womens’ page

October 8, 2012 at 7:21 am (Womens page)

YOUR HEALTH

with Dr Sharon Kane

• Medical Doctor Sharon Kane worked as an Elim missionary in Zimbabwe and Mozambique with her husband, Gregory. Recently she returned to the UK and is now working as a locum GP in Gloucester.

“I will lie down and sleep in peace”

INSOMNIA

Many people experience the misery of lying awake, hour after tedious hour, along with the foggy heaviness of dragging themselves through the following day.

Sleeplessness may arise for no apparent reason. However, there are often factors contributing to the insomnia that can be identi­fied and addressed. This may be as simple as avoiding coffee in the latter part of the day or using eye-shades during the lighter summer months. Sometimes poor sleep is a symptom of another medical problem such as depression, or results from physical discomfort. Treating the underlying condition usually brings the added benefit of improved sleep. 

If there is no obvious reason for the insomnia, try establishing a restful evening routine. Take a short walk or a warm bath, drink a hot milky drink, read a book or listen to music, These are all things that people find helpful. Con­versely, it is generally unhelpful to undertake tasks that are mentally demanding or physically vigorous – other than sexual intercourse -late in the evening.

If you find that you lie awake worrying about the tasks facing you the following day, try writing them down before you go to bed. Then lay the list before the Lord in prayer, along with any other anxi­eties you may be brooding about. If, after all that, you are not asleep within about 30 minutes then get up and do something rather than lying awake worrying about not sleeping. Go back to bed when you feel sleepy. 

Some Christians who are keen intercessors would urge us all to get up and pray. This works for certain people who find they are better able to hear God in the quiet of the night. However, if you find it difficult to connect with the Lord, the attempt may feel guilty if you end up falling asleep while praying, or angry with God if you pray for an hour and still can’t sleep.

Our Creator does not sleep (Psalm 121:4) but he knows that we can’t live without it. David trusted God with his burdens, and received the blessing of peaceful sleep. He wrote, ‘I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety’ –Psalm 4:8.

 

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wisdom’s ways

October 8, 2012 at 7:15 am (Wisdom's Ways)

Rev. Aaron Linford

POLITICAL WISDOM

“They that seek the Lord understand all things” – Proverbs 28:2,4,5,15,16, 29:2,4

A silver thread runs through these texts, it is that a nation is happy when its rulers are just. Morality and politics form a happy marriage. But the selfishness and folly of National leaders can destroy prosperity.

Many rulers (vs 2). Too many “princes” in accession can produce a crippling bureaucracy that strains the national economy to breaking point. Too many “princes” in quick succession may destabilise a nation. Happy is the people whose leaders are few, firm and far-seeing. But a nation often gets the government it deserves, especially in democracy.

Immoral rulers (vs 4). To obtain their nefarious ends, some rulers promote immoral men. But this reacts against them, for unscrupulous politicians will oppose the one that promoted them if it serves their purpose. A ruler who represses evil is on safer ground.

Ignorant rulers (vs 5) who “understand not justice” are a bane in any society. God-fearing kings are able to discriminate between good and evil: promoting the former, restraining the latter

Voracious rulers (vs 15) who prey as a lion on their people and act like a ravenous bear in grasping property and riches, leave their subjects poor. It was such exploitation of its wretched subjects that led to the French Revolution with its decimation of the nobility and its slaughter of so many aristocrats, many of them innocent of crime.

Foolish rulers (vs 16). The failure of nobility to appreciate the needs of the common folk has often led to unrest and upheaval. A good ruler knows not only the law of the land, he needs also to know the law of love. Justice can be cruel; mercy is its relief. When they are tempered together the kingdom is sustained.

Unjust rulers (29:2). Authority befits the righteous, and a just and kindly rule is of benefit to all. But when wicked men rule the people sigh under their injustice.

Oppressive rulers (29:4). The imposition of heavy taxes can crush a nation, especially when those impositions are used to maintain a lavish court. This was Solomon’s failure: “Thy father made our yoke grievous” (1 Kings 12:3). But his foolish son. ‘^ehoboam failed to give relief – and lost the Ten Tribes.

PRAYER:

Grant us just and wise rulers, O Lord!

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sermon of note

October 8, 2012 at 7:07 am (Sermons)

Rev. E. Anderson

THE MERCILESSNESS OF THE MOST MERCIFUL

Lamentations 2

The messenger of God unveils a particular aspect of the character of God that needs to be understood. Whilst there is an emphasis in the Biblical revelation on the mercy of the Lord, great and outstanding as it is, it must be realized that in contrast with it and in perfect balance is His mercilessness. One must get a perfect and absolute view of the full nature of God otherwise there will be wrong assessment. There are things that God literally hates and abominates and He will take vehement action against such. He will not tolerate certain factors and if they persist He will demonstrate His wrath and anger on a tremendous scale so that no one is left in any doubt as to His mind and attitude. It is an awful and terrifying matter to fall foul of the anger of God. In Lamentations two Jeremiah brings it to the fore for consideration. What happened in his day is an apt reminder of what can occur when sin is unbridled and allowed its rule.

1/. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY CITY w1,8,9,15

No one in his/her wildest dreams would have thought that this long standing, historic and well fortified city would be humiliated in such a way. The principal city of Judah and Israel reduced to utter rubble. All those towering walls of defence in a ruinous heap, leaving the whole place exposed to anyone. She was a mess and the Lord had brought it about. The place that He loved above all was in a shocking mess. There must be a justifiable reason! SIN!

2/. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY SANCTUARY – vv1,6,7

Not even the sanctuary that had cost so much in substance and devoted labour was left standing. It had been reduced to nothing and its treasures exported. The place where He had said: “Here will I dwell” was now God forsaken and a heap of ruins. The venue that had once been bathed in divine glory and been the scenario of the festivals and untold rejoicing is in a horrible state. Why? Sin.

3/. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY – vv2-5,8

The Lord’s anger had been vented so much against the people. They were the real cause of the former two factors happening. They should have been the Holy Seed and Nation on earth and represented Jehovah the Holy One to all the other nations but they had been reduced to impotence and nothingness. Every home had felt the frontal and brutal attack of the Lord – v2. Why? Sin.

4/. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY HIERARCHY – w9,10

The leadership has been effectively dealt with because they were mainly responsible for not giving a worthy and holy lead. There is no one to rule and to give divine legislation. The prophetic has ceased and so there is no revelation. All are exiled. Why? Sin.

CONCLUSION

The prophet calls upon all to cry out in distress over this sad state of affairs – vvv18,19. The outsiders jeer at the destruction -v15,16. 

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