Through the Bible in 66 Days - 2 Samuel

Everybody loves a hero. King David was brave and handsome a brilliant musician, poet, leader and warrior. He was everything a good king should be. He loved God, ruled fairly, obeyed God’s commands and brought wealth, peace and joy to the people. But his story reminds me that the higher we rise the further we can fall. 

In the story of second Samuel we are confronted with the sins of David and the subsequent consequences for him and his family. He slept with another man’s wife, got her pregnant and then planned the man’s death so nobody would find out. He ended up

marrying her. His family was torn apart by these terrible choices. When He eventually repented of his sin, God forgave him but his rule as a king was never the same again. In fact, as you trace his family records we discover that the family suffered many things as a result of David’s sin.

So, what can we learn from a king whose life was a mixture of success and fear, good and bad, love and hate, inner peace and turmoil?

What Britons believe about God!

What Britons believe about God!

A recent survey concluded that Britons are more likely to believe in ghosts and karma than a Creator. It’s probably important to note, however, that ‘Christian’ is a cultural identification for many. Last year, YouGov found that only 55 per cent of self-identified Christians believe a God exists.

In fact it would seem that in British society a trend of ‘christianaphobia’ is rising. Christianity is accused of some amazing things. A couple of years ago, in a large circulation Regional Newspaper in England, Christianity was accused of being the source of the 'tide of disrespect engulfing us'. Is this really an honest assessment?

The impact of Christianity on the world is indisputable! Following the principles Jesus taught produced social reform, improved education, the development of science and medicine and influenced literature and philosophy!

The consequences of failing to follow the teachings of Jesus will be catastrophic both for society and the individual! The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to earth one day to judge the world righteously, Acts 17:31. All wrong will be judged; sadly unbelief in God, and his Son Jesus, is one of those wrongs that will qualify. 

This may seem harsh but essentially unbelief is the worst crime of all because of what it leads to. 

God is light therefore unbelief leaves you in moral darkness. 

God is truth therefore unbelief leaves you with all that is false. 

God is life therefore unbelief leaves you with death. 

God is holy therefore unbelief leaves you with sins unforgiven.

Ultimately unbelief leads to all the depravity that we readily accept is wrong and harmful. Thankfully today we all have the opportunity to 'believe in the Lord Jesus Christ'. In that day it will be too late.

In closing I want to pass on a ‘Global Warning,’ (excuse the pun)! This is not about the effect of the mismanagement of our planet and its resources, important though that is, but about an issue which has a longer lasting effect. This planet will come to the end of it's life cycle one day, see 2 Peter 3. However our souls will never die! The warning is that if we do not actively get back to God then we will find that we are, on death, forever at a distance from God and all that God is i.e. love, justice, peace etc. 

How can we come to God? The answer is in seeking the Lord while he may be found, repenting of our sin (turning away from it) and placing our personal trust in Jesus Christ.

The scripture teaches - 'Christ died for our sins....and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day,' 1 Corinthians 15.3,4.

The solution is to 'repent and believe the gospel,' Mark 1.15.

May you come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as a result of considering these thoughts from the Bible. 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Never say Never!

Peter could not see his own weakness! He really meant it when he claimed that would never let the Saviour down and deny Him. The problem was that he didn't have the strength in him to do what was right! 

The Lord Jesus had warned Peter that this situation would occur. Luke records this conversation in Luke 22:31-34. When Peter first met Jesus he not only had a change of heart but he received a change of name - Mark 3:16 records 'and Simon he surnamed Peter'. In Mark 14 Jesus reverts to calling Peter by his old name, Simon. Maybe this was because Peter was going to behave in line with his old character rather than acting out the new life he had received when he started to follow the Master. If you become a follower of Christ He will change your character for the better but there will be times when you still act as a sinner.  To be honest, when Peter had first met the Lord Jesus it had been a life changing experience - this is always the case when a person is confronted with the person and claims of Jesus Christ.

Another interesting thing about this incident is that the Lord Jesus addresses Peter as Simon twice i.e. Simon, Simon. Have a look through the Bible and you will note that when God is waking someone out of their slumber and attracting their attention he usually calls their name twice. I just wonder if God could be speaking to you and you have been ignoring Him to date!

One of the amazing details in this story is that Jesus knew the real source of Peter's trouble - it was the Devil himself (Satan). Satan's sole objective is to get people to disobey God and as a result to destroy God's plans and purposes. If you are believer Satan can never rob you of your salvation but his aim is to destroy your life, to rob you of the joy of salvation and to make you a pretty useless follow of Jesus. 

We are no match for the Devil so how are we going to cope? The answer is in this story - the Lord Jesus assures Peter that he has personally prayed for him. Isn't that wonderful. The Son of God prayed for Peter and He prays for us as well. Where do you get that from, I hear you say? Have a read of John 17 verses 15 & 20 and I think you will see that the Lord Jesus promised not only to pray for the disciples 'but for them also which shall believe on me through their word". The disciples preached the gospel, and some of them even wrote the New Testament, and down through the generations people like you and I have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as a result.  

Was Jesus' prayer answered? I mean Peter let Him down and denied Him so it looks like Jesus' prayer went unanswered! Well, I don't think so! The prayer the Saviour made was that Peter's faith wouldn't fail. The word for fail that is used here means 'to cease, to omit, to die'. Yes, Peter made a mistake and let the Saviour down but thank God that was temporary and not permanent! In fact the Lord Jesus anticipated Peter's recovery when he said 'and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren'. The Lord Jesus knew that Peter's denial was just temporary and that he would repent and be recovered and enjoy many years of loyal service for the Him.

So where are you in this discussion? Have ever trusted Jesus Christ to save your soul? If not pray and confess your sins and enjoy the forgiveness of sins. If you are a believer and have let him down, you too need to confess your sins and enjoy once again the joy of your salvation, Psalm 51:12.

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Mark 14:22-31

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.