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Glen Park Gospel Church >> Archive >> Editorial >> 2024
Each month the Glen Park Gospel Church produce a one page newsletter called the Green Leaf. It's available from the chapel each Sunday. Some months include a topical article or report. We thought you might appreciate reading those previously published.
Thought of the Years
God saves us from our selves,
because He wants us for Himself. C. N. Bartlett.
"Remember me, O my God, for good." Nehemiah 13:31
Nehemiah's prayer might well be ours as we tread upon the threshold of another year. As we pause reflectively at the close of one segment of time and look hopefully ahead to the unfolding promise of another, it is well that our thoughts turn to Him who holds our future in His loving hands. Trial, disappointment, yes even death may face us in the coming months, but with His grace and His rod and staff to comfort us, we need not fear. As we look trustingly to Him and ask the Saviour to remember and keep us, we may be sure that all things will work together for our good. - Henry G. Bosch. Radio Bible Class. 1963.
Our meditation this month follows the presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ at our Christmas day service by Chris Trinham.
We take up the Gospel of John for our New Year devotion. Most knowledge of our story comes from either Matthew who was Jewish in emphasis or from Luke who was a gentile, a Greek. He trained in a Greek university of the day, as medical doctor and also an historian. John another close disciple opened his home to Mary the mother of Jesus, thus providing us with access to that vital inner heart knowledge that every true mother cherishes of her children.
The text for our meditation comes from this Gospel of John. The first five verses.
FIRST. Verse One tells us that the Word. whom we also know as Jesus existed before this world began, indeed before every other thing. See also Colossians 1:15-17 Paul also tells us that he understood this to be the case. "And He IS before all things" Notice that 'is'. It accounts for so much. This Word was before time, before matter, before light, before all other things. It also tells us that before all else this 'Word' whom we know to be Jesus was then present. (If we are having some difficulty in understanding the form of language used here, do we have difficulty in reading, say Ephesians 5:31.)
SECOND. We learn that the Word and His Father are one person, yet distinct. John also tells us that "the eternal Word was with God." John uses words that may encourage us to seek Him to ensure we understand them. But remember that each of these men were inspired of the Holy Spirit in that which they presented. For Some things in God's word we may want to wait upon the 'divine author' who graciously comes to our aid.
THIRD. We learn that the Word is almighty GOD. John tells us that the Lord Jesus is God. He is best described by stating what He is not. He is not a created angel. He is not less than the Father, even though the Father who is God, and may be seen as having greater authority in some places. Then, He also had all authority also vested in Him. Thus it was said of Him in Scripture that, "He is able". Scripture tells us that our Lord is able- whatever be your need. Thank Him and trust Him.
FOURTH. We learn that He is the creator of all things Look up, Colossians 1:16 "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." He is able.
FIFTH. We learn that this word is the source of all spiritual life and light. John the apostle tells us that, "In Him was life and the life was the light of men." All blessing in this life flows from the Lord Jesus. He is the fountain head of all God's benefits, consequently He is able to save to the uttermost all those that draw near to God through Him since He ever lives to make intercession for them.
Therefore look to Him in all you do, in the affairs of your life and for the blessing of others Let us in everything, walk with the Lord.
Thought for the Month
God wants to be your dwelling place.
He has no interest in being a weekend getaway or a Sunday bungalow or a summer cottage.
Don’t consider using God as a vacation cabin or an eventual retirement home.
He wants you under His roof now and always.
He wants to be your mailing address, your point of reference; He wants to be your home.
John 14:23. Max Lucado.
The Forgotten Corner
There is in our Church a forgotten corner, at least there is until something goes wrong and we have to put back all of the books that spilled out.
It is a series of shelves that contain someone else's loved volumes. This corner consist mainly of books that somebody loved and collected over a few years of their Christian pilgrimage. They really did like them and could not bear to see them dumped. After all there must be many Christians who would value them just as much if they had the opportunity.
Then as life moves on, and arthritis catches up they realise that it is time to move. The old home is too big. The children have married and begun families of their own and when they moved they left all their 'other stuff' behind. The lawns are a constant demand and the window frames need painting. The gardens need weeding.
All the time we thought we would have to read and study seems to be taken up with chores, and resting after them. But what are we going to do with all this stuff. Well the books can be donated to the church. After all they must love those books as much as we do. So there they sit. But I seldom see anybody reading one of them.
But why should I? I have numerous 'forgotten corners of my own'. And interspersed amongst them there are books that I re-read and reference books that my studies cause me to refer multiples of times, and probably shall again and again. Theological sets, national history sets, commentary sets, dictionaries of English, Greek, Hebrew and Ancient languages, and more: and a full set of F. W. Boreham, C. S. Lewis and Charles Dickens, The work of Dean Farrar. Doreen who loves deep, thick volumes is reading her way through Kenneth Latourette's 'A History of Christianity'.
And guess what? I have enough forgotten corners to keep me going. I do not actually need another forgotten corner. But perhaps you do. For, those books can open a new world of interest and learning. If so may we invite you to help yourself. If the book you take is invaluable - keep it, for as long as you are reading it, then pass it on to some other interested body with your recommendation. Make our forgotten corner one of your ministries. It may open the door to a new world of interest and friendship.
Thought for the Month
"If your living is wrong, you can't die right."
A quip of Evangelist, Billy Sunday
The Death of Jesus Foretold
Seventeen Separate Conditions Prophesied.
Scholar Herbert Lockyer identified seventeen fore-tellings of the amazing death of Jesus. Here is a sample. It is a Bible refresher course for one or two:
1) He was betrayed by a friend. Psalm 41.9 & Matthew 26:47
2) He was sold for the price of a slave. Zechariah 11.12 & Matthew 26:15-16
3) His disciples deserted Him. Zechariah 13:7 & Mark 144:27
4) He was mocked and beaten. Micah 5:1 & Matthew. 26:25 & 67
5) His hands and feet were pierced. John 20:25-29
6) He was crucified with criminals. The words used here suggest that He too was a felon. Isaiah 53:9, Mark 15:27
7) He prayed for his captors. Isaiah 53.12, Psalm109:4-27
8) He was the object of their ridicule. Psalm 22:7, Psalm 109:4
9) His clothes were sold by lottery. Psalm 22:18
10) He was forsaken by God. Psalm 22:1
11) He. was parched by thirst. Psalm 22:15, 69:21
12) He yielded himself to God. Psalm 31:5-24
13) His friends deserted him. Mark 14:50
14) His leg bones were not broken. Numbers 9:12
15) He died in unusual darkness, an effect without identified cause-act of the Almighty. Amos 8:9
16) He was buried with the wealthy. Isaiah 53:9
17) His was a voluntary death. Daniel 9:26
Suggestion: Find a quiet spot, Make a cup of tea or a cool drink and quietly and prayerfully read Amos 8 and quietly commit your way to the Lord - for good and for ever. Isolate yourself from the current famine of the bread of life. Always renew your store, for you, your loved ones, and the passer-by who will listen Refresh your bread tin every morning.
Thought for the Month
The assurance that Jesus rose from the dead on the 3rd day, by Lee Strobel, "The Case for Christ".
1. The disciples were in a unique position to know whether the resurrection happened, and they were willing to endure suffering and deprivation, proclaiming it was true.
2. Apart from the resurrection, there is no reason why sceptics like Paul and James would have been converted and died for their faith.
3. Within weeks of the crucifixion, thousands of Jews began abandoning key social practices that had had religious importance for centuries.
4. The early sacraments of communion and baptism affirmed Jesus' resurrection and deity.
5. The miraculous emergence of the church in the face of brutal Roman persecution "rips a great hole in history, a hole the size and shape of the Resurrection of Jesus" C.F.D. Moule.
Read Luke 23:36 to the end of that book. Luke is a supplementary record to those of the two preceding gospels, Matthew and Mark. There is necessarily some recounting of the events they record. And then also John to the three of them. John's work caps that of the earlier synoptic writers. He, it seems to be, wrote when he was advanced in years and the only apostle remaining alive. But the Church ministry was growing and in need of his supplementation and direction.
Deep darkness 'over all the land'
Matthew 27:45 records that from their sixth hour, our twelve o'clock, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour, our three o'clock. It could not have been an eclipse of the sun, for the Passover was held when the moon was full, and opposite the sun. Luke 23:45 says that "the sun's light failed". The only answer to this, is a sovereign act of God - providing some dignity to His naked dying Son. It was also especially proper to provide this testimony when the "Son of righteousness" was withdrawing his beams for a time, and the Redeemer of men was expiring. A thick darkness, shutting out the light of day, and clothing every object with the gloom of midnight, was the appropriate drapery with which the world should be clad when the Son of God expired.
Is there any corroborating evidence? Well there is. This darkness was recorded by at least one of the pagan writers. Phlegon of Tralles, a Roman astronomer, speaking of the 14th year of the reign of Tiberius, which is assumed to be that in which our Saviour died, says "that the greatest eclipse of the sun that was ever known happened then, for the day was so turned into night that the stars appeared."
Over all the land - That is, over the whole land of Judea, and undoubtedly at the very least adjacent countries. The extent of the darkness is not known, but the fact of it is.
Thought for the Month
Jesus' death on the Cross bridged the gap between a perfect God and a fatally flawed humanity... God took the worst deed of history and turned it into the greatest victory.
Philip Yancy writes in "The Jesus I never knew".
Between the cross and the empty tomb hovers the promise of history: hope for the world, and hope for each one of us who live in it.
The Road of the Loving Heart
The day came when the English novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson, was inflicted with an heavy illness and he sought a quiet place with a favourable climate to rest and recover. He chose an island in the Pacific Ocean. He soon found conditions to be less than he expected however, for the native islanders with whom he had come to live were constantly at war with one another and their neighbours. Quarrels and fighting continuously broke out amongst them.
Gradually Stevenson, using all his influence and powers learned how to settle most of these conflicts peacefully. The natives at last found a great degree of harmony with one-another as they began to respond to his wisdom and efforts. They were unable to show their appreciation, as due to their isolation they were unable to buy gifts, and decided to build a wide easy to use pathway from the coast to his dwelling so that his desired guests could come to visit him, and these guests would now have trouble free access to his home.
All the native people decided to assist in it’s construction and a sign was placed at it's commencement. Today that inscription reads, 'The road of the loving heart', Just below it is a plaque telling that it was built because Stevenson had shown them his love and through his wisdom had brought joy and peace to the peoples of that island. His wise sacrifice was appreciated by them all. And his desired guests could now have untroubled access to his home. It was called, The Road of the Loving Heart. And just below it is a plaque that told the reason that it was built.
There is One greater than the late R. L. Stevenson who has shown us his love, and through His sacrifice has brought eternal peace to our troubled hearts. He is our Lord, Jesus Christ. In gratitude to Him, let us work to bring others also into that relationship.
Adapted from "Our Daily Bread Favourites" 1/5/1967
Thought for the Month
"Only in submission to the Will of God is there peace for the world and peace for the human heart."
Alan Redfern
Proverbs
There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and many Christian folk continually read this book one chapter a day for the wisdom in decisions it offers concerning the academic and earthy dangers of life. As we read it consistently it constantly builds an awareness bank that attends our way. If this is not yet you, you can become one of that fellowship today.
For Prayer, F. B. Meyer whose work is in the Public Domain, says, "Notice the perfect balance of each clause, and the duplication of the one thought in the two clauses of each verse."
Wisdom as used in this book is more than intellectual learning or cleverness. It represents a moral quality, the result of a pure and true life. We are conscious that many simple-minded people, who have little enough book-learning, are remarkable for sagacious advice, insight into character, the wise reading of events, an intuitive knowledge - all based on the fear of God. The headlines of Scottish copy-books used to be taken from this book. Certain it is that the young who ponder and practice these maxims can hardly fail of a successful career.
Read with the Old Testament Proverbs, the New Testament James. In a very real way they are complimentary one of the other.
Thought for the Month
"Poverty and suffering can serve as instruments to teach us the value of dependence and unless we learn dependence on God, we will never experience His grace."
Philip Yancy, "The Jesus I Never knew"
My Personal Weather Forecast
Francis Gay, the author of the popular Friendship Book suggested in 2004 that we ought to have our family and personal weather forecasts. Knowing that we have some arduous tasks ahead, it may help us to cope with some of the unpredictable conditions we may meet during the day. After all we are unpredictable too, aren’t we?
She said, 'Perhaps it could go something like this:'
"There is the prospect of a rather mild depression from the North in the morning that could well deepen before lunch time and introduce a spell of turbulence. Sunshine should return later in the day leading to periods of stillness and the evening will be calm with little or no disturbance.
"The outlook for the weekend: expect periods of intense activity from south westerly squalls, but with some quieter spells late in the day. This will lead to late sunshine which may give way to quieter spells at the end of the day."
And for those who no longer rush around. "No storms in the foreseeable future."
The benefit of these forecasts is that if you do not like them - write your own! Use the book of Proverbs for a touch of wisdom. Then live it out.
Thought for the Month
"God took the worst deed of history (the crucifiction of Jesus) and turned it into the greatest victory. No wonder the symbol of the cross never went away; no wonder Jesus commanded that we never forget."
Philip Yancey in "Where is God when it hurts?"
Thy Kingdom Come
1. May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make His face to shine upon us, Selah.
2. That your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3. Let the people praise you O God,
Let all the peoples praise you!
4. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
5. And judge the nations upon the earth. Selah.
Let the peoples praise you O God;
Let all the peoples praise you
6. The earth has yielded its increase.
God, our God shall bless us.
7. God shall bless us.
Let all the ends of the earth fear Him. (ESV)
This ungainly Psalm, number 67 in your Bible, is the camel of the Psalter, but just as the camel is irreplaceable in the desert, so this song also is in the Bible's hymn book. Of it, Graham Scroggie says it is a gem and those nations that do know Him must make Him known. 'The psalm', he says, 'is inspired by the consciousness of Israel's mission to the world as the "Messianic nation" for the establishment of God's Universal Kingdom. And in that we also have a part to play.
Thought for the Month
"Love does not operate according to the rules of power, and it can never be forced. In that fact we can glimpse the thread of reason behind God's use (or non-use of) of power. He is interested in only one thing from us: our love. That is why He created us. And no pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence will achieve that, only His emptying of Himself to join us and then die for us. Herein is love. See John 3:16."
Philip Yancey
Why Flee?
Psalm 11, says Graham Scroggie, is born of circumstance in the life of King David while he was in the court of Saul. (See also 1 Samuel chapters 17 -19 in your Bible.) He was in personal danger; his friends counselled him to escape to a safer place. But he declined, saying that his confidence was in the Lord. (v1-3) He asked, 'In these circumstances, What can the righteous do?' It is a good response for the Lord's people to ask in circumstances such as many of us are forced to endure today - and we would be wise to seek true answer - to have the options ready.
John Welsh and his friends were lying, incarcerated for their faith, below sea level, in a dungeon of the castle, used as a prison for dissenters in the days of the Covenanters, and godly Lady Melville of Culross, one of the foremost women of her time, sent them a message, intended as encouragement, telling them to be thankful that they were only: "In the darkness of Blackness, and not in the blackness of darkness". Blackness, even today, is a town on the southern shore of Scotland's Firth of Forth inlet off the North Sea.
- Condensed from Psalm 11, pages 86-89 "Psalms" by Dr. W. Graham Scroggie, Pickering & Inglis. London & Glasgow, 1978. (Recommended)
Thought for the Month
Romans 15:13. A Continual looking forward to the eternal world is not, as some modern people think, an escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read History, you will find that the Christians that did most for the present world were those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at Earth and you will get neither.
C.S.Lewis, quoted by Billy Graham in Unto the Hills.
Saviour, Shepherd, Sovereign
Psalm 23 - THE SONG OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
A sabbatic rest breathes through this psalm, the children's favourite; while the oldest and holiest confess that it touches an experience which still lies before them. Here is no strife, no fear, no denunciation, and no self-vindication.
Jehovah is represented as the Shepherd, the Guide, and the Host of His people. We are taught to think less of our attitude toward Him and more of His responsibility for us. The flock does not keep the shepherd, but the shepherd keeps the flock. Look away from yourself and trust Him with all, in all, and for all.
Let God see to your wants. You need nothing outside of Him. His pastures are "tender grass", His waters, "waters of rest". He refreshes us when exhausted; heals when diseased; restores from wandering; leads in right paths, though steep; accompanies us into the valley with club for our foes and crook for the pits; spreads our table amid hatred; and protects our rear with the twin-angels, goodness and mercy!
Psalm 24 - ENTERING JEHOVAH'S HOLY THRONE ROOM
Psalm 22 tells of the cross; Psalm 23:1-6 of the crook; Psalm 24 of the crown. This great choral hymn was evidently composed to celebrate the removal of the Ark from the house of Obed-Edom to Mount Zion, 2 Samuel 6:1-23. It was conducted with music and song to its resting-place, and this psalm was the marching song of the priests, 1 Chronicles 15:2-27.
Psalm 24:1-2 was sung by the whole festal crowd; Psalm 24:3 by a soloist; Psalm 24:4-5 by the choir; and Psalm 24:6 by the entire congregation. What a sublime challenge on the part of the approaching host is contained in Psalm 24:7, to be answered by a company from within the gates in Psalm 24:8! To this again the vast shout of the multitude gives reply in Psalm 24:9.
This magnificent ode reaches its perfection when the mighty Victor over death and grave arose on high to sit down at the Father's right hand. Oh, let the gates of your heart open wide to welcome Him!
Thought for the Month
Each morning is a new opportunity to reflect on God's work in your life. As we look at our lives from the perspective of victory on the cross, we can know that God is faithful to His promise.
Adele Werner, Concord Gospel Outreach, 2021
John, the Forerunner of Jesus and His day
It is November, of the year 2024, the month before we celebrate the coming of Jesus, now over 2000 weary years ago. Rightfully we give our attention to Him. But the One sent from God to prepare the way of his earthly ministry, also has a message for us. His name was John, commonly known as 'John the Baptist', or more descriptively as, 'John the baptiser'.
The events that concerned his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, are part of the drama and are deeply significant. They had hungered for offspring, but missed out all down the line. In his priestly ministry preparations one Sabbath morning, "there appeared to him the angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense." Luke 1:11 The angel passed on a confirming message to him, that his prayer had been heard and Elizabeth would give birth in due time, and a son would be born to them.
F. B. Meyer comments, "The opening verses of Luke's Gospel are very explicit. They are answer enough to those who question the story of our Lord's supernatural birth and early years. Luke did not catch up the first legend that floated past him. He made searching inquiry. Doctor Weymouth renders the words in Luke 1:3, "having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first," as, "After careful examination of the facts from the commencement."
That our Lord should come into our race under special and supernatural conditions was as it should have been; but the historicity of this story largely rests on the careful investigations of Dr Luke, "the beloved physician", and was personally authenticated by the Apostle Paul.
The priests were divided into 24 courses, and they shared the Temple services for a week each, the work of each priest being decided by lot, 1 Chronicles 24:1-31. Sweeter than the incense which he sprinkled on the coals, was Zacharias' own prayer, commemorated in the name given to his son, "God's gracious gift". See Exodus 30:7-8; Revelation 8:3, etc.
You will find God's promise to them through the angel recorded in Luke 1:14. They were promised that the birth of John would result in much joy. And according to the record, so it did. He came as the forerunner of the One whose birth was also the occasion of much joy. This second child was Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary, and a cousin of John. We know Him as Jesus the Christ.
Thought for the Month
"Human beings are the product of both the creation and the fall..................Jesus describes evil as both issuing from our heart and causing our defilement. It is clear therefore we have a double need: on the one hand cleansing from defilement, and on the other a new heart with new desires and aspirations . Both of these are offered to us in the Gospel, for Christ died to make us clean, and by the inward working of His Holy Spirit He can make us new."
John Stott in "Why I am a Christian"
Renewing of Our Way
Malachi it appears was especially called to stir the priesthood to properly maintain the Temple services for the people of God. The principal complaint seems to have been them offering sick and lame animals for sacrifice, whilst retaining those animals that were healthy, to help build their own flock.
Thus the table of the Lord was polluted and His meal became contemptible. Such deliberate irreverence could not continue unrebuked. They were asked to compare their services to God with their services to their fellow man. How easy it is to slip a copper coin into the offering bag or plate as it passes by, in the place of one of much more precious metal. Even a coin banking machine spits them out.
In Malachi 1:10 God is heard asking for the doors of the temple be closed so that His people could not light unacceptable sacrificial fires upon His altars. "I am not pleased with you," says the Lord Almighty, "and I will accept no offerings from your hands."
"I couldn't do that," you protest, and we do not suggest that you would. But there is a principle here and it behoves us to search our hearts and judge our motives before God, for, far from seeing how near we can come to displeasing Him, let us see what more we can do to bring Him the highest honour in our lives.
Thought for the Month
"Human beings are the product of both the creation and the fall..................Jesus describes evil as both issuing from our heart and causing our defilement. It is clear therefore we have a double need: on the one hand cleansing from defilement, and on the other a new heart with new desires and aspirations . Both of these are offered to us in the Gospel, for Christ died to make us clean, and by the inward working of His Holy Spirit He can make us new."
John Stott in "Why I am a Christian"
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