Christine Burden reviews 'In Time with God: Daily Devotional Bible Readings in Accordance with the Biblical Hebrew Calendar' by RK Bamber (2012).
This book is not your usual daily devotional resource. It does not begin on 1 January but instead at the start of the Biblical New Year, which begins with the month of Abib (or Nisan).
In the introduction, Bamber states: "The aim of this book is to give you scriptures and 'daily devotionals' which are related, as much as possible, to the actual day on which you are reading..." (p9). The biblical calendar is a lunar calendar; it is not the same as the Gregorian calendar that we normally use, which is a solar calendar.
This may seem confusing, but the author carefully explains how the reader can accurately find the passage appropriate for any given day of the Gregorian calendar, so there is no need to worry. One can also purchase a dual calendar with the book, and additional website resources for navigating between the calendars are also provided. It is not a problem but an education!
The book devotes a page for each day. Included on this page are the biblical date, titles and a portion of Scripture accompanied by helpful teachings and explanations. At the end of the page there is a question or personal challenge for the reader, followed by references that one might wish to follow up by way of further study.
Attention to the Feasts
This is a devotional that is well-researched, is challenging and has invaluable teaching on the Hebraic roots of our Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).
Bamber includes helpful explanations of how Yeshua (Jesus) fulfils the feasts. Yeshua "fulfilled the prophetic meaning of the feasts on the actual days that they occurred" (p9). For example, The Feast of Passover falls on the 14th day of the first month (Lev 23:5) of the lunar calendar, when the moon is full, and not on a fixed date of the Gregorian calendar. It was on Passover, when the blood of a lamb was shed for redeeming the Israelites, that Yeshua died.
Incidentally, on the 14th day of any month in the lunar calendar there will be a full moon; one has only to look up at the sky (provided that it is a clear night) to see when we have reached Day 14.
There are also detailed and interesting charts for each month beginning with the first month of Nisan (referred to as the month of Abib in the Bible). These charts are nicely set out, providing an overall view of the book. In addition to the feasts, the charts include information and Bible texts on a varied selection of other biblical topics. For example, one topic covered is 'The Seven Species of Israel', with days each devoted to a different botanical species mentioned in Scripture. I would say there is something here for everyone who enjoys God's word.
This book is not your usual devotional resource - it works to the Hebraic lunar calendar.
Difficult Topics
The author does not shy away from difficult topics such as the Lord's plan for Israel, anti-Semitism, Replacement Theology or end time topics.
There is a discussion on Israel's enemies (p386), where the text from Numbers 24:20 looks at the words spoken by Balaam about the Amalekites, Israel's enemies. The author traces the lineage of the Amalekites, beginning with their putting fear into 10 of the 12 spies sent out by Moses, right through to modern times in which, she states, "Amalek is the spirit which tries to thwart God's plan of redemption". We are reminded that Haman (who was an Amalekite) tried to destroy all the Jews in Persia, as recorded in the book of Esther (incidentally, ancient Persia is today's Iran, a very present threat to modern-day Israel).
Care and Dedication
I found as I read this book that there was an anointing on each page that brought me the peace and comfort of the Lord. On one page the author talks about 'The Prepared Bride' (p300). Here, discussion centres around the woman who was forgiven much "for she loved much" (Luke 7:47). The reader is challenged by the author who states that the woman's great love for the Lord is a picture of the Church, the Bride of Yeshua.
I love the care, dedication and attention to detail that has gone into the writing of this book. After following it daily through a whole year I have found that it has become a favourite that I return to often for spiritual refreshment. This is an excellent book for these times as the Church continues to re-discover its lost Hebraic roots.
As I read I found there was an anointing on each page that brought me the peace and comfort of the Lord.
In Time With God (414 pages, In Time With God Publications) is available from Rosemary Bamber's website, www.intimewithgod.com, which also contains further information about the book and navigating between the lunar and solar calendars.
Rosemary Bamber studied Theology at Avery Hill College, London and spent four years studying and serving in Jerusalem, where she was inspired to write this book.
This week's scriptures: Numbers 16:1-18:32; 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22; Romans 13:1-7.
A humbling thing about God's Sovereign leadership is that through the ages, He has so often chosen to work it out through human beings.
Our awesome Creator God, King of the Universe, who has no need of man's help to accomplish anything, and who desires so ardently to lead His people personally, has condescended to institute human forms of leadership on the earth, for our benefit and to the praise of His glory.
When submitted to God's ultimate Kingship and filled with humility and the power of His Holy Spirit, these leadership roles and relations become beautiful reflections of God's relationship with His people. However, without this overarching Heavenly structure, relationships between leaders and led are vulnerable to corruption, from both sides.
This week's Torah passage focuses particularly on the attitudes of those who are led, rather than on the attitudes of leaders. However, it is applicable to all – since at the heart of every human being, even those naturally blessed with leadership skills, is a God-given need to be led. We are all designed to be shepherded by the Good Shepherd – even the human shepherds amongst us. And it is our refusal to acknowledge this need – indeed – our rebellion against the humility and vulnerability it demands of us – is where Numbers 16 picks up.
Political Upheaval
In Numbers 16-18 Moses and Aaron face a large-scale coup d'etat, not long after the Israelite community had been sentenced to a lifetime of wandering in the desert for refusing to trust in God's leadership into the Promised Land. Led by Moses' and Aaron's first cousin Korah and a number of Reubenites, 250 "well-known community leaders" (Num 16:2) came against God's chosen leaders of the nation, united in rebellion.
This was not an uprising from the people, but from prominent Israelites, who had already been given positions of influence because of their leadership skills. It was the ultimate vote of no confidence: overnight Moses and Aaron faced a complete collapse of their council. With the people feeling keenly the denial of the rest and prosperity of the Promised Land, and suffering ignominious defeat from the Amalekites and Canaanites into the bargain (Num 14), there seemed to be a real risk of a descent into national turmoil.
From Coup to Plague
The attempted coup was couched in fine-sounding theological arguments about the whole community being equal before God, chosen and made holy by Him. Why should Moses and Aaron be set above the rest, Korah and his followers asked?
But underneath this deceptive, persuasive talk were prideful agendas. Korah had his own self-advancement in mind (Num 16:8-11). Dathan and Abiram (the Reubenites) simply claimed that Moses and Aaron had not delivered on the promise of a land flowing in milk and honey.
In a terrifying display of God's holiness and power, the Lord defended His chosen leaders and the insurgents lost their lives. But immediately after the incident, which should have struck holy fear into the hearts of the whole community, the people turned en masse on Moses and Aaron, blaming them! As a result, a plague immediately broke out, claiming a further 14,700 people before Aaron put a stop to it by making atonement for the nation.
What a mess! And how many parallels there are here with Britain's current political turmoil!
Rejecting God's Authority
This was not an isolated incident in Israel's history. Ever since the exodus from Egypt, when the Lord personally led the Children of Israel out of slavery in order to rule them Himself, the people were prone to reject God as King over them in favour of other gods, other forms of power and other sources of security (e.g. 1 Sam 8:8).
This trajectory was still clear at the time of Samuel, when the Israelites demanded a human king to lead them, so that "we shall be like all the other nations" (1 Sam 8:20). This time, the context was their fear of Ammonite invasion (1 Sam 12:12), prompting a request for a more tangible leader to go ahead of them into battle. But the underlying premise was the same: they were rejecting God as their King (1 Sam 8:7).
Attitude to Earthly Authority
Our attitude to God's Kingship, and our attitude to human leaders, are actually very closely related. Whether within the family, the church, the workplace or the nation, our attitude to human authority ultimately reflects our heart towards God.
Of course, there are a host of difficult questions surrounding the practical details of our submission to earthly authorities (our New Testament passage this week focuses on such questions, Romans 13:1-7). It is not my intention here to try to unravel these complexities – not least because if the foundation of our hearts is right before God, these issues will naturally begin to unravel themselves.
Instead, I would like to put out a challenge, especially in this current climate of political upheaval, to keep a close watch on your heart as you survey the myriad crises affecting our nation. As we watch, listen, pray, campaign, wonder, worry, grumble and critique, we may be able to justify ourselves with noble-sounding political or theological arguments, but let us carefully examine our hearts at the same time. Whilst there is clearly a spiritual battle going on here in which we are all called to fight, we must carefully guard ourselves against all kinds of pride and fear.
Humility Needed
Ultimately, all of us reject God's Kingship at some point or another, in favour of forms of leadership that play to our pride or our deep-seated fears, making us feel more powerful or more secure. However, there is always room for repentance – as long as our hearts are willing.
When Moses told those in rebellion to gather before the Lord for His judgment on the matter, Korah led the 250 all together as one mass, still 'in opposition' to Moses and Aaron, whilst the Reubenites refused to even meet with Moses to discuss the matter (Num 16:12). To a man,1 they had chosen wilfully to carry through their mutiny – and paid the consequences.
I wonder what would have happened if they had come instead with repentant hearts, in fear and trembling? When Samuel stood before Israel and made known to them their sin in asking for a human king, they turned and asked for him to pray that they be spared God's wrath. He responded with kindness, grace and firm discipline, encouraging them to walk obediently in future.
Ultimately, what will lead us to turn and submit instead of wilfully continuing in our own ways is humility before God and a healthy fear of the Lord – hearts that say "yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42), hearts that "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph 5:21).
The Cost – and the Gain
This kind of attitude is difficult to achieve. It goes against the natural grain. Spiritually, it puts us on our knees, facedown before God, which feels a vulnerable position to hold. And outwardly, we do end up looking different 'to all the other nations'. We don't have the same outward displays of splendour or strength. We walk a narrow, difficult path of total surrender where daily - hourly even - we must keep our natural inclinations nailed down and choose instead to trust in God's capacity to lead and protect us.
But oh, the gain – what an honour and a privilege to be called the people of God, and to be led personally by the Sovereign King of the Universe! To entrust ourselves to His loving kindness and wisdom – intangible though it may sometimes seem - is the best thing we could ever do.
This is the solid ground in the midst of national instability, division and insecurity, and in the face of the prideful agendas that pollute our corridors of power. This is the only trustworthy path forward into apparent darkness – "safer than a known way".2
As difficult as this road is to walk, it is also incredibly straightforward. According to Jesus, we are simply to "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matt 22:21). What is God's? The love of our heart, soul, mind and strength. If this is in place – all the rest will follow.
Author: Frances Rabbitts
References
1 A certain Reubenite named On was named as part of the leadership of the rebellion, yet he was not listed as among those who were destroyed the next day. I wonder if he saw sense overnight and withdrew in repentance? In Talmudic tradition, he was saved by his wife's wisdom – see here.
2 From 'The Gate of the Year' by Minnie L Haskins.
If we are to regain peace in our nation, we have to study the social geography of voting in the Referendum and learn from it.
My joy at hearing the result of the Referendum was very short-lived when I saw the dismay of some of the younger members of my own family.
Social media went into overdrive in condemnation of the decision to leave the European Union, which many young people saw not as a victory for freedom but as a triumph for racism and prejudice against foreigners.
I was immediately moved with compassion for those who felt betrayed by the older generation who had voted heavily for leaving the EU and who they accuse of not considering the views of young people and their future. But a breakdown of the voting pattern shows that it was not only older voters who wanted to break with the European Union. There were other social dimensions to the voting which are most informative about our society.
Understanding the 'Older' Vote
But first, why did so many older people vote 'Leave'? The simple answer is that they remember being told in 1975 that Britain was joining a trading organisation that would lead to great prosperity for all the nations of Europe and bring greater international cooperation and harmony - which is what everyone desired in the aftermath of two terrible wars in the 20th Century.
But fundamental changes have taken place in the European Union, from simple trade agreements to political power being removed from our own Government to Brussels and Strasbourg, and our politicians actually admitting that we had been deceived.
The older generation was brought up in a social environment of strict morality where truth, loyalty, integrity and righteousness were universally accepted values – they deeply resent being deceived.
The older generation remember joining a trading organisation that promised peace and prosperity – and which became about political power.
Voting on Principle
These issues and the philosophy underlying the policy being pursued by the European Union were not discussed during the Referendum debate, which was an utter disgrace, descending into personal abuse and slogan shouting.
Many in the older generation ignored the debate and held fast to their social values. They knew that if Britain voted to leave the EU, there would be a period of severe economic turmoil. But, in the long-term, it seems they also believed that British character is sufficiently strong to come through the shockwaves of change and steer the country through to a time of prosperity, equality and a recovery of the values and heritage we have lost.
This is why so many in the older generation voted to reassert our independence from the EU and seek a new relationship with the other nations of Europe in a partnership of peace and prosperity. They did not want to leave Europe! They wanted Britain to decide our own destiny!
Voting Against the Establishment
But it was not only the older generation in Britain who voted 'Leave'. In areas of social deprivation, it was young people who see no future for themselves in simply maintaining the status quo. Their vote was as much against the Westminster establishment who never listen to their plight as it was against the European Union, which is just another set of faceless rulers in the 'them and us' structure of society in which they are the forgotten underclass.
For many young people and ordinary working people this was an opportunity to go against those in power. It was a chance to give a black eye to the bankers, stockbrokers, big business moguls and politicians (even including the Labour Party leaders). Sadly, we belong to a highly structured and divided society, in which the gap between rich and poor, the haves and the have-nots has been growing steadily wider for at least the past 30 years.
It was not only the older generation who voted 'Leave', but also young people – particularly in areas of social deprivation.
This is why the Labour Party is in turmoil today - because it has always been a mixture of middle-class idealists and ordinary working people, but the gap between the workers and the middle classes has grown steadily wider.
The Social Geography of the Vote
Many firms in Britain have been recruiting from Eastern Europe, where migrant workers are willing to work for lower wages that are still vastly higher that they can get in their own countries. But this has created huge resentment among British workers, especially when the migrants bring their families, with great impact upon schools and the Health Service.
The affluent middle classes, academics, civil servants, politicians, bankers and businessmen who voted to 'remain' don't have to compete for jobs with immigrants, feel the upheaval of drastic cultural change or send their children to overcrowded schools. The unwillingness of Labour politicians in Westminster to face these issues is now tearing their Party apart.
If we are to regain peace in our nation, we have to study the social geography of voting in the Referendum and learn from it.
According to figures published by The Times (25 June 2016), 72% of voters in areas of high average house prices (above £282,000) voted to remain; whereas in areas where house prices are lower than that, 79% voted to leave the EU. Similarly, in affluent areas, 65% voted to remain, whereas in areas where average wages are lower than £23,000, 77% voted to leave.
In terms of occupation and education the differences are even greater, with 86% voting to leave the EU in areas of high manufacturing and 83% in local authority areas where more than a quarter of the electorate do not have at least five good GCSEs.
British society is highly divided, with the gap between the haves and the have-nots growing steadily wider for at least the past 30 years.
Holding Out Hope
So what can Christians do to heal the divisions that are so apparent in our nation and promote harmony and a single-minded determination to seek the national good?
First, we all need to show love and compassion to those who fear for the future. We have to replace fear with hope. This can only be done by reasserting the values that have held the nation together during times of great trouble and danger in times past, and by encouraging people to put their trust in the Lord. Today, as one of our readers said in a perceptive comment, our situation is more like Dunkirk than D-Day. When we found ourselves alone facing vast hostility across the Channel we cried out to God for help; we put our trust in the Lord and he answered our prayers. This is the first thing we need to do today!
Secondly we know that we are facing turbulence for the next two years and at the moment we have no stable Government or credible Opposition. Both political parties are deeply divided and have no clear plans for the future, which is highly dangerous for the nation. Christians should be coming together to seek the Lord for his plans. Now is the time for believers to close ranks and unite in prayer for the nation; boldly speaking the word of the Lord. We know that it is only when we recognise the mess we are in and we cry out to the Lord in repentance that any real change will come in the nation, because God always responds to such prayers.
Thirdly we must intercede for our politicians. Prayer groups and intercessors should be praying for the MPs who have to elect a Prime Minister and for each of the candidates. Of the three leading contenders Theresa May attends her local Anglican church, Michael Gove is an Anglo-Catholic and Stephen Crabb is an Evangelical: all three are known to be friendly to Israel. But we not only need a Godly Prime Minister, we need committed Christians in the Cabinet who will have the discernment to know the will of God for the nation and the courage to speak the word of the Lord in decision-making.
Prayer groups should let their local MP know that they are being supported in prayer and ask if there are any special prayer needs. The next few weeks are especially important to pray for MPs when far-reaching decisions will be made. This is where Christians can play a vital part in the affairs of the nation. We need the same boldness that Peter and John had when they faced the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem soon after the Day of Pentecost. They spoke about Jesus and declared "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4.12).
This is the message that should be upon our lips and declared in our Parliament and in the public square!
Mark Dunman reflects on Smith Wigglesworth's prophecy over Britain and calls for continued prayer at this volatile time.
God makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarged nations and disperses them. (Job 12:23)
I believe God has responded to the prayers of those Christians who have long felt that the EU was no place for Britain. It is indeed a momentous decision. I support 'Brexit', as it popularly came to be called, for a very specific reason. I believe that Britain cannot fulfil its destiny while spiritually shackled to a European Union which is hostile to our God, the God of the Bible.
Britain's Destiny: Mission and Revival?
What is this destiny? I believe that, in part, this destiny is to support the re-establishment of the State of Israel, but I also believe that it is to fulfil the promises made in the prophecy given by the great evangelist Smith Wigglesworth in 1947, shortly before his death. For those readers not familiar with the prophecy1 I reproduce it here in full:
During the next few decades there will be two distinct moves of the Holy Spirit across the Church in Great Britain. The first move will affect every church that is open to receive it and will be characterised by restoration of the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The second move of the Holy Spirit will result in people leaving historic churches and planting new churches.
In the duration of each of these moves, the people who are involved will say 'This is a great revival.' But the Lord says 'No, neither is this the great revival but both are steps towards it.' When the new church phase is on the wane, there will be evidenced in the churches something that has not been seen before: a coming together of those with an emphasis on the Word and those with an emphasis on the Spirit.
When the Word and the Spirit come together, there will be the biggest movement of the Holy Spirit that the nation, and indeed, the world has ever seen. It will mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has been witnessed within these shores, even the Wesleyan and the Welsh revivals of former years. The outpouring of God's Sprit will flow over from the United Kingdom to the mainland of Europe, and from there, will begin a missionary move to the ends of the earth.
I believe this prophecy to be from God. It has already been partly fulfilled. I came to faith in the 1970s during what I see as the first phase of the prophecy, the restoration of the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I lived through the second phase, the planting of new churches. We now await the third phase, a truly amazing revival which will start within our shores and radiate out to Europe and then to the world.
I believe Smith Wigglesworth's prophecy to be from God - it has already been partly fulfilled and we now await its third phase.
Other Christian leaders such as Derek Prince and Jean Darnall have prophesied a time of revival prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Derek Prince saw one great final wave of revival, while Jean Darnall saw fires of revival being lit up all over the British Isles.
Urgent Need for Continued Prayer
I did not believe that this could happen while Britain was part of an increasingly pagan/humanist Europe. To me this is the significance of the vote to leave Europe. Britain could not move forward spiritually while still in Europe; now it has the opportunity.
However, the need to pray is even more urgent. No one pretends that the moral state of this country warrants the mercy of God. The many groups that have been praying below the radar need to continue:
- We need to pray for the Church, most of which seems to view the EU solely in political terms.
- We need to pray for healing and reconciliation between the opposing sides in this referendum.
- We need to pray that we will make a good transition to being on our own – in particular that God will not allow the nation to become disillusioned with its choice.
Finally, we need to pray for a restoration of Christian values and a recognition by the nation and its government of our Judaeo-Christian heritage. We are a tolerant nation and we can live with other religions practising their faiths, but we should not tolerate other faiths (including atheism) attempting to marginalise our Christian heritage. We are a Christian nation and in my view it is perfectly reasonable to ask people of other faiths to respect this fact.
Nevertheless, this will not happen without prayer. Our spiritual enemy, satan, and his kingdom of darkness, will seek to neutralise the result of this Referendum. We have to pray and intercede for what we believe is right for this nation.
Britain could not move forward spiritually whilst in Europe. Now we have the opportunity, the need for prayer is ever more urgent.
Take Heart
I urge all Christians who have prayed for this result to continue and even to step up their prayer. The moral state of this nation is dire, but we can take heart from the fact that God can stir the fires of revival in a nation, whatever its moral and spiritual state, as the Wesleyan and Welsh revivals testify.
What God needs from those who are already his children and in his kingdom, is sustained, heartfelt prayer and intercession. Let us go to it!
Author information: Mark Dunman is the author of two books which we reviewed here at Prophecy Today earlier in the year: Has God really finished with Israel? (2013), which challenges Replacement Theology, and The Return of Jesus Christ: the end or the beginning? (2015), which examines the various millennial positions taken by the Church through history and discusses whether we are approaching the return of Christ any time soon.
Both books are available at markdunman.com, at Christian bookshops and on Amazon. Click here to read Paul Luckraft's interview with Mark from earlier this year.
Notes
1 There is some disagreement as to whether it was Smith Wigglesworth who gave this prophecy. However, he was known to have given a similar prophecy to David du Plessis in South Africa in 1936. What matters to me is that it has all the hallmarks of a genuine prophecy from God (Deut 18:21-22), not least because part of it has been fulfilled. See also Prophecy Today's feature on this prophecy as part of the 'Testing Prophecies Together' series.
This week's scriptures: Numbers 13:1-15:41; Joshua 2:1-24; Hebrews 3:7-4:1
Let's admit it, we would all be fearful if we had to face up to a giant in our own strength. Thinking of some contemporary examples, who would have wanted to face up to Muhammad Ali in the boxing ring, or be in the front row of a rugby scrum against the New Zealand All Blacks without some very special preparation?
And these are quite moderate challenges compared with the Anakim or the Babylonians of biblical days. So let's not be too quick to judge the Israelite spies who feared what they saw in the Promised Land.
Yes, they had seen God defeat Pharaoh in Egypt and deliver them from the pursuing chariots as they crossed the Red Sea. But now it was a personal challenge.
Of course, they should have remembered God's promises of a land flowing with milk and honey, especially when they saw the size of those bunches of grapes, the pomegranates and the figs, the potential of lush vegetation to feed their sheep and goats to provide that milk, and the nectar-bearing flowers abuzz with bees to produce that honey. But, humanly, it was all too easy to also see the potential of those ruthless, demonically-led Anakim to thwart all those good promises, and to sink back in fear.
Fear the Enemy of Faith
Fear is the enemy of faith, and fear must be overcome by faith. Some Israelites were fearful, but there were also those who were faithful – Joshua and Caleb. The contrast is there to be considered by us and to challenge our own fears.
Faith is something that must grow in us, just as it did in Abraham. We too will have our tests and in overcoming we will grow.
Recognising Giants
Giants come in many forms. The physical ones are easiest to see, but there are spiritual enemies who work in the unseen to sow seeds of doubt in all of us as we face up to our next big challenge – and we all meet these challenges at a personal level.
The decision that has faced everyone regarding the EU Referendum has been a challenging one, on personal as well as national levels. "What is the risk for me as I face the future?" is the question that has been weighing on the hearts of many around the country.
Pivotal though this has been, there are still many 'giants' ahead to overcome on both our personal and corporate walk of faith into the future. The ultimate outworking of all that is in the Book of Revelation, which will be fulfilled before the Kingdom of God comes fully in.
Examples and Warnings
Is the account of the conquest of Canaan in the early books of the Bible simply an account of ancient history, or is it relevant today? Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, made the relevance clear:
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. (1 Cor 10:11) [emphasis added]
The writer to the Hebrews also makes it clear that the experiences of Israel are for our instruction, and Joshua is seen as a forerunner of Jesus. For us it is not a physical land before us. Not even the establishing of the UK as 'a nation under God' is the end-point, though many battles are to be fought in and for our nation in this phase of history. It is eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven that is at stake.
Be Strong and Courageous
Thank God for Joshua who, through faith, led the Israelites eventually to the Promised Land. Thank God for the teaching this brings us. Thank God infinitely more for Jesus who, through his sacrificial death, enables those who will follow him in faith to enter into the eternal Kingdom.
Faith is the key to the future. We will all face our personal giants who try to build fear and uncertainty and, if it were possible, cause us to turn back, falter or give up. But this week, read both the Torah portion and the exhortation concerning its greater fulfilment in the Book of Hebrews. Let the Holy Spirit stir you afresh to rise up in faith and move forward into the future.
It is God who will give us the strength to overcome the giants. We are not left alone to face them. Accept all this by faith, move on to maturity, and our personal eternal future is secure.
Author: Dr Clifford Denton
A prayer of encouragement and personal preparation.
In the midst of the spiritual battle that is raging currently across Britain, we encourage you not to shrink back but to ready your heart and put on the armour of God, in faith, in preparation for the Lord to use you in prayer, word and deed.
We hope you are inspired by this beautiful prayer, submitted to us this week by our American correspondent Linda Louis-vanReed.
Father God,
Let me not lie down in subjection,
but fall down at the foot of Your throne.
Let me not keep restless sleep in silence,
but slumber in peace, as Your own.
Let me not hang my head, shamed or shaming,
But bow it in reverence to You.
Nor cry out for want, but exclaiming
to others all I know to be True.
If I run, let me run toward the battle,
that I might be of service to some.
Nor curse, nor despair in my weakness,
but sing songs of joy when each day is done.
Let me not hold my breath in my panic,
but embrace the clear mind You provide.
Asking You for the calm you have promised,
pushing Man and his muscle aside.
Let me not fear death or destruction,
or discomforts that ill health may bring.
Let me know the embrace of You, Father,
My Husband, my Brother, my King.
And when all to be said has been said,
and the last thing to do has been done,
Let me finish, My Father, still standing,
Your glory, eternity, won.
Linda Louis-VanReed, 27 June 2016
New to the inspiring life and profound works of JC Ryle? Start here!
The great thing about JC Ryle is that he is a fabulous read even today. His style is short, pithy sentences - direct, personal and warm-hearted. He is grounded in Scripture yet awash with everyday illustrations. He is very much aware of the world around, yet always has his eye on eternity.
Ryle's surviving works can be split into four different kinds: expository thoughts on the Gospels, sermons, controversial issues and historical works. All of them are still available today, published by Banner of Truth. Many second-hand bookshops have older versions and websites can provide copies too.
Ryle's writing style is grounded in Scripture yet awash with everyday illustrations
The four categories mentioned above are all worth reading but do obviously read in different ways and are written with different goals in mind. They may suit readers at different times or circumstances in their lives. In brief, they can be described so...
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
Ryle's most popular works in his lifetime (and probably still so today) are his expository thoughts on the four Gospels. These are ideal quiet time reading. A short passage of Scripture is printed, followed by around 3-5 pages of devotional, applicable comment. There are then a few more technical comments or quotes from other writers, usually printed in smaller type.
Depending on the publisher there are a number of volumes covering the four Gospels. Pick a favourite to use as a devotional aid. They would also make excellent gifts for new Christians to help them read through a Gospel.
Sermons
One of my joys in life is to hunt in second-hand bookshops for Ryle's sermons. They were published as pamphlets, normally of 16 or 32 pages. Many sermons were subsequently put together and published as books, especially after he was appointed Bishop of Liverpool in 1880.
The most well-known of these is 'Holiness'. Although this is a 'book', in reality it is a collection of sermons originally published over a 20-year period. This has the advantage of being easy to read and can be read in stand-alone chapters. As sermons, every chapter has applications.
Controversial Issues
Ryle's proper books (as it were) deal with controversial Christian doctrines. The three most published are 'Old Paths', 'Knots Untied' and 'Practical Religion'. The first two of these tackle areas which some today might either be tired of, or think are resolved without further need of debate.
But the reality is that many Christians of today have not thought these issues through - and again, Ryle is such a clear exponent of what would today be termed the conservative evangelical position, that both these books would be good reading for new Christians or even to clarify the thinking of more established believers.
He tackles (for example) baptism, regeneration, confession, inspiration, the Cross, faith and repentance. The third book deals (as it says on the tin) with practicalities of Christian living: Bible reading, prayer, sickness, being part of the church, taking communion.
Historical Works
Ryle was a firm believer in God's hand throughout history. He taught that every Christian should be knowledgeable of Church history. Obviously that meant the Reformation in particular, but Ryle was also a fan of the 18th Century, seeing it as a time of revival in England. His grandfather hosted Wesley at least once.
Ryle was a firm believer in God's hand throughout history
Ryle's most popular work was 'Christian leaders of the Eighteenth Century', closely followed by 'Five English Reformers'. Again, both books (which are still in print) would be good places to begin to be acquainted with Church history. This is because Ryle's writing is so gripping and well-applied. And what was relevant then, in the 19th Century, is still applicable now in the 21st - if not more so.
Ryle is a prophet for today. Pick him up and read.
A large selection of JC Ryle's books and pamphlets are available to purchase from Banner of Truth publications – click here for more details.
Friend of Israel's hell-fire preaching lights up tranquil scene
Tucked away in a beautifully tranquil part of Suffolk, noted among art enthusiasts everywhere as Constable country, is an ancient stone church dating back 700 years.
There's nothing particularly unusual about that in England, where the sight of a glorious steeple piercing a canopy of trees and sky is the focus of nearly every village. But I was particularly drawn to this one, on the edge of the magnificent Helmingham Hall estate belonging to Lord and Lady Tollemache, whose fabulous gardens we had just visited.
It turns out that this aristocratic family has had strong connections with the church over the centuries and had been responsible for the mass of illuminated Bible verses inscribed on virtually every spare space inside the building.
Anyone who comes to church without a Bible has much of it 'printed in large type' on the walls, while the pulpit is graphically backed up by the text "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Intrigued to find out more of its history, I soon discovered that none other than John Charles Ryle (later to become the first Bishop of Liverpool) was Rector there for nearly 20 years in the mid-19th Century (1844-1861).
But JC Ryle (as he was generally known) would in no way have been intimidated by such evangelical fervour. He would literally have basked in it, like a sun-seeker soaking up the warmth of its rays.
Pithy and Engaging
Gospel Sentinel: The parish church at Helmingham, Suffolk, where J C Ryle preached for 20 years.During his time at Helmingham, Ryle wrote over 80 tracts which were delivered to every door in the parish. He challenged the complacency of many who seemed disinterested in their spiritual state with prose that – unusually for the day – was both pithy and engaging. He mocked the notion that you should be thought very uncharitable if you dared to question whether a man was a Christian, thus:
The man's practice may be no better than that of a heathen: many a respectable Hindu might put him to shame – but what of that? He is an Englishman. He has been baptized. He goes to church, and behaves decently when there. What more would you have?
He reminded his readers that "sacraments, services and sermons may produce outward formality, and clothe us with a skin of religion, but there will be no life." Only the Holy Spirit could wake us from our spiritual slumber and save us from the "deep corruption" of our human nature.
He was particularly mindful of those who profess Christianity without backing it up by a transformed life: "Sin is plainly not considered their worst enemy, nor the Lord Jesus their best friend, nor the will of God their rule of life, nor salvation the great end of their existence." Urging us to receive the Spirit, he concludes: "You may not like the tidings. You may call it enthusiasm, or fanaticism, or extravagance. I take my stand on the plain teaching of the Bible."
Unlike some today, he emphasised that Christ is the "only way" to heaven and mocked those who treat the Bible as "a heathen idol" only to be brought out at christenings, or upon the arrival of sickness, the doctor and death.
Ryle's pulpit was backed up by the fervent text: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Urgent and Uncompromising
His messages are urgent, passionate, blunt and uncompromising – and what a legacy he has left, for he still speaks, even though dead. He continues to be widely read, and there are many internet websites devoted to him.
Oh that today's bishops would speak with such directness and authority! With some notable exceptions, they seem to have had what many have dubbed 'the operation' to remove their spine.
But Ryle's passion for the gospel echoes down the ages, still addressing those lost in a sea of despair, confusion and hopelessness: "I fear lest you should live without Christ, die without pardon, rise again without hope, receive judgment without mercy, and sink into hell without remedy."
He was unequivocal in stating that "the Bible is all true, and must be fulfilled". For example, he firmly believed that the Jews scattered around the world for 18 centuries would soon return to their ancient homeland in fulfillment of many scriptures. And he encouraged Christians to work and pray toward that end.
Ryle's passion for the gospel echoes down the ages.
He said: "I believe that the Jews shall ultimately be gathered again as a separate nation, restored to their own land and turned to the faith of Christ (Messiah)."
And so it was, less than 50 years after he died in 1900, that the modern state of Israel was born! And a growing number have since acknowledged Jesus as their Messiah. Judge for yourself whether you think a man with such foresight was off the mark in diagnosing the spiritual health of his parishioners.
Fire from Heaven
He did not escape suffering himself – he was twice widowed while at Helmingham – but was not afraid to preach what many today would deem 'hell-fire and damnation' as he left his readers with this fiery challenge: "Where is the man that can hold his finger for a minute in the flame of a candle? Who shall dwell with everlasting burnings?"
That there was a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned was a fairly orthodox line taken by preachers of the day, but few even then had the courage to put it quite as bluntly as JC Ryle.
Thus galvanised by the gospel, Ryle lit a flame that time would not extinguish. My prayer is that readers will continue to have their hearts similarly warmed by fire from heaven.
God is giving us an amazing opportunity for the advancement of his Kingdom - but there is much work to be done.
In our Editorial two weeks ago we said that the Referendum day was "in many senses a 'D-Day' – a decision day which may become a DELIVERANCE DAY" on 23 June.1
That, as it turns out, was a prophetic statement. The nation has voted for freedom from the shackles of the European Union.
Of course, all of us on the Editorial Board of this magazine are glad and we see this as a great act of mercy and compassion of God. We believe it is a wonderful answer to prayer. God is giving us an amazing opportunity for the advancement of his Kingdom. But our rejoicing is tempered by the knowledge that the moral and spiritual state of our nation remains unchanged by this vote.
Long Journey Ahead
One of our readers who commented on the Editorial mentioned above said, "...it is glaringly obvious that the UK does not meet the conditions for divine intervention in Jeremiah 18:7-8".2
They saw the Referendum as more like Dunkirk than D-Day, and the little prayer and Bible study groups around the country like the "little ships that played such a key role in evacuating the troops off the Dunkirk beaches."3
This perceptive comment reminds us that Christians are now in the minority in Britain and we have a huge mountain to climb if we are to seize the opportunity that God is graciously giving to us to make a real change in this nation.
Acknowledging the Good of the EU
Prophecy Today was first published in 1985 and since that time we have always sought to present the truth in every situation - even if it has been unpopular. We know that some of our readers do not share our dislike of the European Union and our passion to be free from its restrictions and regulations. We understand that, and we want to acknowledge the good that the EU has done in providing Europe with the longest period of peace in its history over the past 500 years of sporadic warfare and squabbling among the nations.
God has been so gracious to us – but we have a huge mountain to climb if we are to seize the opportunity to make real change in this nation.
The EU has also a good record on human rights and ensuring the fair treatment of workers and opposing gender and racial discrimination. These and many other good things should not be discarded by our leaving the European Union.
There were many advantages in the Common Market that we originally joined some 43 years ago, that have enhanced trade and contributed to good international relationships – peace and prosperity. But the old sinful human lusts for power, and greed for wealth, became the driving force behind the direction of the EU's growth from a small trading association towards a super-state exercising increasingly totalitarian control over its members. This has been its undoing – the corrupting power of power, which has given vast wealth to some and unemployment and poverty to others.
Revolt Against the Elites
Of course the global corporations and bankers and the ruling classes wanted Britain to remain in the EU, but the ordinary working people across the country saw through the facade presented by those who wanted to retain the status quo. The real significance of this Referendum is that it was a 21st CENTURY PEASANTS' REVOLT.
The politicians who live in the Westminster bubble and London itself, where property prices have been obscenely inflated by foreign capital, have been becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the country. This is a fact that is glaringly obvious from the Referendum voting.
Turmoil and Testing
The greatest casualty in the Referendum Debate has been TRUTH. The amount of mud-slinging and personal abuse, mixed in with deliberate lies and deception, has been a national disgrace. It needs to be followed rapidly by a large amount of humility and forgiveness on both sides of the debate, not merely to quieten things down but to seek genuine unity of purpose for the good of the country.
Of course the immediate future is likely to be characterised by turmoil, not only in the financial markets which always hate uncertainty, but also in terms of social solidarity. This will be the greatest test of David Cameron's leadership: to steer the nation through the next few months until he is replaced in Number 10.
I believe him to be an essentially honest politician – a rare accolade in any age. Of course he has made mistakes, because like the rest of us he is a human being. But there are few politicians who would have had the courage to give the nation a Referendum as he has done! We should honour him for this.
I believe David Cameron to be an essentially honest politician, and we should honour him for his courage to call the Referendum in the first place.
His biggest mistake has been to claim that he had achieved "a reformed Europe" following his whirlwind tour of European capitals. Everyone could see that there were no signs of 'reformation' in the European Union. So when he referred to it people laughed. If only he had said that he had been unable to obtain the reforms that he wanted to see and then led the nation to leave the EU - his political career would have soared!
Weathering the Storm
We must now pray for godly leaders to emerge in Westminster, to lead the nation through turbulent waters. The nation needs leaders who acknowledge the moral and spiritual mess we are in and who are prepared to assert biblical values of truth and honesty with humility before the Lord, emphasising the Judaeo-Christian heritage of this nation and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Lord for the way forward.
God is giving to Britain an amazing opportunity to enter a new era of blessing and prosperity when we have weathered the storm of our exit from the EU. Our leaving is likely to be met with hostility from EU leaders, but we have to be prepared to return good for evil and to find ways of establishing a new partnership with the other nations of Europe, rather than turn our backs upon them and try to live in isolation. That would surely not be right in the sight of the Lord.
We must pray for godly leaders to emerge in Westminster, to lead the nation through turbulent waters.
Trust in the Lord!
After weeks of praying "Thy will be done", Christians need to recognise the outcome of the Referendum as an act of God and give thanks for his goodness. But so much now depends upon our seeking brotherly love and Holy Spirit unity within the Church of all traditions – ancient and new – as the Body of Christ in Britain.
This would be a powerful witness to the nation. Whichever way they voted, many are now nervous of the future. By our love we must "strengthen [their] feeble arms and weak knees" (Heb 12:12) and encourage one another by our trust in the Lord and our devotion to Christ.
All Bible-believing Christians believe in the Sovereignty of God, and God has chosen to give us freedom from the EU. Therefore, we have now to ask the Lord what he wants us to do with the new freedom that he has granted us; not just to be free once again to fish in our own waters and pass our own laws, but to declare publicly the word of God in this land!
We need to recognise the outcome as an act of God – but so much of the future now depends on the Church's response.
There are already signs of God touching the lives of people in some parts of the country and if we are faithful we could see an amazing work of God with many people giving their lives to Jesus and our prayers being answered for his name to be hallowed in Britain, and his will to "be done, on earth as it is in Heaven!" (Matt 6:10).
References
1 Click here to read the editorial.
2 Click here to read the full comment.
3 Ibid.
"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps 118:24, NLT)
The Prophecy Today UK Editorial Board asks all our readers to join us in thankfulness to Almighty God that he has given us an opportunity to rebuild our nation in a way that he can bless.
Over the last few months we have encouraged our readers to consider the EU Referendum from a prophetic perspective and to pray together for God's help and leading. We were surely helped by him to fulfil his call to come out of the EU.
We consider this as part of the spiritual battle raging all around the world prior to the return of Jesus - and the battle will continue. Great challenges lie ahead and withdrawal from the EU is just a new beginning for our nation.
Let us commit ourselves to watch and pray even more earnestly, with the impetus and opportunity that this day brings.
Today, let us pause and give thanks to God.
On behalf of the Board,
Dr Clifford Denton
Chairman
Prophecy Today UK