God's Word Is Clear Enough.

This passage came up in my reading today in the 365 Day Bible

Revelation 21:6-8 (New International Version, ©2010)

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”


Just as God finished the work of creation in Genesis 2, and Jesus finished the work of redemption (John 19:30) so the Trinity will finish the entire plan of salvation by inviting the redeemed into the new creation.

The cowardly mentioned here are those who fear persecution and so give in to it.

On the other hand we see that people who overcome - "stand firm until the end". They will receive all the blessings that God has promised.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark

There Is A New Year Coming.

We have almost made it again to a new year! Is your mind on what the New Year may bring? Or are the events of the year just past still weighing on you?

God's words through the prophet Isaiah looked forward to the future;

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19).

This encourages us not to dwell on what's happened before, be it good or bad. Rather, we are urged to focus on what God is doing in the present, and what he will do in the future. Isaiah was ultimately referring to the coming of Jesus, since the salvation He brings is the 'new thing' which the Israelites in exile were looking forward to.

For us, we know right now the joy of living in relationship with God. Our sins have been blotted out and are remembered no more, because of Jesus' work on the cross (Isaiah 43:25). However, we should also remember that the 'new thing' which God promises won't be fully realised until heaven.

TFTD: Are you able to forget the former things, and not dwell on the past? Are you able to see the 'new things' which God is doing, and will do? Let us be encouraged by our present relationship with Jesus, and the promise of heaven, as we move into this New Year.


"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away..."Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God...""
Revelation 21:1,3 (NIV)

Have a great day,


Peter Clark
(reprinted from the bible Society Newsletter)

More of What God Wants.....

Our obedience.

Psalm 15

Psalm 15
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

More of What God Wants.....

1 John 3:11-18 (New International Version, ©2010)


11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

TDTD: We are to love God and our neighbours.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

What Makes God Happy!

Psalm 147:11 (New International Version, ©2010)


11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.

The Lord delights in those who fear him - that doesn't mean frightened - but rather those who respect and hold him in awe AND put their hope in His unfailing love.

TFTD: That is not too much to ask is it?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Amen To That!

Zechariah 12:5 (New International Version, ©2010)

5 Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.’


The people of God are strong because the LORD Almighty is their God.

Amen to that.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Christmas Day.

Here we are...Christmas Day already.

Why did Jesus come?

Have you a short answer to that question?

Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Have a great day.

Peter Clark.

When Problems Come...

Of course there will be difficulties....and difficult people.

What is to be our strategy for them?


Revelation 14:12 (New International Version, ©2010)

12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

In the End...Who Does It?

This morning we had the third of our newly established Parish Prayer Meetings.

It was a real joy - to see the faithful gathered to acknowledge God as the leader of our Church.

When I came home after that I read my 365 day Bible for today....and I was reminded of this...


Zechariah 4:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.


TFTD: What is going to happen at St Marys in the future? Only what the Spirit of God causes to happen.

There will no doubt be some hindrances also...more about that tomorrow morning.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Do We Pray....Or Do We Go To The Doctor?

This morning I was challenged by my reading God's Word again.

Ezra 8:22-23

22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Here we have the people returning to Jerusalem to rebuild. They had told the King (rightly) that God will look after them and so they feel as though they cannot ask for troops to protect them on the way.

On the horns of a dilemma.

Are not we often on the same horns of a dilemma?

Do we walk through a bad part of the city late at night, trusting that God will protect us, or, do we stay away?

Do we use the medical help available, or trust that God will heal us, and/or keep us in good health?

It seems to me that God has given common sense or wisdom to use...and we should use it as well as trusting God and relying on Him to use agents such as Doctors etc.

What do you think?


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Three Things The Lord Does...

There are many things that the Lord does.....but in my reading this morning I was reminded of three of them.

They come from Psalm145 - verses 13, 19 & 20.

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.


The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

TFTD: What a great God we have.

Peter Clark.

How Much Do We Need?

How much do we need?

Given that we treat money as an idol we must be very careful with our attitude to it.

I came across this passage on 10th December in my 365 day Bible.

It is from Proverbs 30

7-9 And then he prayed, "God, I'm asking for two things
before I die; don't refuse me—
Banish lies from my lips
and liars from my presence.
Give me enough food to live on,
neither too much nor too little.
If I'm too full, I might get independent,
saying, 'God? Who needs him?'
If I'm poor, I might steal
and dishonor the name of my God."

TFTD:Be warned....it is just so easy to get out of balance with our attitude to money.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

What Else Does God Want?

He wants love.


1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


1 John 3:11-18

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark

More Of What God Wants.....

....God also wants faith-Hebrews 11:1-12


1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

What God Wants....

There are eight very clear things that God desires from us....

One is commitment.

See 2 Timothy 4:1-8

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Can you suggest what the other seven things might be?

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Only Christ Can Do It!

I am reading through Revelation and I am up to chapter 5.

In his vision John sees a scroll being handed to the One sitting on the throne.

In John's day, books were written on scrolls made out of papyrus or vellum. They could be up to 10 metres long. When they were rolled up they were sealed with wax or clay.

The scroll that John sees contains the record of what God has in stall for the world. There are 7 seals located throughout the scroll - as each seal is broken the next phase of God's plan will be revealed.

There is, however, no-one worthy to break the seals except Jesus - and the reason for that is Jesus' perfect obedience to God, dying on the cross and rising to new life - showing us his power over death, sin, hell and Satan himself.

We can be very thankful for that.

have a great day,


Peter Clark.

True Worship

In Revelation 4 John has a vision of the 24 elders gathered around God's throne worshipping Him by saying (in v.11)....

“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.”


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Watch What You Say.

There is some good advice for us in these two verse of Psalm 141.

3-4 Post a guard at my mouth, God,
set a watch at the door of my lips.
Don't let me so much as dream of evil
or thoughtlessly fall into bad company.
And these people who only do wrong—
don't let them lure me with their sweet talk!

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

The True Character Of Our God.

The true character of our God is to call us, love and in Revelation chapter 3 and verse 20 we have that lovely picture of Him standing at the door of our lives wanting to come in and be a part of our lives - but not forcing Himself on us.


20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

What Does God Want From Us?

I have been reading Revelation.

In chapter 2 and verse 26 it says this...

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—

There are a couple of things to say about this...

God wants us to be there - still following Him at the end - don't ever, ever give up.

Secondly, we need to be doing His will - not our own thing!

Thirdly, if we do that then we will have some sort of role in eternity.

TFTD: Pretty cool eh?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

God Knows!

In Revelation 2 we read this:

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

God knew these Christians who lived in Ephesus intimately.

2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people

It is not too much of a stretch to say that God knows us just as well.

TFTD: How do you feel about that? What changes does that make for your behaviour and attitudes?

Have a great day,

Peter Clark

Past And Present.

In my daily readings I am up to the Revelation of John.

In the opening verses vs 5,6 of Chapter 1 we have a succinct summary of what Jesus has accomplished in us and for us.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,


and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Stick At Your Faith To The End.

You might not think so....but it is so easy to give up on one's faith.

I have seen people who you would never imagine would fall away....but they they.

We then have to be so very careful in these "last days"

Jude 1:17-23 (The Message)

17-19But remember, dear friends, that the apostles of our Master, Jesus Christ, told us this would happen: "In the last days there will be people who don't take these things seriously anymore. They'll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts." These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There's nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit!

20-21But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

22-23Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

When We Want To Stop....

....being lonely....

....read Psalm 23....

1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.

Have a fantastic day,


Peter Clark

By My Spirit

Most people would believe that to survive and thrive in our world you need to be strong, tough...harsh even.

God says no to that common, prevailing "wisdom".

God says in Zechariah (that is what I am up to today in my readings) 4:6 " Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit"

The key words are "by my Spirit".

It is only through God's Spirit that anything lasting can be accomplished.

TFTD: That is a good thing for me to be reminded of as I start up in this new Parish of Waverley.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Continuing To Sin?

The Bible says that if we are "born of God" that we will not continue to sin.....

.....1 John 5:18.

Does that mean that we really have no excuse?

We will sin of course....but will we continue in sin?

Food for thought.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

This Is Amazing.

Have a close look at this....written by Daniel many thousands of years before Christ.

Daniel 12:1-3

1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. brightness

This is Daniel writing about the end times, with a reference to the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. At this time teaching on the resurrection was not common.

But here it is. Daniel was a man before his time.

TFTD: We are to make sure that we are on the "right side" of the resurrection.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark

You Can Be Sure.

There are so many people who have doubts about their eternal destination.

There is no need for that.....

.......God has told us that we can be SURE about our eternal life.

1 John 5:13

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life"

Have a great day,


Peter Clark

Coming Out A Winner.

How do we finish our time on this earth as a winner?

1 John 5:5

"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

How Are We To Love God?

1 John 5:3

"This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome."

It is not as complex as we may have thought or been told.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

A Definitive Answer For Jewish People.

Daniel 12:11-12

"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days."

Do the maths.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

More On Love....

Carrying on from yesterday we see another outworking of Jesus coming to live among us....

....we are to "live through Him"

It is only Jesus that makes it possible for us to LIVE....really LIVE.

Until we are in Christ and living for Him and for others...then we will never really know what it means to LIVE.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

How Can We Know What Love Is?

Years ago there used to be a popular song "do you know what love is?"

As Bible believing Christians we can say "YES".....

1 John 3:16

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Real love is demonstrated by Jesus dying for us - "while we were still sinners".

What that means for us ....is that we are to live for others (and not just for ourself).

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Are You Hated?

If you are hated...or treated with some sort of distain....should we be surprised?

1 John 3:13

13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

And so, we will probably be hurt....especially when it often comes from ones who love us....but we should not be surprised.

Just keep loving them back...no matter what.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Why Did Jesus Bother?

Good question....why would Jesus bother leaving the riches of heaven and perfect fellowship with the Father?

This is why...

1 John 3:5

5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

That is why Jesus came.....so that our sins might be forgiven.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Can People Be Recreated?

If I didn't believe that I wouldn't be a minister of the Gospel - of course God makes people new.

1 The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” Ezekiel 37:1-3

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

How Does God "Choose" Us?

Don't we make our own choices?

Yes and no.

Our salvation comes completely from God and His grace - we do not deserve it.

Being "chosen" does not remove the need for us to choose to follow Christ.

God knows everything about us - the events we will be involved in - the decisions that we will make.

There is no forcing into action, or leaving people without a choice.

God knows His people perfectly, and knows who will believe.

Isn't this all hard.......it is another area that tests our faith!

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

We Have Been Chosen.

We have been chosen. This is not a popular theology, but in any plain reading of Scripture, this is what it says.

At one time, only the nation of Israel could claim to be chosen, but now through Christ all believers - both Jew and Gentile belong to Christ.

This means that our salvation rests very firmly on God's merciful choice.

Nothing can separate us from Him.

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Don't Think Of Yourself Too Highly.

Psalm 131 came up in my readings the other day. There was a good reminder.

1 My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.

Pride comes from overvaluing ourselves and undervaluing others.

This makes us dissatisfied with life and restless.

It is much better to take the advice of v.3.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

We Can Fly Like A Bird...

Isaiah 40:31 (New International Version)

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Lord, Continue To Teach Me This....

Zechariah 4:6 (New International Version)

6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

I Love This Verse.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (New International Version)

9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Helping With The Slough Of Despond.

Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Have You Ever Noticed This Verse?

Luke 1:78 (New International Version)


78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

How Do We Get Through The Day?

Romans 8:26-27 (New International Version)

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Special Prayer

The Collect for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost knocked my socks off.

Almighty and everlasting God,
give to us the increase of faith, hope and love;
and, that we may obtain what you promise,
make us to love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Do this, and you will have a good day,


Peter Clark.

A Job Description For A Minister.

I wonder if any ministers wonder what they are supposed to be doing?

Perhaps some never even give it a thought. How sad!

Paul tells the young Timothy....

2 Timothy 4:2 (New International Version)

2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Or, to put it another way (from the Message version)

1-2I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Description Of The Last Days.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (New International Version)

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

It could be today, couldn't it.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

The Role Of Ordained Ministry.

2 Timothy 1:11 (New International Version)

11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Be Not Ashamed.

2 Timothy 1

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,

There was good reason for Timothy to be reluctant to share the gospel. This was a time of severe persecution. Paul was already in prison and Timothy would follow in the years to come (Hebrews 13:23).

Paul tells Timothy to expect suffer for the gospel of Christ. God's Holy Spirit will give him courage.

TFTD: Don't be ashamed to testify to your personal faith in Christ.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Cranking Up Our Christian Living!

This morning I read 2 Timothy 1:1-18. I came across a number of gems that I will share over the next couple of days.

First, Paul reminds Timothy to "fan intro flame the gift of God" (v.6)

Timothy had already received the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Timothy 4:14. He did not need new revelations or new gifts, but rather he needed the courage and self discipline to use the gifts that he already had.

What he needed to do was to step out and proclaim what he already knew. He needed to overcome his timidity and employ "the spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

TFTD: How are you going to step up your Christian witness? By employing what you have already been given.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

A Day In The Life Of Vladimer.

This was in the FEBC's Prayer Diary. What a great work they do.

"I am not a Christian but I listen to your programs every day. They give me strength and wisdom and I learn something new and apply it in my life."

Vladimer is from Saratov.

Lets pray that Vladimer and others like him, will come to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Some Things Never Change!

What is important? To know that God never changes and that we are not to be distracted.

Hebrews 13:8-9 (New International Version)

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.



Have a good day,


Peter clark.

Jesus Is Coming Back...But You Shouldn't Be Surprised.

Yesterday, I reminded you that Jesus is coming back - 1 Thessalonians 5:2

2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.


Paul goes on to write...


4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.



Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Jesus Is Coming Back.

Yes He is....and it is described as the "day of the Lord". That is exactly what it will be. the total focus of everyone in the whole world will be on the Lord.

Some will be pleased.

Some will be disappointed.

It will happen at a time that surprises all.


1 Thessalonians 5:2 (New International Version)

2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

One Of My Favourite Proverbs.

This is one of my favourite Proverbs. I am not guilty of this today....God willing, Heather and I will be starting off this morning on a 5 day trek in Nepal.


Proverbs 24:33-34 (New International Version)

33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

You have a good day too.

Peter Clark.

God's Calls Us To......

1 Thessalonians 4:7 (New International Version)

7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

The Things We Do.

As Paul writes to the Thessalonians he mentions that their faith is known about everywhere.

What is it that everyone knew about the Thessalonians?

Chapter 1 verse 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Have a good day,

Peter Clark

Faith, Hope & Love

I came across this in my reading this morning. Isn't it amazing how in the Bible you can always find something new....

....some new blessing.

2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Can You Say This?

Jeremiah 20:9

".....his word is in my heart like a fire....."


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

The Gospel In A Nutshell.

Colossians 1:21-23 (New International Version)

21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Being Called By God Means.....

I found the answer to this question this morning when I read this passage in my 365 day Bible.

You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.


17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.

19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.




Have a great day,


Peter Clark

A Good Start....A Good Finish.

Here is one thing we can be very sure of....

Philippians 1:6 (New International Version)

6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Escaping God's Displeasure.

How do we do that? My daily Bible reading has been in Zephaniah and in chapter 1 and verse 6 I came across the answer...

... 6 those who turn back from following the LORD
and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.

And so to escape God's displeasure it is important to us not to turn our back on following God and to continually seek Him and ask Him to lead and guide us.

In new covenant (Jesus) times that means not rejecting Jesus as our Saviour and trust Him as Lord...to lead us in our life.

A very good formula.


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Please Pray For Me.

What would I like you to pray for me?


Ephesians 6:19-20 (New International Version)

19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Do you think that it is easy to fearlessly make know the gospel....when you have people who you love sitting in front of you....who you have to "live" with....who you would hope, that they keep on liking me (I am only human)?

Paul knew that it wasn't easy.....but necessary.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Dressing Up For God!

When it comes to God....it is very important how we dress....not on the outside....but on the inside.

Ephesians 6:10-17 (New International Version)

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Have s great day,

Peter Clark.

Taking Hold Of What Is Important.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (New International Version)

Paul's Charge to Timothy

11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul encourages Timothy not to worry about gathering wealth, but to pursue the things that will lead to what really matters:

Faith, righteousness, godliness, love, endurance and gentleness.

If we do this then we will in Paul's words....."take hold of the life that really is life." (v.19)

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Contentment - A Great Blessing.

The epistle reading a few Sundays ago was from 1 Timothy 6 verses 6-19. I was greatly blessed by it.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

It is good to by GODLY and CONTENTED. It is best to be both, not just one or the other.

Paul reminds Timothy that just as we brought nothing into the world....we can take nothing out and so while we are here if we have food and clothing...that is all we need (and more than most in the world have!).

Those who have as their goal in life to be rich are in danger of falling into ruin and destruction.

Those who have as their goal in life to be rich are in danger of wandering away from the faith

Then, if the whole point of their lives has been to accumulate, what do they have at the end....nothing to take with them.


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Appreciate Australia.

If you thought that you have read this post before...very well done. I am doing a little tidying up as I found this one and another posted on the same day.

Sometimes I need to be reminded of how great it is to live in Australia. today in the Prayer Diary for the Bible Society there was an entry for today.

"Thank God for his protection during difficult times. Our bookshop in xxxxxxx has survived two attacks and is still doing God's work. Praise him, too, for opportunities to participate in book fairs, our main way of sharing God's Word. Please pray for the safety of the small Christian community trying to survive and be a witness for the Word of God. Please pray also for our funding this time of financial crisis.

Some are doing it really tough.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

God WANTS To, And CAN Answer Our Prayers.

This came as a reminder from the Bible Society.

In considering the practice of prayer, how important is it that we take time to remind ourselves of who God is, and what He is like? Oswald Chambers said that "The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies: wandering thoughts and lack of intimacy with God's character as revealed in His word." E M Bounds observed, "the Word of God is the food by which prayer is nourished and made strong."

One place to which we can turn is the Psalms, which are full of God's greatness, power, sovereignty, justice and compassion. We see that God is faithful to His promises, and loving toward all he has made. He upholds those who fall and are bowed down; He is righteous in all his ways, and near to all who call on Him. He watches those who love Him (Psalm 145:13-20). So the Psalmist cries out, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147:5). It is so helpful to keep in mind that we should "... pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." (Oswald Chambers)


"He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth - the LORD God Almighty is His name."
Amos 4:13 (NIV)

Have a great day,


Peter Clark

Paul Prays Six Things For The Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (New International Version)

I pray that out of his glorious riches(1) he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17(2)so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray (3)that you, being rooted and established in love, 18(4)may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19(5)and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—(6)that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Powerful stuff isn't it?

Do you pray like that?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Paul's Description Of His Role.

Ephesians 3:8 ".......... this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."

Paul had a very clear picture of what he was on about...once he knew that....he could then go out and do it.

I would like to think that I too have a very clear picture of my role.


Have a good day,

Peter Clark.

Paul's Description Of Himself.

Paul describes himself in Ephesians 3:7

"I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power."

Well said Paul.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Remove The Obstacles!

There is a programme (or more accurately a way of "doing church") to help churches be more healthy.

It is called "Natural Church Development" - www.ncd-australia.org.au

It works on 30 people from the church doing a survey which is interpreted against the date of hundreds of thousands of other churches who have completed the survey.

It scores eight characteristics of a healthy church and the idea is that the church then begins to work on the characteristic that gained the lowest score, by removing the obstacles that are inhibiting that characteristic.

That gets me to my reading this morning: Isaiah 57;14 "Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Real Religious Observance!

In Isaiah 58, the prophet is recording the words of God, about the nature of "true fasting".

The people as doing "religious things" - in this case "fasting", but their lives show no real piety. They are exploiting workers, quarrelling with each other, hitting each other and so on.

The fasting the people were doing was not the kind of fasting God was after - not the showy public religious theatre, but rather a life of true devotion to God, showing itself in acts of kindness.

TFTD: We need to take stock of our religious activity,repent of falsity, dump it, and turn it into a life lived for God.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

What Does The Future Hold For You?

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.



Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Rely On God Only And Constantly.

God is very critical of the Israelites. In Chapter 57 of Isaiah He says He will expose their righteousness and acts for what they are - pretensions of doing good.

Isaiah was warning them that their righteousness and works would no more save them, than their false idols.

What they need to do was to make God their refuge.

But the man who makes me his refuge
will inherit the land
and possess my holy mountain." (Isaiah 57:13c)

The message from God has never changed: Even our best deeds cannot save us - because they will NEVER outweigh our sins.

Salvation is a gift from God, and comes only through us putting our faith in Christ.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Only Grace Through Faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version)

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Made Alive In Christ.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (New International Version)

4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

When Believers Are Taken To God.

It always hurts when our loved ones go to be with God.

We ask, why?

Isaiah gives us a glimpse into this mystery.

Isaiah 57

1 The righteous perish,
and no one ponders it in his heart;
devout men are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.

2 Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

In The End....God Wins.

How great it is to know that God's Word always achieves its purpose.

Isaiah 55:11 (The Message)

So will the words that come out of my mouth
not come back empty-handed.
They'll do the work I sent them to do,
they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

TFTD: Isn't that good to know


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Who Is To Fit In With Who?

Is God to fit in with our plans OR are we to fit in with God?

In Isaiah 55 it seems that God's people were wanting Him to fit in with them.


8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

TFTD: Are you fitting into God's plans for you?


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Responding To God.

I was greatly blessed by this piece of Scripture. I have created bold type for the responses the prophet encourages us to make to God.

Isaiah 55:1-7 (New International Version)

1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Words To Say AND Protection.

Isaiah 51:16 (New International Version)

16 I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow of my hand—
I who set the heavens in place,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' "

Here were God's people struggling under the shadow of Babylon, the great power.

They needed reminding of the sovereignty of God.

TFTD: We need to be reminded sometimes of the power of God in our lives...He does put His words into our mouth...and He does cover us with His protection.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Some Things Never Change.

Isaiah 51:6 (New International Version)

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.

Just like our bodies....the earth too will wear out...just like a pair of old jeans.

Not so with God though..... He is eternal....His salvation is forever....and so is His righteousness.

Truly amazing.


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

More Hope.

I have already blogged on "hope" from last Sunday evening.

I came across this today..another good reminder from Isaiah 49:23

Then you will know that I am the LORD;
those who hope in me will not be disappointed."

TFTD: Those who hope in me (the Lord) will not be disappointed.

Do not set yourself up for disappointment......hope in the Lord.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

God's Tatoo!

It is just simply overwhelming and amazing. In my reading today there were nine separate blessings from God - reminders, new insights etc.

Let me share one.

God's tatoo....Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands"

How is God ever going to forget about us? Impossible....we are forever before Him.

TFTD: How good is that?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Left, Right,Left, Right,Left, Right....

Galatians 5:25


25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.


The Holy Spirit is the source of our new life....we must not forget that....but rather, we should be keeping in step with Him.

Have a good day,

Peter Clark.

Lives That Show Fruit.

My daily readings are taking me through Galatians.

I was reminded fo the "fruit of the Spirit" in Chapter 5....

..."love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control..."

TFTD: Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Hope.

Last Sunday evening we looked at "hope" in our evening service.

The Bible passage we were considering was Isaiah 25:6-9.

Isaiah 25:6-9 (New International Version)

6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.

7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;

8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove the disgrace of his people
from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.

9 In that day they will say,
"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."

This is a passage that speaks very strongly about the hope that we can in God.

It is a passage that has the end times in view. It talks of a feast prepared by God Himself. It talks of the shadow of gloom that hangs over people and nations being lifted. It talks of there being no death, or tears or disgrace.

It talks about (at that time) our hope being gathered up into reality....

9-10Also at that time, people will say,
"Look at what's happened! This is our God!
We waited for him and he showed up and saved us!
This God, the one we waited for!
Let's celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation.

TFTD: We hope now, but in the future it will come home.


Have a great day ,


Peter Clark.

Pray For North Korea.

Please pray with members of the Bible Society for North Korea.

North Korea continues to take actions that heighten tension and increase its isolation.

It is also neglecting the welfare of its people who are suffering from extreme poverty, famine and illness.

They are also deprived of religious freedom.

Christianity is forbidden and people are dying without hearing the Gospel.

Pray for God to open the door so that this country may again be filled with people who honour Him and love His Word.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

The Goal Posts Never Move!!

Hebrews 13:8-9 (New International Version)

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

TFTD: How good is it that Jesus doesn't have moods that we have to fit into

Have a good day,



Peter Clark.

Emphasising What Is Important.

Galatians 2:16 (New International Version)

16know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

We Are Not Getting Any Older!

Isaiah 40:29-31 (New International Version)

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

The Role Of The Clergy.

Surely our role as clergy is to follow the pattern of relationships of our living God.

In Isaiah 40 we have the pattern of Christ.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

There Is One Thing That Lasts!

Isaiah 40:7-8 (New International Version)

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."

We must remember that.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Self Interest!

In my reading of Isaiah, this morning I read the account of Hezekiah (Isaiah 38 & 39).

In many ways he was a man of faith....to the extent that when he become ill, he prayed to God and had his life extended by 15 years and experienced the sign of seeing the sun move backwards by 10 steps.

He makes the mistake of "showing off" all of his treasures to Babylonian envoys.

Isaiah foretells (on behalf of God) that he will have all those treasures taken away from him, and even some of his descendants will be taken away to Babylon and made eunuchs.

Hezekiah's response.....

Isaiah 39:8 (New International Version)

8 "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime."

How is that for self interest?

TFTD:Let us not get caught up in so blatant selfishness.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Something We Can Always Do.

When we are in trouble, the thing that is obvious to do, doesn't always occur to us....

Psalm 106:28 reminds us.

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

What Is Important For Paul?

Paul certainly came up against opposition in his ministry....as we all do.

What was the bottom line for Paul? What was it that he couldn't compromise?

See Chapter 2 Verse 5....


5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.


What was important for Paul was the "truth of the gospel" not be compromised.


Have a good day,

Peter Clark.

Great Things FOR God...Come FROM God!

How do great things for God happen?

In Isaiah 37 - at an absolute low point in Israel's life - Jerusalem's deliverance is foretold. We see in verse 32.....

32 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.

How is this ever going to happen?

The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Saved...But What From?

My daily readings have now moved from Corinthians to Galatians and I was reminded in the opening verses of Chapter 1 what we have been saved from.

Galatians 1:3-5 (New International Version)

3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Message puts it like this:

So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!

We are rescued from the power of this evil age - a world in which there is immense sadness, cruelty, temptation and death.

We are not taken out of the world, but we are no longer enslaved to it.

It is now possible for us to live for God.

TFTD: Are you doing that?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Where Does Your Help Come From?

In Isaiah's time the people of Israel were in trouble - world powers were bearing down on them.

What should they do? Where should they go for help?

An alliance with Egypt?

Dong! Wrong choice.

Isaiah 31:1 (New International Version)


1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
or seek help from the LORD.

What they did wrong...and it was a bad mistake....they did not look to God or seek help from Him.

TFTD:God wants us to rely on Him and have Him direct our lives.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

God - Never Far Away.

How great it is to know that God is never far away.

He is NEVER out of earshot.

I was reminded of that the other day as I read Isaiah 30 and verse 19.

"How gracious God will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you."

There used to be a saying going around, "If God seems far away....guess who has moved."

TFTD: Never doubt God's willingness or ability to respond to our prayers.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

What Do We Want From Our Preachers?

Isaiah was not a popular prophet. Why? Because he spoke truth.

God's people would have much preferred to hear pleasant things, nice things, not confronting things...

Isaiah 30:9-11 (New International Version)

9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children,
children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction.

10 They say to the seers,
"See no more visions!"
and to the prophets,
"Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things,
prophesy illusions.

11 Leave this way,
get off this path,
and stop confronting us
with the Holy One of Israel!"

How sad it is when this moves , from the mind, to speech and then to action in some way.

TFTD: What do we want from our preachers? Surely, we want to be confronted with God's truth.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Too Big For Our Boots.

We have to be very careful to get the order of our relationship right.

I read this last Sunday.

Isaiah 29:16 (New International Version)

Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"?
Can the pot say of the potter,
"He knows nothing"?

God is the potter and we are the clay. We are shaped by God to worship and serve Him.

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

All Words....No Living!

One of the complaints that God levelled against His people (through Isaiah in chapter 29) was that they had their words right, but they didn't have their hearts or their life right.

13 The Lord says:
"These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men.

TFTD: We have to be very careful that we don't talk the talk without walking the walk.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

"Faith is........."

"We Christians believe that life is created and shaped by God and that the life of faith is a daily exploration of the constant and countless ways in which God's grace and love are experienced.

Psalm 121, learned early and sung repeatedly in the walk with Christ, clearly defines the conditions under which we live out our discipleship - which, in a word, is God. Once we get this psalm in our hearts it will be impossible for us to gloomily suppose that being a Christian is an unending battle against ominous forces that at any moment may break through and overpower us. Faith is not a precarious affair of chance escape from satanic assaults. It is the solid, massive, secure experience of God, who keeps all evil from getting inside us, who guards our life, who guards us when we leave and when we return, who guards us now, who guards us always."

"A Long Obedience In The Same Direction (Discipleship in an Instant Society) by Eugene H Peterson

Stick To God's Word.

"But to deviate from the truth for the sake of some prospect of hope
of our own can never be wise, however slight that deviation may be.

It is not our judgement of the situation
which can show us what is wise,
but only the truth of the Word of God.

Here alone lies the promise of God's faithfulness and help.

It will always be true that the wisest course for the disciple
is always to abide solely by the Word of God in all simplicity."

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

Do You Know Your Future?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

God has our future in His hands. There is no need to doubt that - and what good hands to be in.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Be Careful What You Pray For.

In a moment of frustration I prayed for a new ministry. I told God that I would go where He wanted me.

He answered my prayer....now I am excited and a little scared of the big task ahead of me.

(I have also had the promise that He will be with me - that is for another day)

I am not regretting what God is doing in my life, but the point here is that we do have to be careful what we pray for.

Psalm 106:15 (New International Version)

15 So he gave them what they asked for....


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Two Bad Mistakes!

I wrote about Psalm 106 a couple of days ago - but there is another two verses that stood out....

.....verse 13

But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his counsel.

Bad move.

Forgetting what God has done in the past AND failing to wait on His direction.

I personally am stronger on the first of these, than I am on the second. I am learning to be more patient to wait on God for His direction.

TFTD: How are you going, remembering what God has accomplished in your life AND waiting on Him to lead and direct you....waiting for His advice and leading?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Let Me See That!

In my reading through the Bible, the passage today included Psalm 106.

In verse 8 the Psalmist is recounting being saved from Egypt.


Psalm 106:8 (New International Version)

8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.


I yearn for God to do that - to make his mighty power known....and of course He is doing that every day in our lives and in the lives around us.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Drop By Drop!

The story of Lot in Genesis helps us to understand how sin creeps up on us....

Step by step....inch by inch.....

That is how it happens....it can happen so slowly that we might not realise what is happening.

In Lot's case (starting in Genesis 13) as it is with us....character is shown by the choices we make.

When offered some land (which Abraham shouldn't have offered and given away) Lot takes the best....even though it meant living near Sodom. This was a city renowned for its sin.

This was the start of a series of bad choices by Lot.

We see in verse 10 of chapter 13 that Lot LOOKED.

Next, he pitches his tent NEAR Sodom (verse12)

A little further on (in verse 12) we see that he is LIVING IN Sodom.

Finally, his slide is complete. In chapter 19 and verse 1 "Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city".

This was the meeting place for the city officials and business leaders to meet. Lot must have been a person of influence and authority.

Perhaps this was why Lot was reluctant to leave Sodom.

TFTD: We have to be very careful of the very gentle slide that leads us away from God and into sin.


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Last Sunday's Collect.

O God,
you know us to be set in the midst
of so many and so great dangers
that by reason of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
grant to us such strength and protection
as may support us in all dangers
and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Goal We Must Have!

This morning, reading from Isaiah 10 I stumbled across the goal that God desires for each of us to have....

Isaiah 10:20 (New International Version)


20 In that day the remnant of Israel,
the survivors of the house of Jacob,
will no longer rely on him
who struck them down
but will truly rely on the LORD,
the Holy One of Israel.

TFTD: To what degree do you rely on the Lord?


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Generosity - A Great Trait To Have!

Friends, work on being generous. You don't have to be rich to be generous. It is possible to be generous with whatever you have.

In 2 Corinthians 8:1,2 Paul wrote this:


1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

TFTD:How are you doing on the generosity scale?


Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

A Good Summary For Living.

Psalm 105:1-5 (New International Version)


1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Don't Ever Do This!

Don't ever do what?

What the Corinthians did.


2 Corinthians 6

1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Sadly, they ignored God's message. They heard it, but it had no effect on their lives.

TFTD:Does God's message ever reach you in vain?

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Reconciled!

God has acted - to bring us back into a relationship with Him.

He has forgiven our sins and made us righteous in the process.

The moment we put our trust in Christ, we ceased being offside with God, stopped being His enemy, we were no longer a stranger or a foreigner to Him.

Having that happen to us...it means that we can encourage others down the same road.


2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (New International Version)

18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

TFTD: How does that make you feel?

Have a great day,


Peter Clark

New On The Inside!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


This is a great verse. It informs us that Christian people are made new on the inside.

The Holy Spirit does a work in us and we are recreated.

We have not just "turned over a new leaf", been reformed, or re educated.

We have been remade - we have a new life under a new master.

TFTD: Isn't that a great cause for rejoicing?

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

A Morning Prayer.

This "Morning Collect" came up in our prayers this morning. I hope you find it helpful.

Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you;through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

What More Could We Ask For?

I came across this Bible verse today in the Bush Church Aid Society Prayer Diary....spectacular!


Jeremiah 33:2-3 (New International Version)

2 "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'


Why did I find this verse so startling? Five things:

1.The Lord speaks to us.
2.He is the creator of all things.
3.He is the LORD of all things.
4.If we call on Him, He will answer.
5.He will inform us of things that are beyond our present understanding.

What do you think about all this? Feel free to make a comment.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

In Spite Of Us!

Today, my reading was up to 2 Corinthians 4. It speaks of things like...."through God's mercy we have this ministry we do not lose heart....setting forth the truth plainly....we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord...ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake...(God) made his light shine in our hearts..."

But then we are reminded that the message of Christ, as valuable as it is, is placed into the hands of fallible human beings.

Paul's focus is the power of God dwelling in us and working through us - see verse 14 "because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence."

TFTD: Let's focus on the treasure (the gospel of Christ) rather on the "jars of clay"


Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

God Is Doing A Work In You.

It is great to know that our Christian life and growth is being undertaken by God.

We are not to resist it!

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (New International Version)

16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord........ being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.


There are two important words here: "turning" to the Lord. This is the thought of repenting, or changing direction and heading towards God.

The other word is "transformed" - being transformed (by God) into the likeness of Jesus.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

How Smelly Are You?

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (New International Version)

15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

TFTD: How sweet an aroma are you to those you come into contact with?

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

A Recipe For Success.

Do you want to know how to do well at what you are doing?


2 Chronicles 31:21 (New International Version)

21 In everything that he undertook...... he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Set Your Heart On Seeking God.

2 Chronicles 30:18-19 (New International Version)

18 ...... "May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD....

What more do I need to say?

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

Bad Move Ahaz!

King Ahaz was one of the worst, disobedient Kings.

He was so bad that he couldn't even come back to God when times were bad for him.


2 Chronicles 28:22 (New International Version)

22 In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.

If hard times lead us back to God.....then praise God for hard times.

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Three Pieces Of Advice.

I am still in 2 Chronicles and today there were three verses that stood out for me.


2 Chronicles 26:5 (New International Version)

5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah....... God gave him success.


2 Chronicles 26:16 (New International Version)

16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.


2 Chronicles 27:6 (New International Version)

6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

TFTD: Food for thought!

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Work On Your Friendships

I read something very sad this morning. I continue ploughing my way through Chronicles and came across King Jehoram (he was Jehoshaphat's son).

Verse 20 of chapter 21 says, "He passed away, to no one's regret.."

How sad. The fact that he killed all of his brothers wouldn't have helped!

Our world is relationships and so it is important to keep working on them and to be forgiving - and have a short memory.

Have a great day.

Peter Clark.


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Stand Firm!

1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.



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Encouragement To Go For It.

Prior to my reading the Bible this morning, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and wondering about the future. Then I read this...

King Jehoshaphat was under a lot of pressure.

The prophet conveys this message to him from God:


2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (New International Version)

15 .... This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged..... For the battle is not yours, but God's...... 17 You will not have to fight this battle....... stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you....... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged...... the LORD will be with you.' "

Being There At The End

It is good to have repented and turned back to God, but it is important to "keep on keeping on".


1 Corinthians 15:2 (New International Version)

2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.


TFTD: Hang in there.

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

God Treats Us Like We Treat Him.

2 Chronicles 12:5 (New International Version)

5 Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, "This is what the LORD says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.' "


In the end, God will treat us, as we have treated Him. Are we ashamed of God, then He will be ashamed of us.

Have we abandoned God...then He will abandon us.

Do we love Him and have trusted ourselves to Him....then He will do the same for us.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Be Careful of Wealth And Security.

2 Chronicles 12


1 After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD.


Rehoboam (Solomon's son and King of Judah) started off well.....but it seems that when he was established, and well off he left God behind.

It appears that he didn't need him any more....how sad.

TFTD: Let's not let this happen to us.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 (New International Version)

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.

"Now About spiritual Gifts"

My 365 Day Bible is up to 1 Corinthians 12.....spiritual gifts...why does something so good cause so many problems?

For the Corinthian Church, instead of building up the body and bringing unity to them - the use of the gifts was having the opposite effect.

Spiritual gifts were being used to show power or status over other people. This caused rivalries because some were putting themselves forward as more "spiritual".

This was very divisive. Spiritual gifts are not meant to be used like this - they are meant to help the church function more effectively.

When it comes to spiritual gifts we have to be careful....we must not insist on using our gifts, in whatever way, irrespective of others....nor must we use them as a way to manipulate others or to serve our self interest.

Gifts can be greatly misused and abused, but we should still seek out our gifts and use them for the glory of God.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

A Prayer About Following Jesus.

The special Prayer For Last Sunday.

Almighty God,

you have given your only Son

to be for us both a sacrifice for sin

and also an example of godly life:

give us grace that we may always thankfully receive

the benefits of his sacrifice,

and also daily endeavour

to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Definition Of "Faith".

Last night we had our first "Contemporary Service" and we focused on "Faith".

And so, what is it? What is "faith"?

We were asked to write down a definition.....

Here is mine....

"Faith is trusting in something OR someone that you do not yet have all the information on, AND/OR couldn't understand it if you did."

How would you define "faith"?

This is how Hebrews sees it.

Hebrews 11:1 (New International Version)

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.


Or, this is how the Message describes faith...

Hebrews 11:1

1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Have a good day,

Peter Clark.

A Warning And A Promise.

I read this today...it is very good to be reminded of it.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New International Version)

12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

We know then, that we have to be careful, not to become complacent about the temptation to sin AND be confident that God promises that we will not be tempted beyond what we can resist.

God IS faithful. We need to remember that.


Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Being Guided.

Does anyone have the secret of knowing for a certainty what and where God wants us?

Does it make any difference? Is He mainly concerned with us being faithful, wherever we are?

This verse is a help

Isaiah 58:11

I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Avoid Being Half Hearted.

Revelation 3:15-16 (New International Version)

15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.


Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink (have you ever tried a lukewarm coffee?).

The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant.

The believers didn't stand for anything (and probably fell for everything). Their indifference had led to idleness.

By neglecting to do anything for Christ the church had become hardened and self satisfied.

There is nothing more disgusting than a half hearted, in name only Christian who is self sufficient.

Don't go there. It is not a pretty sight.


Have a good day,

Peter Clark.

Special Prayer

Last Sunday the special prayer (or collect) was a great one.

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech you,
the spirit to think and do always such things as are right,
that we, who cannot do anything that is good without you,
may by you be enabled to live according to your will.
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a great day,


Peter Clark.

Don't Fall For It.

It is so easy to look over our shoulders at what others have got.

I was reading on from yesterday in Acts 20. Paul says this...

..."I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing".

What does that tell us about Paul?

He was satisfied with what he had, wherever he was....all he wanted to do was God's work.

TFTD: It is good to examine ourselves - our attitudes towards wealth and comfort. If we focus more on what we do not have then it is time to re-examine our priorities.

Have a good day,


Peter Clark.

Not An Easy Road.

Have you looked at Paul's farewell speech to the Ephesians elders lately?

Acts 20:18-21 (New International Version)

18When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

I just love the heart of Paul. He is such am amazing man and servant of Christ.

We see here that he served humbly and "with tears". It was hard for him, but he never gave up. He never missed an opportunity to share the message of salvation.

He may have preached his message in different situations, and to fit different audiences, but his message never changed - turning away from sin and turning to Christ by faith.

This is a good pattern for us.

Have a great day,

Peter Clark.