“The modern church is producing passionate people with empty heads who love the Jesus they don't know very well.” Voddie Baucham. This is an astute observation.

When your preference becomes a prejudice you’ve got a problem.

“The sincerest form of admiration is imitation. If you love Jesus, you will strive to be like him. … if there is no imitation there is no love.” C H Spurgeon

“Went to RCA Victor, stood in long line, got job for 32 cents an hour. … Rough place but hope with God’s help to affect the environment, rather than sinking to its level.” (Francis Schaeffer, diary entry, 25 Sept 1930). A reminder of what Christians should do where they are.

Local churches (& denominations) need structures. But if the trellis (structure) begins to restrict & strangle the vine (the people, the Church) … disastrous!

In heaven there will be no ugliness in our interpersonal relationships. We will perfectly relate to each other. On earth, regarding all our interpersonal relationships … well, that’s another story!

In faith, reverently reason with the Lord Jesus when you bring Him your requests - He will listen (see the Syrophoenician woman in the Gospel of Mark 7:24-30).

God’s favour can rest upon you as He works out His purposes in your life, & he may bless you to your encouragement, even while you are being unjustly mistreated & can’t fathom why what has happened to you has happened, & why what is happening to you is happening (See Genesis 39)

When difficulties arise a guilty conscience may surface regarding some related serious misdeed you committed in your past - God is being gracious: listen to your conscience.

When the Lord removes the hedge around you, and you are exposed to the sinful inclinations of others, things can escalate at a startling rapidity, but you must remember that God is still in control bringing about His purposes for you despite the ugliness of the situation.

The Lord may sometimes make it clear to you that, to fulfil His plans, He has brought you to a position or place in life having used means involving others sinfully mistreating you - & those who mistreated you may even be caught up in the subsequent blessing! (See Genesis 45)

The Lord always blesses us with more than we deserve and there are times He not only gives us what we don’t expect but He exceeds our expectations.

The devil sings us songs. The melodies are beautiful, hypnotically entrancing. We are drawn in. But his lyrics are ungodly. They get into our head. Then our heart. Then they reflect in our behaviour. The consequences are bad. And it all started with a beautiful melody.

The Gospel needs no additives, subtractions, or substitutes. It is dynamite as it is. It has life-giving and life transforming power.

So many people are like chameleon lizards - they be what they need to be to get what they want to get. And this often results in self-centred behaviour that is devastatingly harmful to other people.

A few Easter thoughts from John 21:1-14 youtu.be/t0MS88tCcdQ?si…

“Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” (Exodus 6:9). Given the brutality of life, a Christian may react to God’s Word like the Israelites. May the Lord lift your spirit if you’re feeling like this.

If you do not suffer for Christ, Christ suffers in you, and with you. He is afflicted and touched with a sense of your afflictions. It is wrong for believers to think that Christ is altogether unconcerned by their sorrows unless they are endured for his name’s sake. Thomas Manton

Ulster Television ran this short report recently. Belfast's Historic Sinclair Seamen’s Church saved after receiving grant-aid for repair work | UTV | ITV News itv.com/news/utv/2024-…