June 13th
Rev. E. Anderson
IN MESSAGE FOR TODAY
Let the assurances for Christ pre-occupy your thoughts and faith. If you will be guided and governed by these you will be enriched by Him and by what will be inwrought in and out-wrought through you. For instance, He encourages ‘to seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you’. This is no airy-fairy notion but a guarantee that there will be great discovery on your part as He brings all your petitions to fulfilment. He is with you today to work great and choice things for your growth and blessedness. Let your petitions be large and your answers be countless. The psalmist said in Psalm 20, ‘the LORD fulfil all your petitions’ and I voice the same desire for you.
REMINISCENCES
It was whilst we were at Denton we decided to take the young people on holiday to Eastbourne, a southern sea-side resort. We had a small church coach to help us in this and I was to go in our car. In the afternoon I did all that was possible to ensure it was all okay. As we set off late to travel through the night we hadn’t gone too far when an ominous light appeared on the dashboard to affirm the battery was no longer being charged. The points needed to be changed. How on earth was I going to get this problem solved? We travelled as far as we could on the motorway and pulled off on the right junction..The lights were truly dimmed. There was a closed garage ahead but gratefully it had its lights on so I pulled in. Immediately a land rover followed me in and I asked the driver if there was anywhere local place where I could get the problem attended to. He simply said, proceed down the road and you will see a right-hand fork, take it, and as you follow it round you will come to a factory, I am sure they will be able to help. He then drove off without ado. I followed his instructions, and true enough, the Lord provided the answer. It was all sorted out in the briefest of time and the young people were able to go to the toilets. We arrived safe and sound next morning at our destination. Praise the LORD!
DAILY MEDITATIONS
MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT – Acts 20: 1-12
As Paul left the assembly of saints in Ephesus he spoke encouraging words of faith into their lives that caused them to be greatly enriched. As he passed through Macedonia he called on many groups of Christians and also gave them much exhortation. One translator by the name of Rieu translates v2 – “speaking frequently and raising the spirits of the congregations.” It seems that he may have found a number of churches rather discouraged and so sensed the importance of renewing their spirits and faith levels. Because of difficulties and the hardness of the way they may have felt rather dispirited, hence the need for this uplifting ministry.
The saints at Troas were to get an uplift, too. As Paul is speaking for a long time, a young man falls asleep and plunges from the windowsill that was situated three stories up. It certainly wasn’t a wise or good place to fall asleep! The fall brings about his death. The apostle is quick to respond and goes immediately to the dead young man, embraces him and instantly he comes to life. There was not only life in his messages: there was divine, resurrection life in the man to produce resurrection! All must have been blessed and inspired by this wonderful miracle.
It is more than like that Paul had learned the art of encouragement from the son of encouragement, Barnabas. He saw how profitable it was. All who are within Christendom must engage in this helpful ministry. To encourage simply means to put new heart, spirit, and strength into a person that feels low and depressed. You can fulfil this dynamic role by drawing alongside people around you that are placed in this condition. By an inspiring word and deed you can renew someone today.
FURTHER NOTES FROM THE MINOR PROPHETS
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A DIVINE PREVIEW
Zechariah 14
The Lord gives a revelation and unfolding of what is really going to happen at the end of time. There is the distinct disclosure of the fact that the Lord will rule over the entire earth when everything has reached its climax. This is an assuring fact to those who have placed their faith and confidence in Him. He will bring to pass His eternal purpose in spite of all His adversaries, be they demonical powers or men. The long distance view makes known where things are heading and the signs are, we are close to fulfilment. It is good to note what is to happen especially in relation to God’s people and Jerusalem.
1/. THE HOLY CITY IS UNDER THREAT AND CONFLICT –vv1, 2
The final battle will be over Jerusalem and many adversaries will be set on the destruction of this Holy Place. For a while it would seem that things do not go well for God’s people and the situation looks grave and disastrous. They are seen to be in a vulnerable and exposed state.
2/. THE LORD IS TO EMBRACE THE CAUSE OF ISRAEL IN A UNIQUE WAY – vv3, 4
It is at this point that the Lord of hosts moves in with His invincible army and espouses the cause of Israel and will make His presence and power known. He may have gone to heaven with not many onlookers – Acts 1, but His second advent will be different as Olivet feels the touch of His feet. It will split apart and divide north and south. Truly, an earth-shattering event!
3/. THE FACT THAT NATURE IS TO GO UNDER MIRACULOUS CHANGE – vv4-8
There is to be a unique source and means of light and it will be of a continuous nature. The Dead Sea will no longer remain in its former condition because there is not only going to inflow but the beginning of outflow and so it will lose its previous status. It is to be a Sea of Life. It will become a real blessing to all.
4/. THE ENEMIES ARE TO SUFFER UTTER DEFEAT AND DEATH –vv12-15
Those who stand in opposition will be dealt with in quite an alarming fashion. Death will come in quite a staggering way. All that the Lord will have to do to show His displeasure is to send a plague that will provoke an horrible manner of death. It will be both awful and awesome!
5/. THE LORD WILL BE KING AND ALL NATIONS WILL HAVE TO COME AND WORSHIP – vv9-11, 16-21
All that is false will have been swept away and He will be seen as the sole ruler of the world. He will have no rival. All the nations will be brought to heel and will have to acknowledge the truth and fact. His rule will become powerfully evident.
Barnabas Ministries UK 