Remembrance Sunday

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

Today is Remembrance Sunday and throughout the UK the now familiar ceremony of the two minutes silence is being observed just as it is every year. 

This year perhaps it has been a little less well attended due to circumstances, but there is still the call to remember as people wear poppies in support of those who have served in armed conflict.

As we reflect upon past conflicts it is true to say that such conflicts often bring out the best and the worst in people. There are many tales which tell of terrible atrocities and others which speak of great heroism. One such heroic tale that has emerged from the Second Word War is that of two young men called Bob and Jack. 

The last casualty - WW1

In November 2020 World War I will have ended one hundred and two years ago. The Armistice was signed early in the morning of 11 November 1918, and came into effect a few hours later, at 11a.m. Sadly, several thousand combatants, from both sides, were killed during that short time interval. The last was a soldier called Henry Gunther, who died only one minute before the 11 o’clock deadline. Acting against orders, he charged with his bayonet towards a group of soldiers on the opposing side, who knew that the ceasefire was about to come into force, and tried to wave him off. However he kept approaching, firing shots, so he was shot, and died instantly.

1914 - 1918 War - Love!

In the city of Melbourne, Australia, there is a very impressive shrine in memory of those from the state of Victoria who gave their lives for their country in times of war. The shrine was built between July 1928 and November 1934 in memory of the thousands from Victoria who served and died in the 1914 -1918 war. It has been a growing monument with other memorials added to the site as Australian soldiers fought in various campaigns. Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the forecourt in 1954 to those who served in the 1939 - 1945 war. There is a prominent inscription that declares, "Let all men know that this is holy ground". This is recognition that there is something very special about those who died on behalf of others.

One of the most interesting features is a plaque inside the main building that bears the words "Greater love hath no man". This is a partial quotation of John 15.13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". A ray of light is directed onto the word ‘love’ at 11.00 am on the 11th of the 11th month marking the hour and day of the armistice that formally ended the second World War. How good to reflect with sincere thanks on the sacrifice of so many that led to the war being over.

To ponder the greatness of love we must really turn away from all that is of man and that may be sentimental, and think of the love of God. As quoted above, these men died for their friends and fellowcitizens, but the contrast with Divine love is immense. "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us…For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" Romans 5.7,8,10. The enmity between God and us was caused by sin. James plainly declares that we can test whether or not we are enemies of God, "know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" James 4.4. If our ambition is wholly for this world; its pleasures, pursuits, power, prestige and popularity, then we are constituted enemies of God. Again Paul wrote, "the carnal mind is enmity against God" Romans 8.7. Thus we are enemies by what we are, what we do and how we think.

Despite this, God loved us and gave His Son to die for us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3.16.

No man of greater love can boast

Than for his friend to die;

Thou for Thine enemies wast slain:

What love with Thine can vie?

               ... (J Stennett)

This love wrought salvation, leaving the basis for sinners to be reconciled to God, because it was done perfectly and forever. Prior to dismissing His spirit and entering into death, the Lord Jesus Christ said, "It is finished" John 19.30, and the work was completely done. It needs no addition or repetition and certainly there is nothing we can do to assist in the matter. Salvation is offered freely to all mankind and the enemy who accepts Him by faith and rests totally upon Him, that person will be reconciled and rather than being an enemy of God, will be His friend. It is obvious which relationship is best!

Used by permission of Assembly Testimony Magazine

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

WW1 Hero - Safe while facing death

Watch the latest Seek the Truth Bible Media video, "WW1Hero - Saved when facing death in the hands of the enemy!" - http://socialcam.com/v/BLCdHSlt?type=email




For more posts and info visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

WW1 Hero - Safe while facing death

Watch the latest Seek the Truth Bible Media video, "WW1Hero - Saved when facing death in the hands of the enemy!" - http://socialcam.com/v/BLCdHSlt?type=email


For more posts and info visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Get on your bike!

A couple of weeks ago I decided to be energetic and go out for a ride on my push bike. This is quite something as I have not been on the bike for years despite constantly promising myself that I will get around to it. There is a lesson there about procrastination but I'll not go there!

I really enjoyed the ride. The first part was a bit scary! To be honest getting on the bike wasn't. Cycling on the road was! Cars swished past and buses put me under pressure by slowing down and revving their engines until it was safe to pass. That tells you how long it has been since I rode a bike on a main road! I am glad that my wife wasn't there to watch as she would have been panicking and shouting instructions. "Keep in", "slow down", you're wobbling", "why don't you get off and walk" would no doubt have been in cacophony of comments.

To be honest my intention was to go off the main roads and cycle through Croxteth Country Park. This is a lovely country estate near to where I live. It is literally on my doorstep which is why, as is customary, I only visit it once in a while. Isn't strange how we do not take advantage of facilities on our doorsteps but when we are on holiday we seek out all these lovely places and say 'we should do this type of thing more often". I feel another speech coming on about 'time management" and "making time for leisure" but again I'll restrain myself as it could be deemed hypocritical.

The route through the Country Park must be a couple of miles long. No problem to an experienced cyclist like myself, says he panting and wheezing. I actually really enjoyed myself and wasn't out of breath too often. As I approached the main entrance to the Park in West Derby Village I stopped for a breather. Now as you will know we miss a lot of interesting things when we are speeding (not literally I hope) from place to place. Life is lived at far too fast a pace and we often don't take time to look around us never mind to think about what we see.

I spotted this memorial on the wall.   "1939 - 1945, To the memory of the men, women and children of West Derby who gave their lives for their country in the World War". In a sentence we have covered the living and premature dying of many souls. They died to give us freedom and as a result they lost theirs. We really should be more grateful!

At risk of you thinking that I am wandering off the subject can I close by reminding you of another sacrifice that was made to give us freedom. Don't click close yet, this is majorly important. I am asking you to think of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

He gave His life, voluntarily so that we could be:

1. free from the power of sin in our lives today;
2. be in heaven on the other side of death and be free from the presence of sin;
3. free from the penalty and punishment for sin when we stand before God.

Put simply the Bible states that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (the Bible, 1 Timothy 1:15)

The old hymn says "He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good, that we might go one day to heaven saved by His precious blood"

I took a long time to get on my bike, how long will you take to face the truth.

Thanks for reading this, Stephen

This blog was posted by Seek the Truth Bible Media. For more information or to contact us please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk.