The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus a stone of offence

Evening Service following the Lectionary Romans 15: 4-13 Matthew 11: 2-11 Below York Minster The Church Christ's body here on earth, living stones.

Advent is the time when we remember the birth of Jesus and were we prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming again.
John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Messiah through his baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
John the Baptist had been wrongfully arrested by Herod Antipas and put in jail for speaking out against Herod’s marriage to his brother Philips wife Herodias. John had said to Herod, “It was not lawful to have her.” Matthew 14: 3, 4. Under Jewish law Herod was forbidden to marry his brother’s wife. Leviticus 18: 16.
John had few friends amongst the Pharisees, they had not responded to his baptism. Luke 7: 30. 
John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Messiah through his baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  “He said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits fit for repentance . . . every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3: 7-9                                                          
In Matthew 11: 2. John the Baptist had heard from his prison cell the deeds of the Christ. John I’m sure would be amazed to hear of the blind receiving their sight and the lame walking, lepers healed, peoples hearing restored, the dead being raised up and the poor being ministered to by Jesus.
John sent word his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Why did John find it necessary to send his disciples to ask that question? And why did Jesus end his answer with the words in verse 6 “And blessed is he who takes no offence at me.”
John was in jail for upholding the law, was he offended by Jesus breaking the law by healing people on the Sabbath Day? Did he expect the Christ to uphold the law by applying it in his ministry?

Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy ‘A stone of offence and a rock of stumbling.”
“And he shall become a sanctuary, and a stone of offence and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble thereon; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” Isaiah 8: 14, 15.
Jesus the living stone bearing witness to the overburdening laws added on by the Pharisees causing offence to their leaders. The Jews earned their righteousness by keeping the law so in their zeal they added laws to the laws given to Moses by God.
"The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel" by Victor Buksbazen. "By the second century AD there were 1521 laws just for the Sabbath Day."

The Pharisees were expecting the Christ to uphold the law so they asked Jesus, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
“Jesus entered a synagogue and behold there was a man with a withered hand and they (Pharisees) asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” So they might accuse him. He said to them, “What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other. But the Pharisees went out and took council against him, how they might destroy him.” Matthew 12: 9-14
Jesus taught that it was right to do good on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees stumbled in their eagerness to please God. We too can stumble and fall when we believe that the Lord is calling us to do something for him and it becomes the most important thing to us. The Lord will sometimes take the activity from us, causing us to shed tears of pain resulting in brokenness. It is then we may realise that the work had become more important to us than the Lord.
I write from personal experience, when the word 'The Messiah's Secret' was revealed to me I was on a Readers Course. I realised that the ministry that the Lord had called me to was connected with this word to make it known. The course was a challenge I had no qualifications in higher education. I stepped out in faith believing that it was what the Lord had called me to do for him.
On the final term I realised that I wasn't going to be licensed as a Reader for my church, I was devastated. I fasted and prayed but then I realised that the course had become the most important thing to me. The Lord showed me that I had to let go and keep my eyes focused on him.
Two years later I was licensed as a Reader at my present church were the word about 'The Messiah's Secret' has been received. I humbly give thanks to the Lord for their kindness towards me.

In 1996 the Lord has shown me that 2,000 years ago that it was at and after Pentecost Jesus could only be received by the nation of the Jews as their Messiah, and not before Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It was a national calling to the Jewish people, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.                      
The Jewish leaders at the time rejected Jesus as their Messiah and King as they do today.

The Messiah’s Secret – Preface by John Young
“As one of the elders of a Messianic Fellowship whose congregation fulfils the desires of God to see Jews and Gentiles as one, this book will be extremely helpful to Jew and Gentile in understanding the plan, and purposes of God and for His people. The Church has long needed to understand it has a special relationship with and a responsibility towards Israel. Truth has been lost throughout the ages but like a treasure is always rediscovered. In these end times then let this book be dedicated to the One who inspired its writer and author as He did in times past. To those searching for the ‘truth’ this will be a very helpful book in bringing clear understanding and direction in where our focus should be. I trust in the grace of God to open the eyes and to open the hearts of those searching for the ‘truth’ for it is only the Lord Jesus who declared He is the way, the truth and the life to all irrespective of colour and creed. Let this little work be to the glory of God and to the increase of His government in this world.”   John Young December 2000."

The Messiah’s Secret
God’s plan of salvation through the cross was hidden from Caiaphas and the council. But for centuries the church has believed and taught that the time for the Jews to receive Jesus as the Christ, their Messiah was before the crucifixion of Jesus.

God's word of prophecy to Caiaphas
High priest Caiaphas and the Pharisees brought the council together were Caiaphas shared a prophecy that God had given to him, “That it was expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they took council how they might destroy him.” John 11: 47-53
God had spoken directly to high priest Caiaphas the main leader of the ruling council of the Jews and Caiaphas believed that the prophecy was pointing to Jesus; he was the one man who should die for the people. But he did not believe that the Messiah would come and die. The people had been taught from the law that when the Messiah comes he will remain for ever. John 12: 34
Whilst Jesus was dying on the cross the chief priests and scribes mocked him saying, “He saved others but he can not save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.

When Caiaphas and the Pharisees heard that Jesus had been raised from the dead fulfilling the prophesies of King David, surely they should have realised that God had given them a word of prophecy concerning the Messiah, and that God had hidden it from their understanding in order to bring the nation to acknowledge Jesus as their Christ after his death, resurrection and ascension. Also when they heard the prophecy of Joel being fulfilled in the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2: 17, 21.
Sadly Sadducee Caiaphas did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. The Pharisees their hearts were hardened. Read Acts 2: 22-27

“For the Jews demand signs and the Greeks wisdom. But we preach Jesus Christ crucified a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles.” 1 Corinthians 1: 22, 23.
The Apostles were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of Acts, being about their master’s business in anticipation of Jesus’ return. (Parable of the nobleman)
The church began at Pentecost with Jewish men and women taking out the message about Jesus’ resurrection of his return with the angels of God.
Jesus had given his followers hope of his return within their life time.
Jesus said “When he comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels. Truly, truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8: 38. 9:1.
Peter at Solomon’s Portico knew that their leaders had acted in ignorance not realising that Caiaphas’ prophecy meant the Messiah had to suffer, die and be resurrected to fulfil God’s plan of salvation for all the families of the earth.
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus who was preached to you before. Whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.”
Peter was giving the people the opportunity accept Jesus as their Messiah to bring in the times of refreshing meaning the establishing of the throne and eternal kingdom of God with Jesus the king on its throne. Acts 3: 17-21.
Peter said that Abraham’s promise had now been fulfilled by all the families of the earth being blessed by Jesus Christ. Genesis 12: 3. 18: 14. (Prophecy relating to the church)
”And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers saying to Abraham “And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed. God having raised up his servant sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness, Acts 3: 22-26.

Two thousand years later the church has proclaimed Jesus the Jewish Messiah, and the Saviour of the world, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Jesus is still a stumbling block to the nation of the Jews.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 15: 4-13 he wrote about Jesus fulfilling the promises given to Abraham, Moses and King David in sending the Saviour in whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. Jesus, his body of believers the church, in which Jew and Gentile become one that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus the corner stone, a corner stone tie two walls together and the Cap stone protects and covers the top of the wall.
Jesus‘ cross tying together Jew and Gentile becoming one, Jesus being the head of the assembly of believers.

I realise that this word ‘The Messiah’s Secret’ is a tiny part of the preparation for Jesus’ return in bringing forgiveness and healing between Jew and Gentile.

Shoah Seminar – May 5th 2000 held at the Menorah Synagogue, Manchester.
Ten years ago I was invited to attend the Shoah Seminar at Menorah Synagogue in Manchester England. This day was in preparation for the first Holocaust Memorial Day in our area that took place on 27th January 2001. (I took notes) The government wants to ensure that the terrible crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten and its relevance for each new generation is understood.
The Rabbi of Menorah Synagogue when he spoke on the Holocaust, (Holocaust meaning ‘burnt sacrifice.’) he referred to the Jews that had been taken by the Nazis to the concentration camps as fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 ‘the suffering servant’. The people of the Holocaust were the burnt offerings for the atonement for their nation’s sin against God. Also he said, ‘God had established the new covenant when the state of Israel came into being after the war, and the land of Israel, was their Messiah.’

Whilst I respect Rabbi’s interpretation of his own Jewish scriptures, as a Christian through the churches study of the Hebrew Scriptures, I see the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the ‘suffering servant’ in Jesus. (blog Isaiah's prophesies fulfilled)

King David prophesied that the Messiah’s body would not be burnt by fire.
Jesus’ body was not burnt. “David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Jesus risen body, his flesh and bones bore the marks of the sword and the nails. Acts 2: 31, 32. Psalm 16: 10. 49:9. Luke 24:39-42

Paul's words to the church at Rome still applies today.
“So I ask, have they (Israel) stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” Romans 11: 11
Through the Apostles these Jewish men and women all the families of the earth have the opportunity to accept Jesus as the Saviour of the world.Sadly down the centuries a lot of Christians have accused the Jewish people of crucifying their Messiah.

Singer Helen Shapiro
In November 2009 I went to listen to Singer Helen Shapiro she told us her life story. Helen is of Jewish decent born in London in 1946. At the age of six she went to a state school. She told us of how she remembered a child coming up to her in the playground and saying, ‘You killed Jesus.’ She was devastated and never forgot those hurtful words. In the late 1980’s she discovered Jesus as her Saviour and the promised Messiah to the Jewish people.

The Messiah’s Secret - Sheep and Goats

Supreme Court Justice Horace Gray once informed a man who had appeared before him in a lower court and had escaped conviction on a technicality, “I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law.”
Taken from “A Bundle of Laughs” J. John and Mark Stibbe, Monarch Books.
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus used the title Son of man in reference to him being the Judge.
“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of man.” John 5: 26, 27.

The Messiah's Secret PART TWO - What is this? A New Teaching.
"The leaders, the shepherds of Jesus’ day were looking for the Christ to bring in the Day of Judgement, the Day of Wrath and establish the eternal throne and kingdom of God.
But, these same leaders were not aware that the Christ had to die on a cross before he could bring in the Day of Judgement.
“I came to cast a fire upon the earth; I would that it was already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Luke 12: 49, 50.
Jesus couldn’t bring in the fire of judgement upon the earth until he had fulfilled the baptism of his death and resurrection and ascension and he was constrained because he saw how sinful the leaders of Israel were. Under the law the Jewish people earned their righteousness so to increase their righteousness to please God they added extra laws to the ones given to Moses by God."

In verse 32 Matthew records that Jesus spoke of every nation coming to his throne of judgement. True justice means that every nation including the Gentiles coming before his throne of judgement having heard the same message about Jesus Christ being the Saviour of the world.
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles. that you were at the time separated from Christ alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one . . . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross. Ephesians 2: 11-16
The wall in the temple that separated Jews and Gentiles broken down by the reconciling power of the cross.

In verse 34 Jesus introduced another of his titles ‘The King.’
The King relates to a King having a Kingdom like: King of Greece, King of Jordan etc Jesus the King of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus the Son of man is the Judge and he is also the King of the Kingdom of God.

The King gives us understanding of what separates the sheep from the goats
The sheep are the believers in Christ, whose faith has born fruit having given shelter, food and drink, clothes, visiting the sick and visiting those in prison. The goats are the unbelievers, those who deny that Jesus is the Christ and as a result they will not do these things in the name of Jesus.1 John 2: 22

Paul and Silas give us an example of what separates the sheep from the goats.
In Acts 16 we read that Paul and Silas have reached Philippi in Macedonia. They stayed in the city for a few days, then on the Sabbath Day they went to the riverside where they hoped to find people praying. When they got there they found a group of women sitting there, one of them was called Lydia she was a worshipper of God. Paul told her about Jesus, maybe he told her about Jesus fulfilling the covenants and promises given to the prophets especially those that spoke of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, also of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit by the prophet Joel. Lydia believed and invited Paul and Silas to her house to stay.

A fortnight ago at one of our churches house groups we were looking at the passage from Ezekiel 34: 1-24 and what came from our discussions was that as Christians we prepare ourselves for the day by reading from the Bible or daily notes and prayer and we make plans for the day or evening. But if the phone rings or gets a text or email to go to someone’s aid, we may wrestle with it, but more often than not, we drop what we’ve planned and respond to their need.
Lydia had probably made plans for that day, but her priorities changed as a result of her new found faith in Jesus she took Paul and Silas into her home giving them shelter, food and drink.

During Paul and Silas stay at Philippi they were followed by a slave girl who worked as a fortune teller. She annoyed Paul because she announced that they were servants of the Most High God, who proclaimed the way to be saved. Paul discerned that she was giving the impression that she was one of them, a follower of Jesus; she was masquerading as a sheep. Paul delivered her from the spirit of fortune telling.
The Roman men who owned the slave girl were furious with Paul and had them both seized and taken before the Magistrate. They accused Paul and Silas of advocating customs that were unlawful for Romans to accept or practice. Paul’s words had rendered the girl powerless which made her unable to predict the future, this meant loss of revenue for her Roman owners they were no longer able to fleece the sheep. These Romans I think we would be portrayed as unbelievers and according to this reading they would be described as ‘goats.’
The Magistrate or Judge was pressured by the indignation of the crowd and sentenced Paul and Silas to be flogged and put in secure prison cells.

God intervened by using natural forces, a slight earthquake that must have damaged the structure of the building to open the cell doors and loosen the stocks and chains so that all the prisoners were set free.
The jailer woke up hearing no doubt excited voices and noticing that the cell doors were open he thought that the prisoners had escaped. The jailer knew that he would face a terrible death as punishment from the Romans so he reached for his sword and was about to kill himself when Paul shouted to him, “Don’t harm yourself, we are all here.”
The jailer called for a light, when he saw Paul and Silas these two high security prisoners before him, he fell on his knees and said, “What must I do to be saved.” Perhaps he recalled the prayers and the singing of the hymns before the earthquake struck or maybe to him it was a miracle that the prisoners did not escape.
Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

To receive knowledge about Jesus is life giving food and drink to our inner being.

Through faith in Jesus the jailer was set free from the prison of guilt were his conscious had convicted him of sin. The stocks and chains, the evidence that bound him he received forgiveness from God and entered into the King’s eternal kingdom. As a result he was clothed in righteousness, white fine linen depicting the righteous deeds of the Saints. Revelation 18: 8
The jailer could see in Paul and Silas something that he wanted and needed. The Roman way of life did not fulfil that need. Every human being needs to be filled with the love and knowledge of God. It can only be received through faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross.
Paul and Silas were taken to the jailer’s home where their wounds were dressed, Paul witnessed to all the household about Jesus and they went outside and they were all baptised. Afterwards they returned to the house and rejoiced over a meal.

Rita Nightingale
Rita Nightingale told us her story when she visited one of the churches in Rossendale. Rita had been on a visit to Thailand unknown to her drugs had been planted in her suitcase, as she went through customs at the Airport the drugs were found and she was accused of drug smuggling and was put in jail. Two Christian ladies visited her in prison where they gave her scriptures about Jesus, as she reflected on the words Rita came to know Jesus as her Saviour. Later her innocence was proved and above all expectations Rita was given a free pardon by the King of Thailand.

Acts 16 continued
Early next morning the Magistrate sent his officers with an order to release Paul and Silas. The jailer must have been relieved and rejoiced as he told them. However, through Paul’s Godly wisdom and courage he made it known to those present that the Magistrate had acted against Roman citizens when he had them flogged and thrown into prison. Paul insisted that the Magistrate should come and release them publicly.

The Magistrates Injustice he was a shepherd who cared nothing for the sheep
The Magistrate was alarmed he heard that he had acted against Roman citizens so he came probably out of fear of the Romans he escorted Paul and Silas from the prison. Justice needed to be seen to be done as this would have had its effect on the Gospel being taken out at Philippi. Afterwards Paul and Silas met at Lydia’s’ house were Paul encouraged them before they left them and went on their way.

Judgement
Jesus will judge the church for rewards. This judgement takes place before the Son of man comes with the angels to sit on his throne judging the nations.
On Jesus’ return he will take up the eternal throne of King David which was prophesied “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.” 2 Samuel 7: 36

The Messiah’s Secret – 'Gideon' Christ in You Part 5

Evening Service Following the Lectionary Judges 7: 2-22. John 15: 9-17

Gideon the descendant of Abraham through Jacob, his son Joseph, his son Manasseh. Joshua 17: 1,2
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his concubine Kerturah, Abraham was a descendant of Shem the son of Noah.
The Amalekites were mentioned in the war of the Kings Genesis 14: 7 their land being Hazazontamar. The location given in 2 Chronicles 20: 2 as being Engedi which is on the West side of the Dead Sea. In Genesis 36: 12 Amalek was the descendants of Esau who took his wives from the Canaanites. Esau the son of Isaac the son of Abraham. Esau's twin brother Jacob received the blessing from Isaac so the promise of the inheriting the land of Canaan came down his line.

The land of Canaan was cursed by Canaan's grandfather Noah for seeing him naked, “Canaan would be a slave to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25 (see blog Lord of the Dance)

Since that time there has been controversy over the land of Canaan.
After the Israelites 2nd revolt against the Romans in AD 135 the Romans renamed the land from the 'Provincia of Judaea’ to the 'Provincia of Syria Palaestinia.’ This name was in association with the Philistines the descendants of Casluhim the ancestor of Egypt the son of Noah. Unger's Bible Dictionary page 821

When Jesus died on the cross he bore all the curses put on the land through the fall of Adam and for all generations since inheriting Adam's sin. Jesus has redeemed the land, the crown of thorns signifies this.

Gideon
In Judges Chapter 6 we read that the Midianites had prevailed over the Israelites and as a result they made their lives unbearable by destroying the produce of the land and stealing their animals. The Israelites made shelters and lived in caves in the mountains.

Gideon was afraid of being seen by the Midianites and the Amalekites so he hid and threshed his wheat in a wine press to keep it from them. Gideon was very insecure, he felt weak and oppressed by his circumstances that I feel had its effect on his faith in God.
A wine press below ground

Whilst Gideon was threshing his wheat, God sent an angel to speak to him telling him how gallant he was and to go and deliver the Israelites from the Midianites and Amalekites. Gideon was very wary of the angel’s message he had assumed that God had abandoned Israel because of their idolatry and that was why the Midianites were persecuting them. Judges 6: 10 Some Israelites had built altars to worship Baal including Gideon’s father.

After further discussion with the angel Gideon wanted a sign from God. He prepared the offerings of a kid and some barley bread and placed them on a rock. The angel touched them with his staff and fire came from the rock and consumed the offering. Gideon now believed that the angel was from God.

Trumpet call on Gideon’s life.
Gideon’s first reaction to God’s call on his life was to resist open confrontation with his father and the Midianites saying that he was too weak and fearful also he had a fear of dying at the hands of the Midianites. After this encounter with the angel, God gave him assurance. The angel said to him, “Peace be to you. You will not die.”
The Lord gave Gideon a word to dismantle his father's altar to the worship of Baal and saw up the Asherah pole. He then was to take the wood and build an altar and with his father’s bulls make offerings to God. He was afraid to do it by day so with the help of ten men they accomplished their task during the night. Next day when the people saw what had been done they accused Gideon. The Midianites and Amalekites joined forces and made camp in the valley of Jezreel.

The Holy Spirit took possession of Gideon. (verse 34)
Below Wood Carving by Dorothy Newton

Gideon sounded the trumpet, summoning his fellow Israelites to join him in battle, this action by took great courage. The rallying call of the trumpet brought several of the tribes together in support of Gideon.
God’s trumpet call on Gideon’s life broke down the walls of the wine press of the oppression of the Midianites.

In God’s eyes Gideon’s strength was in his weakness.
Gideon was still insecure, he put out a fleece to be assured of victory over the Midianites and Amalekites. If the fleece had dew on it in the morning and the ground around it was dry then they would have the victory and it was so. He then asked God to reverse the process and it was so. God gave him that assurance that he needed.

God broke through Gideon’s weakness of insecurity by reducing the numbers of men who would help him get the victory.

God suggested to Gideon that he should give the people who were afraid to go into battle to return to their homes. 22,000 went home, only 10,000 remained.
God again suggested that the men who lapped out of cupped hands should go into battle against the Midianites and Amalekites. The number of men was 300, these men were then equipped with trumpets and torches in jars.

Gideon was like the light and the fire encased in the jars that were carried by his men. He had the Lord upholding working alongside of him, yet he felt insecure.
The shattering of these jars was like Gideon being released from fear and of his insecurity.

The Lord was with him.
Gideon had a word from the Lord to go down to the Midian camp and listen. If he was afraid he should take with him Purah. They came to the camp were they overheard a conversation between two Midianites. One sharing with the other his dream, and no doubt to Gideon’s amazement the other interpreted the dream.
“Behold I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbles down into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and lay flat. And the comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; into his hand God has given Midian and all the host.” Judges 7: 13, 14.
Hearing this, Gideon knew that the victory over the Midianites and the Amalekites was his. He divided his men into three groups of a hundred men and then he told them to surround the Midian camp. At his signal they were to blow their trumpets and break the jars and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon.” As they carried this out the Midianite armies fled. We read how Joshua brought down the walls of Jericho with a blast on the trumpets and the shouts of the people.

Let your light shine before men so that they might see your good works.
Part of loving one another is in having respect for each other. The people who became Judges over Israel were respected for their wisdom, courage and love for God.

God’s trumpet call on our lives.
The Holy Spirit shows us Jesus and that all that is written about him is true, he died on a cross and God the Father raised him from the dead and through faith in him we receive forgiveness of sin and the causes of sin. When we come to faith in Christ the transformation is amazing: we know God as our Father and that we have overcome the fear of death and have entered into eternal life.

Within a short time we may find that all that we have received is some how encased within us, like the light and fire of the torch encased in the jar.
The fears that Gideon had we can relate to: fear of combating the unbelief of others in making Christ known.
Maybe we are fearful of not being able to express our faith.
Fear of being excluded from the company of our friends because we are Christians.
Fear of the unknown or change
The fear of commitment of losing control of our lives,
Fear of giving up what we enjoy.
These and other fears are the strength of our soul or ‘the me’ within. These strengths or fears dominate over the Spirit of the Lord, encasing and controlling our walk in Christ.

To break the strength of our soul like Gideon the Lord will take our weaknesses and call us to work in our weakness. We will say to the Lord,’ I can’t do it;’ I don’t want to do it.’ We will try and hide from the Lord our God.
I can testify to this when we moved to Haslingden my hobby was wood carving. I enjoyed working with wood. When the thoughts came to start a pottery business for my church I was very sceptical because I did not think that Churches had businesses and I was not interested in working with clay. But the thoughts persisted and I went to night school to learn to the skill, but I had no flare for it. Continue in 'my Story.'

For you it might be to work alongside people with drug problems or to witness your faith to a friend or write poetry etc. The Lord will take us out of our comfort zone and that is a hard thing to do.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 13. Romans 16: 25
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly then all we ask or think.” Ephesians 3: 20, 21.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8: 10

The Lord using our weaknesses means that we turn to the Lord to be dependant upon him, Jesus will strengthen us and as a result the joy of the Lord fills our hearts as we are working out the Lord's will and our salvation.

Update October 2012. Over the summer the Lord has sent several people from an ex-offenders centre to our morning services. We are all rejoicing as they are coming to know Jesus as their Saviour, redeemer and friend.

God is Love (Dorothy Newton January 1995 A Child-like love)
Love participates in unity bending the will to love another.
Love doesn’t hide itself or shy away.
Love takes hold of the prickly thorn and caresses it.
Love picks up the bruised heart and cherishes it and makes it, it’s own.
Love gives off radiance like the heat of a summers’ day.
Love its fragrance enriches unity, time stands still
Love has a strength all of its own.
Love gives in to love.
Love is a safe place without any walls, no barriers of fear and wars.
Love prepares to serve all human weaknesses.
Love bears the pain of love, rejection grieves the lover.
Love ceases not to love,
Love is God our Saviour.