Non Gamstop Casinos
April 21

Reading 1 - Deuteronomy 4

Click here to Listen
v. 2 - This is a very important principle throughout scripture which we do well to heed in a very open-minded way. As a community of believers in covenant relationship with God, we are in the same state as Israel here. We too must be sure not to add to or take from the commands that we have in scripture. We can see this fault in others - many doctrines are in the world claiming to be God's way but not found in scripture - but do we look carefully enough at ourselves in this respect, or do we just sit back closed-mindedly and complacently and say that we do everything right? Deut.12:32, Jos.1:7, Ecc.12:13, Matt.5:18, Rev.22:19
Peter Cresswell
v.9-14 - Here is another incident (as well as the escape from Epypt and the crossing of the Red Sea) that parents are instructed to pass down the generations. We look upon the ten commdments as a reminder of what God wants us to do in our behaviour. This passage makes the point that He also made His covenant with the people publicly at that time and this is the point they should pass on ot their children.
Peter Cresswell
v.3 Remember Deuteronomy is an historical account, at one level, of the events of the wilderness journey. The mention of Baal Peor means that the words spoken in Deuteronomy were spoken after the events of Baalam. Numbers 22:1 - 25
Peter Forbes
4:20 The use of the 'iron furnace of Egypt' is picked up in Jeremiah 11:4. Here the prophet, using the deliverance from Egypt, reminded the people that obedience was commanded on departure from Egypt (Jeremiah 11:4). The contrast is stark. The generation spoken to in Deuteronomy were obedient. Those in the days of Jeremiah were not. Israel entered the land under Joshua but were removed when Zedekiah was king.
Peter Forbes
:41-42 So the cities of refugee we appointed before the land was entered. A wonderful example of God's provision and forethought.
Peter Forbes
To keep and take heed is a theme running through this chapter. The words keep and take heed mean to observe and watch. It is our responsibility then to observe and watch our own spirituality, i.e. our own thoughts, words and actions. But we are not left wondering how to do this. God has told us to remember and not to forget what he has said. This is very helpful indeed, for when we find ourselves in positions which try and test our spirituality we can overcome these situations through remembering and recalling the words of scripture which help to keep our hearts and minds set on him.
Rog and Ruth Sharpe

Reading 2 - Proverbs 31

Click here to Listen
v.3 - note the contrast between v. 3, which obviously refers to the woman that will lead the young man astray - the outside influence - the worldly temptress, and v.17, which is part of the description of this virtuous woman, with whom it is appropriate to associate. We have the instruction to gird up our loins in order to be an active part of the woman that is to be the bride of Christ - Eph.6:14, 1Pet.1:13
Peter Cresswell
v.31 - To be praised 'in the gate' is to receive praise from others. Those who sat in judgement sat in the gate. Ultimately the judgement is that of God. We are exhorted to bring forth fruit to this end, that we might not cause God to blot our name out of the book of life. Psa.128:2, Matt.7:16,20, Rom.6:21,22
Peter Cresswell
v. 3-5 This instruction about not giving strength to women and not taking strong drink draw on earlier words of the proverbs in chapter 5 and 7 in particular and the Law of the Nazarite with respect to strong drink. Spirituality is achieved by avoiding the intoxicating effects of false teaching even though they be as appealing as the 'strange woman'.
Peter Forbes
:22 The covering of tapestry is a beautiful adornment for the virtuous woman. We should notice [7:16] that the 'strange woman' attempts to imitate the virtuous woman in her language. This should teach us that error can appear to be truth. We are required to asses the whole picture when responding to circumstances because error seems, so often, to be right. Indeed Paul calls it 'the pleasures of sin …' [Hebrews 11:25]
Peter Forbes
:1 That Lemuel's mother taught him about the virtuous woman may seem like self interest. However this is not so. In fact it is a pattern of the way in which the bride of Christ should teach it's new members the way that they should walk.
Peter Forbes
TWO WOMEN
In Proverbs 5, 6, and 7 we read a description of the adulterous woman. She takes away the best of your strength, your life and your wealth. Her house leads to death and punishment. To be with the adulterous woman is to bring about the unquenchable jealousy and anger of her husband.
As a contrast, in Proverbs 31 we read of a wife of noble character. She brings good and not harm, she is industrious and earns her wealth, she gives to the needy, is strong and all her family are well clothed. She speaks wisdom, fears the LORD and is praised by the people and especially her husband.
I believe that an important lesson from these two women comes from who they represent and our actions towards them. Certainly they have a literal warning and encouragement to us about faithfulness and the type of spouce we should marry, but the bigger picture is of the bride of Christ - the church, compared with a life of sin and the worship of other gods. As believers we should be aiming to be like the wife of noble character with our words, actions and love all given selflessly to the glory of God and for the good of others. And as believers we must avoid sin and anything that compromises our faithfulness to our God.
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4 v 7 - 8)
Robert Prins
Selfishness (putting ourselves before God and others) is one of the characteristics which can draw us away from God, but there is none of this in the life of this virtuous women vs..15; “She rises also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens”. She does not put herself before others or puts of until tomorrow what she should be doing today, serving God and others came first and this woman’s selfless zeal is an example to us all. It is this attitude of mind required in all those who wholeheartedly commit their lives to God, the apostle Paul in Rom 12: exhorts, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another. Not slothful in business fervent in spirit serving the Lord”.
Rog and Ruth Sharpe

Reading 3 - John 15 & 16

Click here to Listen
15 v. 6 - This concept of trial by fire is very common in the NT. We each have to bring forth fruit such that we do abide in him, and we will be able to withstand the 'fire' of the judgement, being purged by it rather than destroyed by it. Job 15:30, Eze.15:3-7, 19:12-14, Matt.3:10, Heb.10:27, Rev.20:15, 21:8.
Peter Cresswell

15:4 The Greek word 3306 is used repeatedly in this section in John's gospel John 14:10,16,17,25 15:4,5,6,7,9,10,11,16 The theme of 'abiding' in Jesus is continued by John in his letters 1 John 2:6,10,14,17,19,24,27,28 3:6,9,14,15,17,24 4:12,13,15,16 2John 1:2,9

16:1 If we think of Jesus as being one who went about bending over backwards in order to please men we would be mistaken. Matthew 11:6 13:21 57 Mark 6:3 John 6:61 Whilst Jesus knew that what he had to say would offended many he was concerned that his followers would not be so dismayed. Matthew 11:6 Luke 7:23 His concern was that his Father's will might be known. This is offensive to the flesh - therefore he prayed that his disciples would not be caused to stumble as did his adversaries. John 16:1
Peter Forbes

15:3 Being 'clean through the word' quotes Psalm 119:9 where David asks and then answers the question as to how a young man might cleanse his ways. So simple isn't it - yet so difficult to put into practice.
Likewise 'remember the word' quotes Psalm 119:49 - another instruction about how to be Godly in our manner of life.

16:12 Clearly Jesus was unable to instruct the disciples in all the things that he wanted to teach them. This must be due to the blindness of the disciples. We noticed in chapter 14 the repeated questioning of the disciples showing that even so late in the life of the Lord they did not understand his mission fully. We are in a wonderfully privileged position understanding the things we do.
Peter Forbes

15:26 In speaking of the comforter as 'the spirit of truth' we see that Jesus is speaking of something other than the Holy Spirit gifts for nowhere do we find the Holy Spirit gifts being presented as ensuring that the brethren would never err in their judgement. In fact it is clear (1 Corinthians 14) that it was possible for the Holy Spirit gifts to be misused.

16:33 When Jesus said 'I have overcome the world' he was still mortal. Such was his resolve at this time that, as far as he was concerned, the end was certain. This conviction that Jesus had is presented to us as a comfort to us in our times of difficulty.
Peter Forbes

LISTEN
Much of what Jesus said in the last few hours he had alone with his disciples was considered so important to John that he wrote most of it down so that we too could hear what Jesus had to say. Maybe it takes more effort for us to hear the words of Jesus because the printed page does not let us hear the tone of voice Jesus used, the pleading, the passion and the urgency. It does not show us the expressions on his face, the reactions of the disciples or the tears that flowed down his cheeks. All this we have to add ourselves. So as we read the words of our Saviour we need to make sure that we cut out any distractions from our minds so that what he says to us goes into our hearts and we hear it.

And Jesus tells us the reason we need to listen to him. "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray." If we do not listen to the words of Jesus we are in grave danger of going astray - more than that - it is almost certain that we will or already have. So as we read the words that John so carefully recorded for us let us listen and take their advice so that we will not go astray.
Robert Prins
ch.15 - There is nothing in man that attracts the love of God to him, this is a key feature in scripture and yet Gods love and mercy which is the substance of his grace has been demonstrated in the life and death of his son. Jesus tells his disciples in vs. 13; “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends” and he went on to say “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”. Our friendship with Jesus has only been made possible through the giving of his life, and it is our appreciation and expression of this love and mercy, which should dominate our desire to obey his commandments.
Rog and Ruth Sharpe