Information please

There is a delightful story about a special friend a man named Paul made when he was quite young. Paul’s father had one of the first telephones in Seattle. He was too small to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when his mother talked to it.  Then Paul discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person – her name was “Information, Please” and there was nothing she did not know. 

Paul’s first personal experience with this genie-in the-bottle came one day while his mother was out. Amusing himself at the tool bench in the basement, Paul whacked his finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible, but there didn’t seem any reason to cry because there was no one home to give sympathy. He walked around the house sucking his throbbing finger, finally the idea hit him - The telephone!  Dragging the kitchen stool to the phone he climbed up, unhooked the receiver and held it to his ear. “Information, Please,” A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into Paul’s ear.

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Mark

 

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest, sharpest and most fast‑moving account of the life of the Lord Jesus. It doesn't ease the reader in gently. It launches straight into action. From the opening paragraphs, Mark bounces from scene to scene, miracle to miracle, showing that Jesus has complete authority over sickness, evil spirits, nature, and even death itself. Nothing is wasted. Every episode is chosen to reveal that Jesus acts with the power of God.

Many believe Mark drew heavily on Peter's firsthand memories — the fisherman with the big personality and the bold voice. You can feel that energy in the writing. It is vivid, urgent, and full of movement. Mark is a master storyteller, stitching one event to the next so that you barely catch your breath. His aim is clear: to show that Jesus is God's promised one, full of divine authority, yet also the humblest Servant who ever lived.

A Gospel for Busy Romans — and for Us

Mark's main audience was Roman readers — people who admired strength, decisiveness, and leadership. But they also knew that the greatest leaders were those who served others. So Mark presents the Lord Jesus as the perfect Servant‑King. He has all authority, yet He stoops to help the weak, touch the untouchable, and teach the crowds with compassion.

Kindness

Kindness is at the very heart of the Christian life. The Bible calls us to embody compassion, forgiveness, and love and history shows us powerful examples of this lived out in the UK during the 20th century, such as the work of the British Red Cross during wartime relief efforts.

Kindness is not optional for Christians. It is commanded. Scripture reminds us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This verse captures the essence of kindness as its rooted in God’s forgiveness and love.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates kindness to the marginalized: the leper, the Samaritan woman and the tax collector to name but three. His acts were not mere politeness but radical compassion that broke social barriers.

The book of Galatians lists kindness among the fruits of the Spirit, showing that it is evidence of God’s work within us.

Proverbs in the Old Testament shows how kindness can be transformative: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Kindness heals, uplifts and restores.

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Leviticus

 

Have you ever watched a fantastic film that you wanted to see again and again? The story of God's rescue plan through Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is just like that. It's so wonderful that the Bible talks about it repeatedly. One fascinating aspect of the salvation story is that it's predicted and described long before Jesus was born. This is the main point of Leviticus.

If you read Leviticus, you might think it's just a guide for priests on how to make different kinds of sacrifices, which can seem very old-fashioned and strange. The book provides detailed information about the steps and rules for these sacrifices.

Unlike many other books in the Bible, Leviticus is not a story. Instead, it serves as a detailed guide for God's people, Israel, on how to worship Him. It provided specific instructions that were to be followed closely.

Peace in our times!

Politicians and religious leaders spend a lot of time and effort attempting to bring 'peace in our times'. Lasting peace is elusive and impossible purely by human effort and ingenuity. Most people fail to see that if they don't deal with the underlying causes of unrest, the problem will never be identified, and peace will never be created.

Our approach to producing peace often fails to dig deep enough. Jeremiah, the ancient prophet of Israel, faced this shallow approach to peace. He wrote on more than one occasion, 'Peace, peace when there is no peace?' Jer 6.14, Jer 8.11. People then, as in our day, were looking at life in a very superficial way. They had treated the word of God with contempt by ignoring what it said. The reason there was no peace was the sinful lifestyles of people. The same is true today. We cannot expect to have peace when we break the moral code of God (as nations, families and individuals) and flagrantly ignore the principles that are for our good. Scripture says, 'Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people,' Prov. 14. 34.

A simplistic approach to achieving peace will never be enough. The Bible predicts a day when a man who is outstanding in his ability to solve global problems and bring peace to the world will rise on the world stage. This man will ultimately create and manage a system without any reference to God and the law of Moses. The world will be seduced and convinced that he is the man they have been waiting for. But he is not the real deal. The peace he offers will be built on a shaky foundation and quickly collapse. Listen again to the prophetic words of scripture - 'When they say, "Peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape,' 1 Thess. 5.3. World leaders currently are struggling to cope with the issues of war, social change, poverty etc, so it is easy to see why this leader will be so compelling and convincing. But, his peace deal will be deceptive and not based on the true moral values set by the creator, God.

Peace

Throughout the world, many people today yearn and hope for peace, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall. Our attention and concern centre on Ukraine and the Middle East just now, but there are more wars in the world than we realise, some lasting for years. Much high-level diplomacy and complex negotiations continue, with repeated efforts to get opposing sides to agree even to a ceasefire. Still, in the meantime, we can pray while we wait to see the final outcomes. But it’s a just and lasting peace that’s needed, not just a patch-up without dealing with the root causes of the conflicts.

 

For too long now, we have looked with sadness and dismay at scenes of destruction, brutality and suffering. The causes lie deep and are as old as history. The Bible reminds us that it is all rooted in man’s selfishness, jealousy and pride. If we are honest enough to look within, that’s something each of us can be guilty of, a refusal to “love our neighbour as ourselves”, as Jesus said, even to love our enemies. That is how He loved us, and He still loves us despite our failures and sins: “God commends His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5.8). There is no greater love than this! 

 

We can refuse this love or receive it with gladness. If we receive it, we will enter a real and lasting peace with God. Those who accept Jesus as their own Savior and Lord are “justified by faith, and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5.1). Peace between warring nations seems so challenging to achieve, but here and now, we can have peace with God for ourselves.

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Kicking the can down the road

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There are a few expressions, such as ‘putting it on the long finger’, ‘kicking it into the long grass’ and ‘putting it on the back burner’, which indicate actions and attitudes leading to the delay or postponement of matters which need to be addressed soon or immediately and which require urgent attention. These expressions reflect a careless, lackadaisical attitude which is prepared to put something important off to a later date. The word ‘procrastination’ really means leaving something until tomorrow (the Latin word cras means ‘tomorrow’). In effect, the person is saying, “I know I ought to address this matter urgently, but someday I’ll get round to thinking about it.”

One man characterised by such an attitude is Felix, who, after hearing Paul's preaching, trembled and showed obvious concern, but then he said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24.25).

Following Jesus

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My Bible reading this morning was about the conversion of a Roman Centurion. He was a most unlikely candidate to become a follower of Jesus (the term Christian was not used at that time, but that was what he became).

Roman Centurions (I am generalising now) were usually battle hardened, professional, cynical, no nonsense type of people. Faith in the unseen or putting your trust in someone else was not how they normally operated unless, of course, it was obeying their commanding officer. They usually liked to be in control, pragmatic and deal in realities i.e. things that could be seen, touched and controlled. Maybe you are like that and quite cynical about spiritual matters.

Before I talk about Cornelius, that was his name, let me tell you about another Centurion. The Gospel writer, Matthew, tells us about him. Jesus had just arrived in Capernaum when a group of men from a synagogue approached him asking him to come to this unnamed Centurion’s house to heal his servant who was dying. There are a couple of things that are unusual about this story (read it in Luke 7:1-10 or Matthew 8:5-13). 

A diamond rush

 

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South Africa is famous for its diamonds. Not many ‘world records’ stand for more than a century, but a diamond discovered in that country in 1905 remains the largest ever found. So when, a few months ago, a cattle herder unearthed a promising-looking stone near a village in the east of the country, he hoped that it was that precious mineral. Word spread, and by mid-June this year many people had arrived, from different parts, to dig in the earth. Most were poor and longed to discover gems that would lift them out of poverty.

The Bible describes poverty that is not material, but spiritual, and affects not just a high proportion of the population, but all of it: the condition of sin, which afflicts all of mankind. The wealthiest are not exempt: the Lord Jesus spoke of “a certain rich man” who was “not rich toward God” Luke 12.21. In Scriptures such as Luke 7.40-50, sin is likened to a huge debt, which we cannot pay. Hence, if left to ourselves, we would remain unforgiven, to suffer the consequences, in the Lake of Fire: a state of unending spiritual poverty, with no hope of escape.

What if you had two birthdays?

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For many, birthdays are a reason for a party and a time of celebration. These occasions are anticipated eagerly and children especially, await the day with glee, hoping that lots of cards will pour through the letterbox and many presents will be received. They proudly wear a badge displaying their age and are keen to remind family and friends weeks beforehand of the imminence of the all-important date.

What is faith?

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It has been my privilege and very great blessing to have taken hundreds, if not thousands of school assemblies.  These have ranged from nursery school age to sixth formers and even into colleges and universities.  It is certainly challenging to face a hall full of young people - all with their own ideas - no doubt all wishing they could be somewhere else than school listening to a visiting speaker!  It is essentially telling them a story that has a particular point which encourages them to think and reflect about aspects of God and how we can know Him.

Singing our way out of Lockdown!

 

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Our Singing

 

Who would have thought that the last year would pass so quickly? At first, we wondered how we would cope with all those restrictions for so long, but here we are. And now we are being promised some gradual moves towards “normality”, but old fashioned “normal” may never return, or not for a long time yet.

 

Among the more normal things, we would love to see soon would be the opportunity to meet with our Christian brothers and sisters in proper church gatherings, to remember our Lord, to listen to His Word, to pray together, to sing again in harmony or unison. At least we try to do that, but maybe in future, our singing will have to be a bit more subdued because they are telling us that sometimes singing can spread things like viruses! We’re not there yet, so meantime, we can listen to messages of hope and cheer online. And we all can, and we all should keep reading our Bibles and praying every day. As an old Sunday School song says:

 

Read your Bible, pray every day ...  and you’ll grow, grow, grow!

 

You may remember the other verse, which is:

 

I will make you fishers of men ... if you follow Me!

 

In our reading and praying, we communicate with the Lord, one to one, but what about our singing? It’s great to sing along with others, but what if you can’t do that just now? Can we sing to ourselves? Some people speak to themselves, and that’s OK sometimes. Ephesians 5.19 tells us that both speaking to yourself and singing to yourself is a good thing: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” The inspired words in the Psalms, and the beautiful words of hymn-writers, are often the very words we need to express how we feel some days or lift our hearts in appreciation and worship to God at any time. We know that the Lord hears and appreciates it, for He says, “Whoever offers praise, glorifies me,” Psalm 50.23.

 

When other people hear us singing, it can have an effect on them. When Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi (for preaching the Gospel), they “prayed and sang praises to God” – at midnight! We might have thought that wasn’t a good time to sing and not a good place to be singing, especially after they had been beaten up by the jailor. But they were singing, and we read that the prisoners in that jail were listening to them.

 

God got the praise, and others got the blessing, for as you read this story in Acts 16.19-34, you are reminded that the jailor, who also must have heard them, came and asked, “What must I do to be saved?” And the great answers was and still is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!”

 

Looking back, I seem to remember that years ago, many Christians went about singing a lot more than we do now – in the house, at their work, on the land, and on the sea! We have more recorded music and singing to listen to nowadays, and that’s good sometimes. But let’s not forget to sing for ourselves, maybe along with the recordings if you are enjoying it! You never know who is listening! God certainly is, but perhaps someone else will get a blessing too.

 

So, what about this one?

 

I will sing of my Redeemer.

And His wondrous love to me!

On the cruel cross, He suffered.

From the curse to set me free!

 

Sing, oh sing ... of my Redeemer,

With His blood He purchased me.

On the cross, He sealed my pardon

Paid my debt and made me free!

 

[Philipp Bliss, 1838-1876]

 

 

 

 

Written by Bert Cargill, St Monans and used by kind permission

Be still . . .

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“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46.10)

 

Our valued NHS staff can’t relax and be still just now, run off their feet caring for people. Many others are busy keeping our food supplies going. We thank them for their courage, and pray for their safety. For most of us though, everything is strangely quiet, the streets are empty such as we’ve never seen before. We have the opportunity to “Be still”.  

 

Sometimes we are too busy to settle down, to quieten our thoughts, to focus on the most important things in life. Whatever else may be important to us, nothing is more important for us all just now than listening to God, and speaking to Him about whatever concerns us. As we listen to Him in the stillness, He listens to us as we pray.

 

You could read Psalm 46 where our key verse comes from. It describes in graphic language situations which seem out of control, threatening and upsetting, like what is facing people all over the world right now.

 

Notice first v.5 – God is right there, and He promises to help, to keep us steady, to calm our fears: “therefore we will not fear” (v.2). We read this also in Hebrews 13.5-6: “He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you, so we may boldy say ... I will not fear”. Also in Psalm 23, even in the valley of the shadow of death “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” So for now and for always, let us “trust and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12.2).

 

Now notice v.10: “Be still ...” He wants us to know that He is GOD.

We should “Sit still”- waiting for a promise to come true (Ruth 3.18).

Then three times in the Bible we read that we should “Stand still “ -  

·       In Exodus 14.13  - to trust the great power of God to save us.

·       In 1 Samuel 9.27 - to listen to the good Word of God to guide us.

·       In Job 37.14 - to consider the wondrous works of God all around us, to lift our spirits to worship Him who made them all. 

 

If you want to sing something about being still, try this one 

(tune Finlandia)

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

Here is another one, one from Sunday School days 

(tune What a friend we have in Jesus)

 

Said the robin to the sparrow, “Friend I’d really like to know

Why those anxious human beings rush about and worry so!”

Said the sparrow to the robin, “Friend I think that it must be

That they have no heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me!”

 

So the robin and the sparrow sang their chorus, O so sweet:

“Don’t you know that Jesus loves you, come and gather round HIs feet.

He who cares for robin redbreast, He who marks the sparrow’s fall

Is the One who died to save you, for He loves you, one and all”

Written and used by kind permission of Bert Cargill, Scotland 

How do you tell people you are a Christian - Acts 26

Scripture Reading

Acts chapter 26

Scripture Verse
Paul was sent to ‘open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light”

Acts 26:18  

We have learned lots about Paul as we have read the Book of Acts. I have told you about the places he visited. We are going to see three different things happen to him today, tomorrow and the next day.

Are you listening to God's voice? - Acts 10

Daily Bible Reading - Acts chapter 10

Acts 10.36 

‘preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all’

Cornelius was a soldier in the Roman army. He was a centurion, which meant he looked after 100 soldiers. They were part of the Italian Regiment based in Caesarea. Lots of soldiers lived in this town. The Romans used this town as their military base.

One person who cares for you!

This time of the year can be a lonely time for many people! Everyone has their family, or do they? There are a lot of people about who are very private and keep themselves to themselves. They would not trouble anyone with their problems and would not presume that anyone else is interested. 

I have news for anyone who is reading this who thinks like that. I know someone who is interested in you; his name is the Lord Jesus. He is recorded as saying in the Gospel of John - 'I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly'. The Bible also states that God 'is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance'.

The Lord Jesus is personally interested in each one of us. For no other reason than He wants the best for you. If you doubt that then read one of the four Gospels in the New Testament part of the Bible. The record about Jesus says that 'He went about doing good'. For three years for He dispensed the blessing and forgiveness of God to the people He met. He healed them both physically and spiritually. By doing this He was proving that God is interested. That God is caring! That God has time for you! Even His amazing miracles demonstrate that God cares. The one who can heal the body can save the soul!

You can quietly come to Him, by praying to Him, wherever you are. We have all sinned against God and need His forgiveness. When we agree with God that we have disobeyed His commandments and ask for His forgiveness then He will save us.

Why and how you may ask?

Why - because we are in danger. God is just and must judge wrong. Your sin has consequences because breaking God's law is damaging. Just as fire burns so sin hurts and has ongoing consequences. This is why we need God to intervene.

God can save us from future punishment in Hell because His Son, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The Bible says 'Christ died for the ungodly'. He died for you, and I, and can forgive us because He took the punishment for sin. The fact that Jesus is sinless and perfect means that He qualified to pay the price on our behalf.

When you believe you will receive salvation - why not believe today. It works - He saved me and has been with me for fifty years now.

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

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

25 words that could revolutionise your life!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - the Bible - John 3.16.

Have you ever seen the words John 3 v16 held up at a sporting event (see pictures)? Did you ever wonder what it meant?

Have you ever longed to be loved unconditionally, sincerely and consistently? Well listen to this.

For God - the greatest being in the universe loves you. 

So loved - His love is the greatest show the greatest degree of love - He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. 

His love is to the widest audience ever - the world.

that He gave - this was the greatest act of love - when you consider that we were His enemies, disobedient to him and sinners.

His only begotten Son - this is the greatest gift possible. Consider the value and status of the Son of the living God. The creator, the supreme one given to the death of the cross to pay the price for sin.

That whosoever - the widest audience possible - no one is excluded. God is not willing that any should perish.

Believes in Him - the greatest simplicity, believe and receive.

Should not perish - the greatest guaranteed promise. No doubt, no maybe's salvation is secure.

But - the great differentiator, we all stand on one side or the other. Saved or lost, dead in sin or life in Christ.

Have - the greatest certainty

Everlasting life - the greatest possession. Nothing else comes near, everything else has an expiry date.

Read this verse until you understand all that God wants to bless you with.

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