues in Egypt.   Verses 7 reads like the nightly news bulletins as the numbers of fatalities rise around the globe.    Verses 11 to 13 (below) are quoted in the New Testament.     If you say,

“The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways; (Words omitted by Satan in Matthew Chapter 4:6)
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

The Psalm ends

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honour him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”                                                                             These are glorious promises to embrace as we enter 2021.

The Jag                            Word on the Week                     16^th January 2021.

This has been a week where the rising tide of Covid cases was met with the first large scale vaccinations which are to grant immunity to the recipient.   The hope of the scientists is that it will turn the tide and eventually see off the virus.

Like other viruses of its kind it has re-invented itself.   The original Covid–19 has spawned Covid B117 which appeared first in the UK and spread rapidly in the South East of England.   Another variant seems to have originated in South Africa where it has had a field day amongst the densely populated townships.   It too has found its way to these Islands.   Each new variant seems to be more contagious than the last.

The symptoms which marked out Covid from the Flu no longer can be relied upon.   In fact, it seems now anything goes.   Blocked sinuses, headache, constant clearing of the throat and a general tiredness are some of the latest signs.   But more sinister is the problem of the carrier who shows no symptoms at all and is only detected when reported as a contact of someone who has the disease.

Covid has concentrated the minds of immunologists everywhere.   As a result, we have 3 or 4 vaccines on the market.   Apparently the research work was done with maximum co-operation by the countries involved.   This is fitting for a global pandemic.   Russia and China appear to have chosen to go their own way.    Their vaccines may well prove to be superior to the vaccines made in the West.   At present there seems to be little evidence other than political point scoring and heavily shepherded visits where these have been permitted.

The best known Biblical plagues are the 10 God created in Egypt.   They were meant to show God’s power to his captive people and His authority over the Egyptians and their science, the magicians of Egypt.   The plagues fell on these areas of life which were supposed to be protected by Egyptian gods.    They form three groups of three with the 10^th plague, the death of the firstborn being decisive in obtaining the Israelites freedom.

In parallel with the death of the firstborn in Egypt was the death of a lamb on behalf of every Israelite household.   The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the two doorposts and the lintel to ensure the safety of those sheltering within.   This along with certain other requirements inaugurated the first of the annual Passover feasts (Exodus chapter 12 verse 13).

The last Passover feast became the last supper where Jesus explained that his imminent death was to fulfil all that the former pointed to (1 Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 6b).    Jesus has completed what was necessary for our salvation.  We have the easier task by faith to follow Him.

Governance                                Word on the Week          9^th January 2021.

It only happened once.   I was invited to allow my name to go forward to become a town counsellor!   It’s not that I had ever been conspicuous in local politics, quite the opposite, and so took refuge in St Paul’s advice to his young prodigy in his second letter to Timothy.   “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” (Chapter 2 verse 4).

My nominator was to have been the Rev Murdo McLeod who pastored a church which he had founded after his conversion to Christ.   He had been working in an English industrial town 300 miles from home and was on the upper deck of a bus which was taking him to his lodgings after the day’s work.   The bus stopped at traffic lights and an open air preacher’s voice penetrated the noise of the traffic to reach Murdo’s ears.

The preacher was urging people to turn the Lord and quoted the verse “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans Chapter 10 verse 13).   Murdo had learned the verse a long time ago at his mother’s knee but it came to him afresh and he was converted.   He heard and obeyed.

Because Christian conversion is a life-changing event which, among other things, enables the convert to see people in all their needs.   The desire to do something about these needs can be expressed in many ways.   The one which backfired this week in Washington arose when Christ controlling influence is usurped by something which could be called “The Cause”.

This Cause reads Scripture through the lens of its chief exponents.   Their interpretation of the Word, which seems so right, is not rigorously tested but accepted as truth.

The problem is deep seated.   Once having made ‘The Cause’ omnipotent it requires something akin to re-conversion to restore Christ’s pre-eminence.

I saw it in my parents love for Winston Churchill.   He had been the great wartime leader and because he had “won the war” was given the accolade of infallibility!    Alas disillusionment was slow to come. It is so hard to see your hero in a different light.

There is one hero who grows bigger until he becomes all encompassing.  And He is the one who must have the pre-eminence.   For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 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.   Jesus in Colossians Chapter 1 verses 16/20.

‘Happy New Lockdown’             Word on the Week          2^nd January 2021.

Welcome to the Republic of Covid.   You don’t want to be here?   Sadly, you have no choice.   If you are a citizen of earth, then you are included.   This is a fact which we need to understand.    2021 has picked up where 2020 left off but at a faster pace.

This Republic of Covid which we now inhabit has its own rules.   We are on level 5 at present.   There is no level 6!    The government has produced a 60-page Resilience and Recovery 2020 – 2021 Plan for Living with Covid-19     (see gov.ie Covid 19) on your computer.

As always during Lockdown it is necessary to pay attention to one’s health.  The Local Authorities have a programme of wellbeing activities and initiatives with the support of Sláintecare through the Healthy Ireland fund.

The problem is restrictions to movement and socialising imposed by the Lockdown rules operate against much physical activity and any mixing with friends.    With visitors to home or garden forbidden and social distancing of 2 meters required normal conversation is difficult even when you can hear what the other is saying through the face mask!

Fortunately, the Lockdown will have a time limit.   This is currently set at 4 weeks.  In addition, the arrival of a vaccine to tackle the virus gives hope for the future.   Some of us get the flu jag annually and this virus, when tamed, could become part of the immunisation system.

When the Israelites were in exile in Babylon their captors, knowing their ability to sing, asked them to sing the songs of Zion.   How can we sing in a strange land was their reply? (Psalm 137 verses 1 to 6).  The Republic of Covid is also a strange land where we find ourselves.   The Israelites consoled themselves with the thought of being restored to Jerusalem as had been promised at the end of 70 year’s exile.

The promises we have are much better.   If you are a follower of Jesus He has promised never to leave us (Deuteronomy Chapter 31 verse 6 & St Matthew Chapter 28 verse 20).   He is with us and will overcome our fears.

There was fear in Babylon also.  For these fears Isaiah was given the good news of a Redeemer – God Himself – “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah Chapter 41 verse 1).

And we have been promised a new song to sing “Worthy are you (Jesus) to take the scroll and open the seals for you were slain and by your blood you redeemed people for God” (Revelation Chapter 5 verse9).

Let us take the Republic of Covid for Christ! 

Behold the Image            Word on the Week          19^th December 2020.

God’s unquenchable love for man was guaranteed from the start.   That the love should have been reciprocal but was not has been highlighted in man’s fall.   The image of God so lovingly made self-destructs in Eden (Genesis Chapter 1 verse 27 & Chapter 3 verse 15).

The exile from Eden invoked the curse.   It fell on the ground.   Unremitting toil replaced self-propagation.   By the sweat of his brow Adam now toiled.   This was sweetened by God’s promise that one day Satan’s head would be crushed – a mortal blow while the Serpent-crusher would himself be wounded (Genesis Chapter 3 verses 17/19 &15).

God’s love for Abraham produced the wonderful act of obedience whereby Isaac was, figuratively speaking, was received back from the dead Hebrews Chapter 11 verses 18/19).   The promises to Abraham of becoming a great nation and a blessing to all people are being fulfilled today in the proclamation of the gospel (Genesis Chapter 12 verses 2/3).

Throughout the Old Testament there was a search for the one who would be the Serpent-crusher or ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew or ‘the Christ’ in Greek.   Surprisingly it was to Mary, a Galilean peasant, that the angel was sent bypassing the authorities and religious men of Israel.   The image of God was to appear, not in the Temple, but in a virgin’s womb.   God had found someone of a humble and contrite spirit (Isaiah 66 verse 2).

The angel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was to have a child in her old age.   It was to Elizabeth that Mary went to live for three months and when they met, the Holy Spirit who had come upon Mary, filled Elizabeth also.   It was then that she understood that Mary was the “mother of my Lord”.  

Mary was inspired to put her feelings into a song to God her saviour. (St Luke Chapter 1 verses 39 to 56).    The image in the womb soon became the image in the manger and the visit of shepherds brought the confirming message of the angels “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (St Luke Chapter 2 verse 11).

“Who is He in yonder stall at whose feet the shepherds fall?” is the question! Hebrews provides the answer –  Chapter 1 verse 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature,   and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.  After making            purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 

He is the incomparable Christ.

My Way                           Word on the Week                     12^th December 2020

The week of Brexit negotiations which have continued in stalemate could be summed up by the title of the song the presenter signed off with on breakfast radio today!   In fact, both the EU and the UK negotiators could have sung it. The duet is the only thing they have in common.  Each side wanted to have their way. 

Of course they would not have rivalled Frank Sinatra.   Ol’ Blue Eyes made it his own.   It exceeds the ever popular “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” which will no doubt be sung at regular intervals over the next couple of weeks.    With global warming there is little chance of the dream being realised!

There also seems to be little chance of Boris Johnson’s “Let’s get Brexit Done” coming to fruition as the three sticking points, which have been present all through the 4.5 years of bargaining, remain unreconciled.    Trust is in short supply.   Sovereignty, a word which has seldom been used, now looms large. It helps to disguise the smallness and dependence of the UK on its need to trade with the EC post Brexit.

“And now the end is near, I face the final curtain” the opening line of “My Way” could perhaps be applied to the negotiators.   In the song the singer reviews his life.   In his view he has done some good things and some not so good but what makes it right for him is that he did it ‘my way’.   It is of course the atheist’s anthem.    Man has become the measure of all things.

The Bible offers a different measure.   The Apostle Paul follows Christ with single mindedness (Philippians Chapter 3 verses 7 to 14).   He bids us do likewise.    He describes those others as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their mind is on earthly things.   There is not the love of neighbour that reciprocates love in others and makes agreement possible.  

When the sovereignty of man clashes with an equal and opposite sovereignty it can only end in deadlock.  On the other hand, if the sovereignty of God is embraced the common good overcomes greed and trust is the hand that signs the agreement.    My way becomes Thy way (St John chapter 14 verse 6).

There is an old song which speaks of a better way: –

Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way.                                           Thou art the potter I am the clay.                                                                   Mould me and make me after thy will,                                                          While I am waiting yielded and still.

So I went down to the potter’s house, …Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand.    (Jeremiah Chapter 18 verses 3 to 6.)

End Game                        Word on the Week                     6^th December 2020.

Chess problems have their own attraction especially when there are no other chess players around.    Those in the daily paper always hinge on an unexpected move which inexorably leads to victory.    There is no way for your opponent to escape defeat.    The result is inevitable!    And it all comes down to that inspired move.

I don’t know if Boris Johnson is a chess player but he could do with a good move if he is to come away from his phone call with Ursula von der Leyen unscathed!    The pieces on the board have been locked for some time with neither the black nor white getting the upper hand.    “Taking back control” comes down to his next move.

But Boris is notoriously indecisive.    He may try to convince Ursula that she must make the next move!  It’s a choice neither of them would want to make.   Ursula’s ‘queen’ does not retire until the end of the month whereas Boris’s ‘Queen’ prefers the distant supportive role.   It may come down to the fishermen who are the pawns in the game!

The man who set up the chessboard, Nigel Farage, gleefully looks on.   His latest tweet to his erstwhile partner in the game is scarcely the encouragement that Boris so badly needs.  He tweeted “This really is Boris Johnston’s moment of truth”.    Instead of being the White Knight, Nigel, it seems, is only a Rook that twitters!

There was a moment of decision for the Disciples of Jesus.   They too had reached the end game with their Leader crucified.     He had told them this would happen but they were more interested in making their own moves than to pay much attention!    Now it had happened.   Checkmate seemed inevitable.    They seemed left behind to pick up the pieces!    Then it happened!

He appeared!   The master stroke occurred.   He had accomplished salvation.   Sinners now had a substitute who had taken their place.   Dr Luke said the only ‘moment of truth’ that matters had happened. The Holy Spirit had him write: – Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (St Luke Chapter 24 verses 45 to 49).

The Disciples were transformed by the victory and empowered by the Holy Spirit.   Jesus is still making disciples down through the centuries to this day.