Written by Author & Blogger David Murray

Jesus said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14).

That cannot mean that if we attach “in Jesus name” to any prayer request we are guaranteed to get it — it’s not a magic spell.

Neither can it mean that if we neglect to say “in Jesus name” our prayers will not be answered — no prayer in the Bible contains these specific words.

So what does it mean? We use it often enough at the close of most of our prayers, and yet do we know what we’re saying?

Read more…

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Article by Marshall Segal from desiringGod.org

He forfeited his life for gathering a few sticks…

It’s a stumbling block buried in the book of Numbers. God has saved his people from slavery, and walked them into the wilderness for what will prove to be a forty-year journey to their promised land. And “while the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day” (Numbers 15:32). Doesn’t sound like a big deal, right? Enough of us have picked up sticks after a big storm, probably during the weekend (maybe even on a Sunday). So what happens next?

And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Numbers 15:33–36)

They put him to death over some yardwork?

Why? Because Moses said, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do. Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.” (Exodus 35:1–3, see also Exodus 20:8–9)

If Moses ended at verse two, it might have been unclear whether picking up sticks fell under “work,” but Moses didn’t stop there. It’s almost as if God had this nameless man in mind when he told them about the Sabbath. Yes, that means even gathering some wood to make a fire. And he was also crystal clear about the appropriate punishment: death.

Sticks and Stones

Someone might say this particular man wasn’t listening well or just didn’t understand exactly what Moses meant by “work.” It seems like a tragedy that he had to die over building a fire. But the previous ten verses bring this fatal incident into high definition for us.  Read more…

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Frank Retief was pastor at St James Church Cape Town for 31 years, having planted the church in 1968 with his wife Beulah.  He became the Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa until he retired in 2010.  Frank remains active in ministry through preaching, teaching, pastoral work & writing, and has authored a number of books.

The most precious thing:

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.”

In Mark’s Gospel we are introduced to the on-going conflict between Jesus and the devil. Jesus is always victorious over Satan because He has all authority in Heaven and Earth. We must remember that on the Cross the devil was defeated decisively and forever.

However, my concern today is to remind us that the devil is not our only enemy. Our own hearts can be our enemy as well. What do we mean by our “hearts”? It usually refers to that inner part of us where we think, feel, make decisions and live our life. The inmost part of us.

Now it is this part of us that was impacted by sin. There the old nature lurks and sometimes arises to lead us into sin. So we have to set a guard against ourselves. This is a way of saying that we must be alert and exercise self-control.

The heart is our citadel and must be safeguarded against all costs. Therefore we are told to “guard the heart above all things”. We sometimes take more trouble to guard our houses and our material possessions than we do the heart. How do we guard our hearts? Well all we need to do is use common sense. Do not deliberately expose it to things that pollute in the first place. Rather we should instead expose it to all those things that enable it and help it to grow in godliness.

Notice that our verse says “above all things”. This means that our inner spiritual life should always be our top priority. There are many things that distract us and many duties that call us, but we should pray for Grace to always keep our hearts before the Lord and His Word so that we may receive light and help at all times.

What does “the wellspring of life” mean? This is a reference to the truth that whatever possesses our hearts, whatever its chief love may be, will spill over into the rest of life. Like a spring of water underground rising to the top, so whatever is in our hearts will rise to the top and touch all of life. So let’s make sure that from our innermost being there springs only that which will glorify Christ, ennoble our lives, be a help to others and contribute positively to our community. And of course we should remember that of all things that stem from our hearts, at the centre is always the story of a crucified and risen Saviour.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I know my heart is deceitful above all things. Therefore I commend it to you again today to pray that you will possess it and fill it with your Grace and compassion. May I show these qualities to others in all my contacts with people and friends.  Amen”

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 By author, speaker, blogger David Murray

As we experience an unprecedented level of hatred and hostility towards Christians today, we find ourselves asking continually, “Why do you hate us so much?”

Politicians, judges, journalists, producers, educators, and many others are sympathetic to, and tolerant of, every kind of false religion and every kind of perversity, except when it comes to Christian teaching and values. Then the sharpest knives are out.

And we ask again, “Why do you hate us so much?”

We pay our taxes, we pray for our leaders, we give generously to charities, we volunteer in local schools and community projects, we love and educate our children, we feed the homeless, we send millions of dollars and thousands of people abroad to help needy nations, and make many other positive contributions to society and the world.

What have you done?
So why do you keep lining up against us and lining up with those who do little or nothing for society or the needy? You love the new atheists, the philosophers, authors, and comedians who launch vile diatribes against Christians and their God. Why doesn’t someone somewhere ask these elite men and women, who have devoted their lives to destroying Christianity.   “What have you ever done for the poor? How much money and time do you devote to your neighbours, your community, the poor at home and abroad?”

And yet, it’s us you hate?  Why?

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