Winter Solstice

 The 21^st June has come and gone in my home country of Australia and with it the shortest day in the year, the winter solstice. Its principle meaning for me is that it’s the birthday of a much loved niece. However to others in this country it has a far different and sinister meaning.

The winter solstice in some parts is used as an excuse to celebrate pagan festivals and rituals. It seems that the time of year can be intrinsically linked to dark arts. In Tasmania a festival is centred around celebrating pagan mysticism. A much-publicised event on the calendar is a massed nude dawn swim in the icy waters of the Derwent River at Hobart.

A cursory look at the events listed in this festival program include many items which appear quite harmless- food and drink outlets, concert groups. However, the program also includes many featured acts which carry a warning – attendees may be subject to see nudity, “adult themes” (whatever that may be) distressing content, taxidermy – and if upset one is to seek assistance from an usher. A “mass” was advertised, “location undisclosed” (and sold out).

One of the saddest things in a fallen world is that some people find such things attractive. Perhaps they are searching for spiritual values. Maybe the idea of rebelling against social norms is appealing. Maybe they are just looking for any opportunity for companionship and a good time.

There are a few common denominators to such events. They invoke the occult, the domain of Satan. They encourage the breakdown of normal social inhibitions e.g. by removing clothing. They mock traditional social values and in many cases they mock Christianity.

Through these events vulnerable people can be targeted and lured into more serious occult practices involving sexual activity, cruelty to animals and in some cases extreme cruelty to humans.

We should not be surprised at such things. “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” 2 Cor 11:14. Things can seem attractive yet the intention is to draw people away from Godly living. “

 “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.” Proverbs 14:12,13

There’s an old country saying that goes: don’t remove a fence until you know what it’s there for. God has given moral instruction to uphold our human dignity and worth. He is the most perfect loving heavenly Father. He imbues His children with His Holy Spirit to guide and caution. Satan on the other hand has only one aim for humanity and that is destruction and death.

The realm of demonic activity which is entered through occult practices is very often unknown or underestimated by those who engage in them, even seemingly trivial practices such as tarot cards and fortune tellers. As Bible believing Christians we know that the bible is full of warnings against such practices, e.g.

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.  For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12 

 

“So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries

 with which you have wearied yourself from your youth.

Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.

Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up.

They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame.” Isaiah 47: 12-14

 

Basically, the occult is a door into the realm of the demonic which can influence and, in some cases, indwell (i.e. demonic possession). One of Satan’s biggest strategies is to convince the world that he doesn’t exist or that the demonic realm is something to be laughed at. It is real and influential. However, the good news is that Jesus Christ has defeated sin and death:

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15

The Bible assures us of the ultimate end of Satan’s kingdom on earth. Christians are forever on the winning team.

To those who are attracted to pagan festivals, I just say stay away. There are many testimonies of those who have turned from involvement in the occult to faith in Christ. If faced with an unwanted situation beyond your capability to handle, remember to call aloud the name of Jesus Christ.

The winter solstice, like everything else in nature occurs because our Creator God has placed the sun, moon and stars in the sky, affecting the times and seasons of the earth in beautiful orderliness.

“Yahweh, who gives the sun for a light by day,

    and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night,

who stirs up the sea, so that its waves roar;

    Yahweh of Armies is his name “ Jeremiah 31:35

 

 

May the love of God fill you with His peace and joy today.

Reprinted periodically - The Gospel and How do I become a Christian ?

  The Gospel

In the beginning, God, (God the Father, Jesus Christ his only Son and the Holy Spirit), created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, including the first man, Adam and the first woman, Eve. God created humans to live in relationship with Him, but gave them free will to either obey Him or be disobedient. Satan, the devil, whom the Bible identifies as a fallen angel, tempted Eve to sin by disobeying God and she in turn tempted Adam to also disobey God. For their disobedience Adam and Eve were cast away from God’s presence and the wonderful life God had created for them and through them all their descendants were destined to be born sinful.

Yet throughout history there have been men and women who sought after God. Humanity became so depraved that God destroyed the earth with a global flood, but saved Noah and his family. Through Abraham God established the nation of Israel, who would be God’s favoured people. Moses, Abraham’s descendent, led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments and many laws of conduct. Because of the sinful nature of man, these laws were not kept, and a system of animal sacrifices was instituted to make atonement for the sins of the people. However, the people both individually and as a nation continued in a cycle of falling away from God and returning to Him.

During the history of the nation of Israel there were prophets who foretold that a Saviour would be born, to save humanity from its sinfulness. Their prophecies were fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. Jesus is the only Son of God. He was sent to this earth and lived amongst us as a human, without losing His divine nature. In all things Jesus honoured and obeyed His Father, God. During His ministry on earth, Jesus performed many miracles and taught us regarding God’s nature and way of living. He was tempted by Satan but was without sin. He travelled with a group of disciples who were the foundation of the church – God’s people on earth.

In the same way that animals had been sacrificed to make atonement for man’s sin, it was the purpose of God to send Jesus to earth to become a total sacrifice, once and for all time, for fallen humanity. As was His destiny, Jesus was arrested, tried for heresy and crucified on a hill outside Jerusalem called Calvary. At the time of Christ’s death the curtain in the Jewish temple was torn apart, symbolising that the old system of God only being able to be approached by certain people and in certain places, was finished.

Now all could come into right relationship with God through the shed blood of Jesus, by committing their lives to Him in repentance and faith.

The Bible tells us that Jesus descended into hell and has total dominion over Satan and evil. On the third day Christ rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples and many others on earth. He gave his disciples the “great commission” to go into all nations and preach the gospel. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.

After Jesus ascended to heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit to the earth at Pentecost (ten days after Jesus’ ascension). The Holy Spirit is not only alive in the world, but indwells in those who have committed themselves wholly to God and gives such attributes as comfort, counsel, power and discernment. God's temple is now not a building, but the people in whom His spirit dwells. In the same way the church is not a building but the body of Christian believers on earth.

The Bible tells of spiritual battles between good and evil in both earthly and heavenly realms. It includes indications of great tribulation yet to come. We are told that Christ will return to this earth, the second coming, when He will defeat the evil forces raging in the world and will judge the living and the dead.

We who have committed our lives to Christ still struggle in our humanity with temptation to sin, and must choose daily to live in obedience to His will. We grow in our faith through prayer, study and reflection of God’s word, the Bible; and by meeting regularly in fellowship with other Christians.

All this is a fairly factual summary of some of the content of the Bible. But most of all, our lives as Christians are lives that are transformed. We know a love that surpasses anything. We know a deep joy within our spirits springing from God's Holy Spirit within us. We know a power beyond ourselves which touches others and transforms them too. We have a confidence that even when life is difficult and deeply sad and broken and disappointing, we have a relationship which sustains and comforts and gives us hope. God is faithful and He has the best in store. Christianity is not a killjoy set of rules which will spoil your fun. It's the most fantastic life you could ever hope to imagine....and then some more. The Bible is full of God's promises for your life. 

How do I become a Christian?

The Bible tells us that there is only one way to relationship with God and that is through Jesus Christ:

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

“Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. (John 14:5-6)

To become a Christian, you need to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross to honour God and for the forgiveness of sin and that He rose again and ascended to His Father God.

You also need to admit or confess that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness through Christ. This is known as repentance. Repentance involves confessing that we have done wrong, saying sorry to God and committing to living a life in obedience to God's ways. Becoming a Christian does not make you suddenly perfect. We all still struggle with temptations and failures in this earthly life and continually need God's grace and forgiveness. Repentance does mean that we look to God for wisdom and guidance to resist temptation.

You then need to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Just as a wedding ceremony begins a marriage, so a prayer of confession and faith can begin, but is just the beginning, of a relationship with God. An ongoing relationship includes learning about God through Bible study; baptism, conversations with God through prayer, and encouragement through Christian fellowship in a caring church.

The following is a prayer which could be used to begin this relationship. You may wish to pray it alone, personally, or you may wish to discuss your decision with a Christian friend or pastor first to fully understand:

Dear Heavenly Father God,

I come before You acknowledging You as the only one God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me. Thank You, Father God, for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, honouring You and making a way for sinful people to come back into relationship with You. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. Please forgive my sin and cleanse me I pray. I receive Jesus Christ into my life to be my Lord and Saviour for the rest of my days. May You give me strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to live my life as a Christian. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen

May God bless you with an ever-increasing knowledge of His wonderful presence and endless love as you continue to seek and serve Him.

Ephesians 3:14-20 :

^"For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Another Mother (a story)

 

Where did I go wrong? I loved him, there was no doubt about that, from the first moment that my mother- in -law placed him into my arms. Avi my husband was not best pleased that we were to have another mouth to feed, already being parents to two boys and four girls, one a sickly infant, but the child being a boy made him a little happier. Perhaps he would follow him into the pottery trade and help a little around the workshop as he got older, as his brothers had done.

Ah, how little I knew then of the tears I would cry over my son and the prayers I would offer to God on his behalf. When did his wilful spirit demonstrate itself? Looking back, I remember that from the time he could walk, he wanted to run free, away from me. His sisters and I would chase him through the dusty streets of Jerusalem as he wound his way between fruit vendors and wool merchants, weaving his lithe body between donkeys laden with packs entering the city through the gates in the walls.

I remember a day when I took him to his father’s workshop. Shelves on the walls were filled with platters and cups. Avi sat at the wheel, skilfully turning a dish, his broad hands gently sculpting the wet clay.

“Look at your clever father” I said. “He’s making a dish to eat from. You mustn’t touch.”

Before I knew what was happening, my son had thrown back his head with a defiant grin and poked his fingers straight through the side of the dish. Avi was livid with rage.

“Get him out of here! Don’t you know I have taxes to pay?”

I think that was the beginning of the hostility between my son and his father. Where the other boys were teachable and obedient, this one was defiant. As if life in Jerusalem under the Roman Empire wasn’t hard enough. We had to be unobtrusive, obey the rules, pay the taxes and avoid the soldiers.

I feared for this son of mine. I would always know that my other children stayed close to home, but as he passed from boyhood into manhood, he disappeared more and more, hanging around the inns and taverns, listening to tales from the merchants and travellers of places far away.

There was kindness in him too. We had a donkey and a cage of doves and an old goat and he was the one who spoke to them more than all the others, who changed the straw and made sure they were watered and fed. I never knew him to be unkind to an animal.

People were another matter. He was rude to the elders in the temple. He fought constantly with his father and siblings. He began taking little things from the store holders when they weren’t looking. I knew one day he would walk away from his family and he did.

I prayed for his safety. I even joined a crowd once, hoping to see this miracle Man called Jesus who had powers, we heard, to make the blind see and lame walk. Perhaps if I asked Him, He could help my son but there were so many people there and I was too far away.

 Oh, how I prayed.

For two years we heard nothing. Then one morning there was a tap on the door of our little room and outside stood Samuel, my father’s longtime friend, with a grave look on his face.

“I waited until I knew for certain,” he said “but now there is no doubt. Your son was arrested by the Romans a few days ago for breaking into a centurion’s house and stealing valuables. He was tried today. He is to be crucified on Friday.”

My world fell apart. Those few days were the heaviest of my life. I could not go out on that Friday, could not go near the place of crucifixion, even though I longed to see him one last time. I suppose you could say I was a coward. I sat in the house with my daughters holding my hands until the sun went down. My oldest boy came in.

“It is done” was all he said.

That, however, was not the end of the story.

The next afternoon I received an unexpected visitor. My daughter showed him into the room and he sat next to me on a low stool. Taking my hand, he introduced himself as John, the son of Zebedee.

“Dear woman,” John said, “You have suffered greatly. I am sorry for all that you’ve gone through. I want you to know that I was with your son when he died.”

“You were with him?” I said.

“I was there for my friend and master, Jesus, “John continued. “Jesus was the Son of God, great in power and wisdom. He was without sin, yet He was crucified, in our place, so that when we die we can go to be with God because of Jesus. “

“My son was there with Jesus?”

“Yes, he was there beside Him. I want you to know that in his last moments he spoke to Jesus and asked Jesus to forgive him for his sins. Jesus said to him “Today you will be with me in Paradise.””

I could hardly speak. The tears were coursing down my cheeks. “My son is in Paradise with Jesus” I whispered.

John smiled at me gently, that kind, good man whose face seemed illuminated with light. “You too can know Jesus,’ he said. “Repent and commit your life to God. Jesus has paid the price for your sins too.”

“I want to know Jesus” I said.

“I want to know Jesus too,” said my daughter.

“I want to know Jesus too,” said my son.

 

That was so long ago and now I am an old woman, reminiscing on all that life has brought me, the good times and the terrible days. Through all the years I have grown to know and love Jesus more and more and I trust and believe that one day I will be reunited with my dear son and see our beloved Saviour face to face.

No Place Like Home

1Woe to those who devise iniquity

and plot evil on their beds!

At morning’s light they accomplish it

because the power is in their hands.

2They covet fields and seize them;

they take away houses.

They deprive a man of his home,

a fellow man of his inheritance. Micah 2: 1-2

 

 

I live in Australia, a country which used to be colloquially known as "The Lucky Country". "The Great Australian Dream" was to own your own home. Post World War 2  Australia prospered on its natural resources and life was comfortable for many. With a large land area and small population home ownership was common. A working class family could afford repayments for a quarter acre block with a modest home on it ; repayments which were geared at one quarter of an average monthly wage for one worker. Typically mothers were full time homemakers.

 

Fast forward to 2025 and Australia still has a large land area and a relatively small population. The dream of owning one's own home, however, is far out of reach for many young people.  High rent costs prohibit many from being able to save a sizable deposit needed for a home loan.

 

The high cost of homes has been exacerbated by a growing number of people who buy houses for investment, not to live in but to make money from. People on lower incomes used to be able to buy starter homes or “fixer uppers”. Older people whose families had grown and moved out used to be able to downsize to smaller houses. Now these more modest homes are being snapped up by those who seemingly have a never ending desire to add to their property portfolio and this includes overseas investors.

 

I am neither a financier or economic analyst but I have to think that we have rapidly become a nation of the needy and the greedy. It’s not uncommon now in the capital city in which I live to hear of people living in tents because they can’t afford to pay rent, or even find a place to rent. Displaced families are living in cars. Young people are faced with the depressing prospect of never being able to afford a home that they can call their own.

 

God is not blind to economic injustice. Throughout the Bible there are many scriptures pointing to wise and fair business practices and economic management. God is very concerned for the poor, the widows and orphans, the sick and disabled. I personally think that it breaks God’s heart to see children living in cars and mentally ill people living under bridges with only cardboard to shelter them from the winter cold. Thank God for those volunteers who provide comfort and food and necessities of life to those people.

 

When people think of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah it is often attributed to the immoral sexual practices of those cities, and to some extent that is true. There was yet another reason:

 

 Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy.  Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them, as you have seen.  Ezekiel 16:49,50

 

 

Many of us feel helpless when it comes to the growing disparity between rich and poor in our nations. Where does God and His church fit into all this?  We need to be in prayer for our nation. Pray for our leaders at federal, state and local levels that they would make wise and just decisions. Pray for our corporate giants in finance and industry that they would conduct their business justly.

 

Wherever you are able, advocate for and help those who are in need. In many ways it is Christian charities which are reaching out to the needy. Personally, we can choose to live simply, be content with what we have and be willing to share with those in need.

 

God will bless those nations and individuals who care for those in need.

 

 

 

 

Repentence

 

Sorry

"Sorry"
Is all that you can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry, like sorry                    Tracy Chapman

 

Some people go through their whole lives unable to say “sorry”. Such a small word that can change lives and relationships. What a difference it makes to the whole process of forgiveness.

I firmly believe that Jesus honours those who are willing to humble themselves and make peace. The Bible is full of verses prescribing the course of action when we are wronged.

1 Peter 3:8-4:19

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ...

Proverbs 20:22

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Luke 23:34 

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Colossians 3:13

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Matthew 6:14

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

 

This Easter time, as we remember the terrible suffering of Jesus. He was betrayed, forsaken,  mocked, condemned, scourged and finally crucified. On the cross He bore the sin and suffering of all mankind, an unimaginable burden. He felt forsaken by His Father God.

He could have called legions of angels in His defence, but He didn’t.

He died for those who persecuted and despised Him.

Beside Him were two other crosses. The man on one mocked Jesus. The man on the other admitted that he was a thief, a sinner. Jesus promised this man eternal life with Him in Heaven.

In repentance we come again to the cross, confessing our sin. We lay our cares and heartaches and difficult situations down at the cross, knowing that He bore so much more than we will ever be called upon carry.

Thank You Jesus.

May God bless the readership here this Easter.  

Grace

 

Grace. It’s a beautiful word, one that’s become a popular girl’s name in recent years. The term graceful conjours up images of someone who moves fluidly and easily. A gracious hostess is a lady who is full of consideration for her guests, self-assured and unflappable.

We are told that Mary the mother of Jesus was “full of grace”. When I think of Mary I imagine a woman of great character, strength, humility and with a servant heart.

Biblically, grace refers to a gift to us from God that He offers to every person who turns to Him in repentance and faith :

 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5

 

Grace is one of God’s clearest attributes. He didn’t need to save us from our sins, yet He gave Jesus to be our Saviour, to make a way for fallen humanity to come back into fellowship with Him. He chose to forgive us because of His great love.

Grace is the prerogative of the one who has been sinned against. Imagine if God withheld His grace. We would be under the judgement of sin and death. We are saved because Jesus has already paid that very price on the cross.

The Bible is very clear that because we have been saved through the grace of God, we are to extend grace to those who sin against us. This can be a difficult process depending on the circumstances but herein lies a beautiful truth. God’s grace changes hearts. In the absence of grace, a root of bitterness can grow. In the presence of grace, a field of colourful and fragrant flowers can grow.  Grace, amazingly, when extended is not depleted. It multiplies in the heart. It honours God and brings joy to our heavenly Father.

I love the imagery of the “throne of grace” written in the book of Hebrews. Grace is not a little, insignificant thing but a mighty supporting framework. What a glorious image. We can approach God in prayer through Jesus and know His loving grace:

 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

 

Shedding, like eucalypts, the year's detritus.

 Some Australian Eucalyptus trees shed their bark periodically. To do so allows them to grow and mature, to cleanse their surface of insect infestations and allows a fresh protective layer to develop. 

God in His wonderful creative genius has placed much symbolism for us in nature. I find in this process observed in Eucalyptus trees a lesson about letting go. We cannot grow in maturity without letting go of things which always hold us back - all the negative attitudes, emotions and actions which we may be tempted to cling to.

Paul the apostle wrote in his letter to the Philippian church:

 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13

For me personally 2024 has presented some challenges. I've learned that you cannot control the  attitudes, words and actions of others. We can only control our own. More and more I'm learning to come to God in prayer, to acknowledge His sovereignty in all situations, His loving care and the guidance of His Holy Spirit, the great Counsellor. 

What is shed from the eucalypts returns to the earth, replenishing the soil and nourishing life within the ecosystem. The act of giving away can bless not only ourselves but others too. In a world of acquisition and materialism, some are discovering simplicity and minimalism. In blessing others materially and financially we receive blessing. In extending compassion and forgiveness we shed the growth- retarding veneer of bitterness. 

A calendar may be a human construct, but God in His wisdom has arranged the rotation of the earth to provide us with day and night, time and seasons. Every 365/66 days we begin a new year and with it the opportunity to leave behind some things from past years. 

With God's help, may we appreciate all He has done for us and given to us. May we follow Him closely this year as we make resolutions and plans for the year ahead. In all our lives may we glorify Him and share His gift of love and salvation to others.

Happy New Year 2025.