Insecurity at home and abroad: Never Again says the Lord in and through Christ Jesus

The Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman islands, Dr. Howard Gregory addressing the recently held 143rd  synod of the church, quoted the rally cry of the Jews after their experience with the Holocaust, " Never again", in respect to how, in his view,  the political leaders here have used populist policies or have been distracted by electioneering, thus leading to the economic predicament that the country faces.

The young North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seems to be  either  blissfully unaware, or singularly unimpressed,  by a world, which is for the most part, united in its determination that, " never again" shall we have nuclear war on this earth. Not after the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki! So as the North Koreans continue to threaten the USA and its allies with a nuclear attack, even the China, who support the Pyongyang regime, felt the need to issue a thinly veiled rebuke that " no state should sow chaos, and that they would allow mischief on their doorsteps. Suddenly the world seems a more dangerous place.

Back home in my country, on my way to church this morning, in the midst of a very bustling part of city Kingston, the now familiar yellow police tape, surrounding a crime scene, announced yet another murder. At minutes past 7:00 am this morning! Perhaps it's time to follow the example of the Bishop and cry out as a nation, " never again", shall life become so cheap, and come to a such sudden and inglorious  end on the streets of our cities. No doubt this is part of the reason, along with the inevitable political machinations,  why there is a veritable media frenzy over reports in my country that the Minister of National Security was held up whilst spending time with friends over the long Easter weekend. The sentiment is that " never again" should he who is responsible for the security of the nation, be placed in such an embarrassing, and potentially dangerous, situation.

Also in the news was President Obama's decision, occasioned by the consequences of " sequestering" in the USA, to give back a small part of his salary. In a largely symbolic,  but perhaps politically astute, show of support of those who have been badly affected by the cut back in government spending. Accordingly the Jamaican government, in general and our Prime Minister in particular, have been under pressure from the local media to follow suit.

In this midst of this, what can only be described as, reckless International adventurism by North Korea, murder most foul in my country, and calls for sacrifice, so that never again, shall we walk this way as a people and as a world community, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Creator of North Korea, China, the USA and Jamaica spoke. The Almighty God who holds the future in His very safe hands, regardless who seem to have power in the world, spoke in clear terms.

A MESSAGE TO MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AND GOVERNMENT AND CHURCH LEADERS...THURSDAY MORNING

Yesterday I was led to these words, which came to me as I began my devotions with praise.

When he (The Holy Spirit) comes he will convict the world of guilt in regards to sin and righteousness and judgment.  John 16:8 NIV

Then this morning, again as I began with praise, I was led to the words of this glorious hymn which we sing regularly in the Anglican Church:

Praise my soul, the King of heaven............ransomed healed restored forgiven.

Finally, a reflection on this profound truth, of how I, and all mankind whether you believe or not, have been restored by grace to a right relationship with God after we all have sinned and turned away, led me to the famous passage of Jesus restoring Peter. He who had denied Jesus three times.

" When he had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ' Simon son of John, do you love me more than these"....John 21:15. And not insignificantly, Jesus posed the question three times.

Sometime during Holy Week, not sure when, I heard the following, " Jesus came to tell us that man should not live by bread alone.

Take home lesson from all of this: I doubt very much if you can really love the Lord Jesus, unless the Holy Spirit has convicted you of Sin......how we have denied Christ in our lives in one way or another. Whether like you my friend carrying the sin of unbelief that in Christ alone there is salvation,  or for others ignoring the great offer of mercy extended by God.....or knowing him and committing all kind of evil as many of us have done.

So my friend perhaps you are , potentially, in a better place than others who claim to love him, but have never admitted, nor understood how far away from God they or we all were, until Christ died for all of us. For them the words of the Revelator is important:

" I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth"

Revelation 15-16

The problem for you my friend, and all who depend on their intellect and who claim to have no need for Christ, the only way to God,  in their lives, those who live by bread alone, and not by every word that comes from God, is that the next few verses are very challenging.

You say, ' I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

But then comes the great offer of hope and restoration again;

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

I recall reading many years ago a quote from he who was once an atheist, C. S, Lewis, something to the effect, that if we could ever see how filthy we appeared before a Holy God we would recoil from our own shame.

I pray God that, while the offer stands available,  you, and others, will  accept and believe in the God,  who is,  in the words of the hymn writer,  " slow to chide and swift to bless", and who came  not for the healthy, but to call sinners like me and you to repentance.

Peace.

LWJ

Sent from my iPad

Comment: the key point here is that since Christ came as man, since He died on the Cross at Calvary, and since He was raised by power on that fateful Easter Sunday, " never again" will mankind be separated from the Almighty God.  Never!  Never again will evil be allowed to rule the earth, and ruin the life  which man was made to enjoy - close fellowship with the Creator God. Yes, there may be well be very difficult times ahead for mankind. In fact nuclear war may yet happen again. Who knows! But because of that one fact of life, that God in Christ  came and became man, suffered and died, and was raised from the dead, we can celebrate the victory over sin and death and evil. Whether in Pyongyang, or on the streets of city Kingston where life has become so cheap. The key things for all mankind to apprehend, whether they be King, President, Prime Minister or pauper, is that all of us are " wretched, pitiful, blind, poor and naked, before a holy God". And that we need to purchase " gold, white clothes and salve" from God, in and through the shed Blood of Christ the lamb of God, so that we may  become rich, clothed and see - gain the righteousness that comes in and through Christ and Christ alone. So that truly , " never again" will we be subject to the wrath and terror of God - much worse than even nuclear disaster.

Finally, this morning during my devotions, whilst praising an Almighty God, and being led to read Songs of Solomon about the mystery of a woman's  love and marriage,

again, the words of John the Revelator came into my head.

 
 " Day and night they never stop saying:
 
 Holy, holy, holy
 is the Lord God Almighty,
 who was, and is, and is to come.........
 
 You are worthy, our Lord and God,
 to receive glory and honor and power,
 for you created all things,
 and by your will they were created
 and have their being.......
 
 You are worthy, to take the scroll
and to open its seal,
 because you were slain,
 and with your blood you purchased men for God
 from every tribe and language and people and nation.
 You have made them to be a kingdom of priests
 to serve our God,
 and they will reign on the earth......
 
 To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
 be praise and honor and glory for ever and ever.
 
 Revelation 4:8-5:13 NIV
 

 
 
 
Then I was reminded on the words of a wonderful hymn which, inter alia, among other messages, speaks about how we may love this Almighty God, even though he is so powerful. because of Christ.

My God, how wonderful thou art,

thy majesty how bright,

how beautiful thy mercy-seat,

in depths of burning light!

How dread are thine eternal years,

O everlasting Lord,

by prostate spirits day and night

incessantly adored!

How wonderful, how beautiful,

the sight of thee must be,

thine endless wisdom, boundless power,

and awful purity!

Oh, how I fear thee, Living God,

with deepest, tenderest fears;

and worship thee with trembling hope,

and penitential tears!

Yet I may love thee too , O Lord,

almighty as thou art,

for thou hast stooped to ask of me

the love of my poor heart.

No earthly father loves like thee,

no mother, e'er so mild,

bears and forebears as thou hast done

with me thy sinful child.

Father of Jesus, love's reward!

What rapture will it be,

prostrate before thy throne to lie,

and gaze and gaze at thee.

Final Comment: It is a shame, and a great travesty, that He who by the shedding of His precious Blood, purchased man for God from every tribe, and language and people and nation,

should be the subject of much debate rather than obedience in this " modern " world. Like the Jews, we who love Him who we fear " with deepest tenderest fears", He who " stooped" and became man so that we can love him, commit to saying, " never again". Never again will we allow sin to rule over us. We may sin, we may do what is wrong and even evil, but it shall not rule us again ever. Because we are assured of forgiveness in and through Christ Jesus, once we repent with a sincere and contrite heart.

Never again will we allow the desire for vengeance to rule over us - and threaten an entire peninsula. Never again will we allow our sexual desires to rule over us - and thus provoke the firestorm that is raging in our country about how to prevent teenage girls from getting pregnant whilst in schools. One suggestion is to give out condoms. Clearly coming from a worldview that does not believe that the worse thing that can happen to anyone, is not to die, or to contract AIDS or to get pregnant, but to be eternally separated from God, because of persistent disobedience. And woe to those who cause " these little ones to sin".

Never again will we allow our desire to survive, despite the most difficult circumstances, to push us to the point of taking someone's life,  in order that we might live - thus opening the gates of murder and envy and malice, all of which conspire to cause blood to flow on the streets of city Kingston.

But that cry of never again, coming from the depths of human misery occasioned by the horrors of the Holocaust during World war 11, can only be assured when we place our trust in He who holds the future. The Almighty God who allowed  His people to cross the Red Sea on dry land, but ' the horse and rider of the Egyptians, He threw into the sea", and they perished.

I pray God, that Kim Jung-un may come to his senses and seek peace instead of war. That leaders in America and in Jamaica, at all levels, may acknowledge the greatness and mercy of God in Christ Jesus, and seek Him , and pray, " while you may be found; surely when the mighty the waters rise. they will not reach them ". Psalm 32:6

For when knows when the waters of life may rise suddenly and find us unprepared and unprotected.

In Jesus mighty name we pray..

Amen!

An Easter Message: Jesus Christ is Risen indeed

I read my Bible to see what men ought to do; and read the newspapers to see what men are doing - John Newton

" Lord renew the church beginning with me. Lord renew the church that teh church may renew the nation(s)...a prayer for this Ministry

INTERNET MESSAGE

Not even the dastardly act of the shooting death of a father by gunmen whilst walking with his son, near to the Prime Minister's official Residence, could take away my joy this morning. Not even the news of the banks re-opening in Cyprus could,  I am sure,  compare with the joy that Christians felt this morning in that country. Not even the news  of Usain Bolt, set to make  500,000 UK pounds tax free, for running two races over there, could overshadow the news of this past week and in particular today . Why? Because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead over two thousand years ago, and this is the day that Christians worldwide celebrate this event that has irrevocably changed the course history. No matter how much controversy surrounds this fact, both within and without the Christian Community, this truth   is deeply  rooted in the minds of millions of people across the globe.

And so we celebrate. We  rejoice that  Christ is risen indeed! And because He lives, because He was raised to life anew as a human being, we too can live a new life, in and through Him, despite the fact that outwardly we may not seem to have changed much. But inwardly, if we trust and obey, supernatural things are working in and through us, by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit of God. So we believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Triune God, as revealed to us by the Paschal mystery of Jesus, the Redeemer of the world.

I have been reading the great and wise theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he who paid the ultimate price with his life in the struggle against the evil of Hitler's Nazis,  all Lent, and even up to last evening.

A couple of things he asserted, are worthy of mention on this great day.

One is that, as Christians, we are to careful not to separate the Incarnation of Christ, The Crucifixion of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ. As all three aspects of the life of Christ are inter-related. The Incarnation, speaks of the love of God for all Created things. That's why God became man,  in order to redeem human beings and the also the earth - both of which were affected by the Sin of Adam. Christ's death of a Cross, the crucifixion brings the final judgement over all creation - the " death sentence" of the world. We, al of us who now live under the symbol of death - the cross - can chose to despise it and bring judgment on themselves. Or acknowledge it and thus achieve their won salvation. Finally, the Resurrection of Christ  reflects God's love and power which brings death to an end, and calls a new creation to life..."making all things new".

The relevance of this to a dying world, is that we the Baptized are called by God to be " light and salt". Two points are relevant in this discussion. One is that whether people around us accept it or not, whether they believe it or not, it is the "light and salt" of the Christian Community which keeps the world from being utterly corrupt and completely separated from God, and thus subject to God's wrath. Therefore Easter, the new life that we have in and through Christ brings a great responsibility.  The light of the believer must shine. It cannot remain hidden by  indifference to fallen humanity, struggling to find meaning and purpose in life. It cannot remain hidden because we are fearful, or on account of our selfish ambitions, or greed  or be guilty of those things which unbelievers strive for and  after - power, and pride and fame and fortune. The life of a believer, the Easter people  must be salt in a corrupt society, where injustice and corruption and immorality flourishes. Otherwise we will bring judgment upon ourselves, and our lives will be deemed to be worthless and fit only to be thrown away.

Hence Bonhoeffer used the Word of God to challenge his readers.

" You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16.

Thus in our long journey through Lent, learning about Christian Discipleship, subjecting ourselves to lenten disciplines of fasting, praying and doing good, denying ourselves of various pleasures, traveling with Jesus through the suffering and rejection of  Good Friday, waiting in vigil for His resurrection, we rejoice in this new day with new possibilities for our personal lives and that of the nation. One of the key things that our Rector drove home in a powerful sermon this morning is that, " because our God can raise the dead, we are a people of hope". Thus when things seem hopeless, when things seem impossible, when things cannot be explained or understood, we do not lose hope, as that is exactly the position that the disciples of Christ found themselves on the day of the Crucifixion. And even up until they encountered the " empty tomb" and heard these fateful words, from two witnesses, two angels of God,  that have changed history for ever. " Why are you looking for the living among the dead"?.

So as we continue to live in dread of the high murder rate  in our nation. As we continue to mourn with those who suffer loss. As we continue to grapple with huge economic problems occasioned by low productivity, owing too much money, anemic export performance,  profligate spending by successive administration over the years, a run-a-away  dollar ( worth almost  US 1 cent). As we continue to witness the growing number of prostitutes peddling their wares on the "Portmore backroad, and in high society in more sophisticated ways. As we continue to witness the growing number of "schoolers" who are becoming parents. As we continue " reap " the effects of the ill will generated between the two political parties over the years and which tribalism has  served to tear apart  communities  and promote the kind of internecine warfare which has contributed to the violence in our society.  We do not lose hope, because we know that God can and has raised the dead, to new life. So we are not to be guilty of looking for solutions, for salvation for ourselves and our country, from the " dead way of living" that the world offers. The dependence on police strategies.The dependence on the IMF. the dependence on the Private sector ingenuity and entrepreneurship. The dependence on the negotiating skills, and leadership skills and creative skills of    our political leaders. The dependence on the resurgence of the middle class and a new value system which will promote a new morality in our land. As important as all those things are! Rather we are to be assured by the Incarnation, the Death and Resurrection of Christ, that the God who created this world, has the power, loves His Created order, and has come to make all things new and will be with us forever. All because of Christ. This is the message of Easter to the believer and all who would seek to know the truth.

Evil and wickedness, pain and grief,  will not reign in Jamaica, or in the USA or in Syria forever. It will come to en end one day. All because Christ is risen. 

So for those of us, like me who spend this weekend praying, along with others,  without ceasing,  for someone close to me who is desperately ill, let us draw comfort from the fact that God can raise the dead, if He so choses. And even if He does not, we are called to trust Him and be confident in His power, and not to panic and fret, as that does not help anyone. And thank God on this day when we celebrate new life, He has shown that He has so  chosen.  And we place tomorrow into His very safe hands.

In the same way many of us who have been praying for our nation, and for more personal issues, perhaps financial, perhaps relational, perhaps related to the office environment, or the school, perhaps the grandchildren or the children, perhaps the devil is so powerful in the temptation you are facing, perhaps it is a loss of faith in God. Whatever!  Let us rest assured that God is able! And He has shown this by raising Jesus from the dead. All other calamities, be it the tragedy of sudden death from whatever reason, the tragedy of war, the tragedy of famine, the tragedy of rape, of HIV/AIDS, or injustice of whatever sort, Jesus suffered as much, and then  more and died, styled as a criminal, but lived a sinless life. And was indeed as the Roman guard cried out soon after Jesus died and supernatural things began to take place around him, " truly he was the Son of God".

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

So we continue to pray for each other, and for this nation and the nations of the world, for Nelson Mandela, for that little boy who lost his dad so tragically, so senselessly and so horrifyingly, and for the whole world, and for fallen humanity. With hope and faith in God as mirrored  in the words of the songwriter whose song was referenced by my rector Rev. Sirano Kitson this morning during his Easter sermon

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

And we close by praying according to the Word of God found in 2 Kings: 6-15. NIV

" When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ' Oh, my lord, what shall we do?' the servant asked.

' Don't be afraid', the prophet answered. ' This who are with us are more than those who are with them'.

And Elisha prayed, ' O Lord, open his eyes so he may see'. Then the Lord opened the servants eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

O God open the eyes of that brother, that sister, that husband, that wife, that child, that politician, that businessman or woman, that professional, that prostitute, that murderer, that rapist, that atheist, that agnostic, that con artist,  all of us dear Lord, that we  may all see ourselves around the cross of Christ. That we may hear Him cry out , " My, God, my God, why has thou forsaken me,  as the weight of our collective sins separated Him from the Father He had known before time was created. That we might hear Him cry out, " Father forgive them for they know not what they do".  That we may all be convicted of sin, the 'filthy  rags' that we all wear,  and thus feel  the need for salvation. And come to appreciate the grace that " saved a wretch like me". And then fall down and accept the forgiveness that  God in Christ offers on the Cross of calvary and worship and trust in God. And who knows how God may change this nation. And that nation. And that nation. All because of Easter. All because of the love of God that passeth all human understanding Amen!.

A Holy Week message: the Blood of Jesus is sufficient

PRAYER:  Lord renew thy church beginning with me;
Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s)

Quote: I read my Bible to see what men ought to do, and read the newspapers to see what men are doing.


MESSAGE:

The big news this week was President Obama's first official visit to Israel, where he again impressed upon both sides, the Jews and the Palestinians, the need for a fresh start to peace negotiations. This is a region where hardliners have ruled for many years thus sniffling any move towards  meaningful talks about peace.

Also in the news was the " haircut" demanded by the European Union as precondition for bailing out Cypriot banks. And this reduction, not in interest but in bank deposits held by locals and foreigner provoked a storm of protest and an overwhelming vote by the Parliament against such " madness". We are left to wonder what would have happened in Jamaica if the IMF had required a " haircut" in bondholders principal as was once rumored.

The situation in Syria continues be worrying as President Assad's forces continue to do battle with Syrian freedom fighters, resulting in much privation and death in that country.

Then just this morning in Jamaica, the headlines in one daily newspapers raised the issue of societal approval for the distribution of condoms to school children, as a result of the number of them in some areas who were becoming parents in school.

But trumping all other news locally and internationally, is the fact that today, Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most solemn period in the Christian calender  of events. A time when upwards of 2 Billion people across the globe, take time out to remember the Passion of Jesus Christ, culminating in Good Friday observances, the weekend vigil,  and then the glorious Easter Sunday. Thus heralding a time of celebrations, especially for those who had observed the discipline of a holy Lent.

What then did the Lord reveal as the world contemplated all these things?First a continuing word to a journalist, assorted leaders in different spheres of national life, and others in that profession, to whom the Lord has led me to write in recent times. The trigger for that message, is interesting as it marks the re-emergence in the Public Domain of one of our former Prime Ministers.

THE E -MAIL

I listened to former PM Bruce Golding on radio last evening, using one of the most famous quotes of all times to make a point at the start of his speech. " This is not the end. This is not even the beginning of the end, but just the end of the beginning" - Sir Winston Churchill. And whilst the former PM of Great Britain was focused on  a critical phase in the war against the evil Third Reich of Adolph Hitler during WW 11, our former PM had his eyes on the IMF negotiations and the implications for growth in the Jamaican economy - at a  critical phase in our nation's development.

This morning as I prepared for my devotions, I " heard the Lord" saying that there is an even more famous quote for a nation and indeed the world to consider, as we prepare for Passion Week starting tomorrow - the re-enactment of THE most critical phase in God's plan to rescue mankind from evil. The gospel of John records that, after Jesus had uttered another famous Word on the Cross, " I am thirsty", and having received  the bitter wine offered to him, " Jesus said, 'It is finished'."  John 19:30  NIV.

Done! All done. Never again to be repeated. Not the beginning of the end of the fight against all evil and the Sin which had kept all mankind captive for so long, but the very end. A done deal. Praise God indeed.

Then as I " listened to the Lord, I was led to these  words, quotes from  the Prophet Isaiah through whom God foretold the coming of the " salvation" of Israel and and indeed all mankind.

" Awake, awake!

Rise up, O Jerusalem,

you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord

the cup of his wrath,

you who have drained it to its dregs

the goblet that makes men stagger...........

Therefore hear this, you afflicted one,

made drunk, but not with wine.

This is what  your Sovereign Lord says,

your God,  who defends his people:

' See, I have taken out of your hand

the cup that that makes you stagger;

from that cup, the goblet of my wrath,

you will never drink again.....

Surely he took our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for  our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 51:17-53:6 NIV.

My friend, as you are provided an opportunity to take a break from reporting on the politics you love with such a passion ( small p),  and contemplate the Passion of our Lord;  the fact that, for all of us " who have turned to our own way", and thoroughly deserve to drink the cup of the wrath of a holy God, Jesus has taken away that cup for us. And so by his stripes we are healed. So that promise to the whole world declared from yesteryear through Isaiah, was fulfilled on that first Good Friday over 2000 years ago. All we have to do is believe and accept this free gift of salvation. I pray that you will give some thought to this " correct faith" during the week ahead.

Peace.

LWJ

cc  Bruce Golding

And then for quite a while  yesterday I was ' singing'  words I 'heard',  and then listened on YouTube......Take up your cross and follow Jesus......don't be afraid to say that you know him.

Sent from my iPad

Comment: The most profound gift that the Christian church offers the world is that, no matter what challenges confront us, whether in the Middle East, in Europe, in the USA,  or in Jamaica; whether it be a moral issue, an economic issue or a political one, in terms of access to the Almighty God, and His desire that all mankind who He created, should follow His will, all issues have been resolved on the Cross of Calvary. It's all done. And all that we are required to do is to believe on His Son and our lives will be filled with an assurance of peace, and a promise of deliverance,  even when we are confronted by many and varied challenges

For a couple of weeks now  I have been led to read, reflect on and pray according to the words of one of the most wonderful hymns in all of Christendom. It's a hymn we use in the Anglican church as we prepare for, or whilst partaking of the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion. And  I just read in Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship, that The Apostles teaching which guides the church, places a high priority on a) Preaching the Word, and  b) Participating in the two great sacraments of the church - Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. As we read the words of the hymn below and reflect on them, note carefully the basis on which all believing prayers ascend right up to throne of heaven - the one true pure immortal sacrifice. Noe carefully also the reason why we can approach a holy God - only by the Blood of Christ. Note also that the recollection of the events of Good Friday and the that of Easter Sunday form the only basis on which we can carry, not just our friends, but equally so those who persecute us, into the presence of God. Note also, that it is the participation in this sacrifice of God why we can be delivered from every touch of ill, and every stain of sin. Praise God.

AND NOW , O FATHER, MINDFUL OF THE LOVE
THAT BROUGHT US, ONCE FOR ALL, ON CALVARY'S TREE,
AND HAVING WITH US HIM THAT PLEADS ABOVE,
WE HERE PRESENT, WE HERE SPREAD FORTH TO THEE
THAT ONLY OFFERING PERFECT IN THINE EYES
THE ONE TRUE, PURE, IMMORTAL SACRIFICE.

LOOK, FATHER, LOOK ON HIS ANOINTED FACE,
AND ONLY LOOK ON US AS FOUND IN HIM;
LOOK NOT ON OUR MISUSING OF THY GRACE,
OUR PRAYER SO LANGUID, AND OUR FAITH SO DIM;
FOR LO! BETWEEN OUR SINS AND THEIR REWARD
WE SET THE PASSION OF THY SON OUR LORD.

AND THEN FOR THOSE, OUR DEAREST AND OUR BEST,
BY THIS PREVAILING PRESENCE WE APPEAL;
O FOLD THEM CLOSER TO THY MERCY'S BREAST,
O DO THINE UTMOST FOR THEIR SOUL'S TRUE WEAL;
FROM TAINTING MISCHIEF KEEP THEM WHITE AND  CLEAR,
AND CROWN THY GIFTS WITH STRENGTH TO PERSEVERE.

AND SO WE COME; O DRAW US TO THY FEET, 
MOST PATIENT SAVIOUR, WHO CANST LOVE US STILL;
AND BY THIS FOOD, SO AWEFUL AND SO SWEET,
DELIVER US FROM EVERY TOUCH OF ILL:
IN THINE OWN SERVICE MAKE US GLAD AND FREE,
AND GRANT US NEVER MORE TO PART FROM THEE.

Finally, a few weeks ago whilst reflecting on this very hymn, it triggered a message from the Lord, this time to leaders in my church. A message which goes deep down into the soul and culture of our people, and which practice we could do well to emulate.

THE E-MAIL

The poor and the destitute in this land, use the term " placing everything  under the Blood ( of Jesus)", as their way of saying that they trust completely in the Crucified One for all their needs.  As I was reminded in my office yesterday. We Anglicans may not speak like that, or pray like that,  but whenever we celebrate the blessed Sacrament, as the hymn writer says, " And then for our dearest and our best, by this prevailing presence we appeal", by this Blessed Sacrament we can appeal to God for mercy. And by no other means.

This morning as I read one the passages of Scripture which has touched my heart, time and time again every time I am led there, and then reflected on the words of the hymn below, I was moved to place all those who are " under my tent" the entire world, " under the Blood of Jesus". I pray God that we will all be touched by the Word and " beyond the sacred word' as Bishop Daniel often says. And leave languid prayers and dim faith behind as we appeal by " The Blood of Christ" to God Almighty for ourselves, our dearest and our best, our church and our embattled nation

" But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord., for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3: 7-11. NIV

Amen.