April 2020

29/04/2020

Nehemiah 9 v 6 - 37
Confessing (y)our sin

Vers 17 “…But you are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness…”

How many times did the Lord’s people stray from His ordinances and law and He still reached out to them when they would seek Him… again and again?

Not withholding His goodness and blessings, He would provide in their needs even though they would become stubborn and arrogant, rejecting His commandments.

Even when they committed an atrocity by making an idol in the form of a calf, He did not forsake them. He led them to the “promised land” and still they rebelled against Him. Once again He delivered them from the hand of their oppressors when they cried for help.

This would go on and on and still the Lord would not forsake them. Each time God has dealt faithfully, but they have acted wickedly (v33).

May we learn from their past mistakes and “assemble with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon us”, confessing our transgressions before the Almighty God.

Let’s worship our Lord and Saviour in Spirit and in Truth knowing that He is our deliverer, who has brought us out of slavery, out of this world and our sinful nature.

If we abide in Him, He will (continue) to abide in us.

Amen.

12/04/2020

1 Cor 15 v 1 – 58

The Resurrection
What is it (really) about the resurrection of Jesus that so many do not believe he was raised from the dead?
Like Paul says in verse 32; “If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE!”

For this reason, if Christ, who is the “first fruits of those who are asleep”, was in fact not raised from the dead as has been preached, our faith is worthless, we hope in vain and those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

As believers we have the assurance that His resurrection and appearance to many after his death, is consistent with old testament scriptures, eyewitness accounts as well as claims by Jesus Himself, that He would be raised on the third day.

This is now where the supernatural and mystery of the resurrection comes into play and it seems not to be a lack on the part of intellect, but a matter of the heart not wanting to believe.

Therefore, “if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Amen

11/04/2020

Luke 23 v 33 - 49

The Crucifixion
v34: But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

v43: And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise.”

v46: And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.”