Put on the NEW SELF

O, the irksome feeling after having my suspicions confirmed! – 7lbs! The dreaded half a stone! I seldom stand on my scales, as my clothes tell the tale of excess. Buttons becoming tight, then not fastening at all!

Last time I braved the scales was the first week of October. This was after a break in Llangrannog, followed by two nights B & B in Conway.

How does this half stone creep on so quickly? For me there are two reasons for the gain. Firstly”eating out”. I give permission for someone else to be my nutrition provider. The second is obvious, I’m on holiday! Chocolates, scones, wine and the occasional

Ice cream doesn’t help either.

So decision made, I choose to put more thought in again to meals and snacks. All the above are still allowed, it is just the quantity and frequency that is slashed. I instantly feel good.

As a believer and servant of Jesus Christ, I see all this as a reflection of what the Lord would have us do more regularly than just at the beginning of a new year - self examination. The communion table is one such time. If all else fails, here we can take stock, and if necessary repent and clear out the outer courts of our temple, which is our flesh life.

My school motto, back in the 1970’s was a passage from Philippians Chapter 4: 4-8, the King James Version.

The “Whatsoever things” have stayed with me to this day.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true

Whatsoever things are honest (noble NIV)

Whatsoever things are just (right NIV)

Whatsoever things are pure

Whatsoever things are lovely

Whatsoever things are of good report (admirable NIV)

If there be any virtue (excellence NIV)

And if there be any praise, think on these things.

There are other lists, but these are of things that can make us stumble or just become sluggish. “Whatsoever” is personal and it is usually attached to a particular appetite or other. Yours could be work, music, TV, Facebook, magazines, socializing. The lists are endless.

I began with sharing one of my irks! Thankfully we have the Lord. Invite Him regularly to sweep clean your outer courts, that is why He came. His blood is available to cleanse and restore, any time of day or night.

A happy and Christ centred New Year to all.

Ephesians 4: 7-23

Romans 14: 17-21

The country has a change of government.

As believers in Jesus we are told to pray for those in authority over us, whilst they that govern should do so diligently, for government has been established to protect and lead the nation for the benefit of all the citizens.

This is true of the church. God expects His leaders, pastors and teachers to work diligently, upholding His truth within the church and to the wider community as has been our national heritage until now.

Why have we seen a general downward trend in attitudes towards each other; respect for those in authority and a seeking after self interests rather than the general good? I believe that a lot of the blame lies at the churches door. The church hasn’t been there with the answers for the nation. So much so we are in danger of being marginalised or worse forsaken.

In Ezekiel Chapter 22, we read how God condemns the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem of social injustice and idol worship. The leaders had forgotten Him. Isn’t this true of our nation’s leaders? Like Jerusalem, our leaders include the clergy. Verse 26 of chapter 22 states, “Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy [truth] and the common [man’s thinking]”. Church leaders have embraced the thinking of the day rather than upholding God’s timeless Word.

It is never too late to call on the Lord to forgive us for forsaking Him and His Word, the Bible. We can do this as individuals, churches, communities and government. ‘For God is slow to anger and abounding in love and mercy’.

The end of Ezekiel, Chapter 22, and verse 30 [the Sovereign Lord says] “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land ……”

For Israel there was none. But I believe there are thousands just waiting to call on the Lord for wisdom to apply His timeless truth in their own lives and for the wider good. Our church seeks to serve God and others and to teach God's truth as shown in the bible. Can I encourage you in this also?

LF