​“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). "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) "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10) 

These verses give us great encouragement and hope. God is sovereign. He orders everything according to His will, and directs the time of everything we undertake in this life, and He saves us, not just because He can, but for a purpose. Let that sink in!

One of my many favourite Christians, William Wilberforce, is a good example of this "purpose". He laboured to bring an end to the slave trade in England. It was a long and difficult path, but he persevered, trusting God was with him. Three days after Parliament passed the bill abolishing the slave trade, God took Wilberforce home to heaven. His purpose had been achieved; it was now time for his reward.

The concept of leaving a legacy is an interesting one. We all seem to have a desire to be useful, to positively impact those following after us, and to bring glory to ourselves by doing something good. The concept of personal glory is itself fascinating.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us in the answer to question one, that the purpose of life is to bring glory to God and enjoy Him forever. (Q1. What is man’s primary purpose? Answer: Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.)

Given we are made in the image of God, maybe this is partly why we desire personal glory? Maybe it also reflects the fact that God has made us for a purpose, and we are motivated, in part maybe, by personal glory, to work toward that purpose? As Christians this desire is ultimately to bring glory to Jesus, knowing that this is our purpose. People who do not yet know Jesus, will still be guided by this desire, but it will tend to be for self-glorification, something which can never compare.

Like myself, most of us do not have obvious or grand purposes like Wilberforce did. That may be because we are looking for the big, glory-bringing purposes like Wilberforce's. I suspect most of us need to trust God and not worry too much if we are used to pursue more subtle, yet not less purposeful, purposes. If the purpose is from God and is intricately and intimately designed by Him just for us, then there is great meaning in it, whether we know what it is/was or not.

"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their memory is forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

People may well soon forget us, or at least their memory of us will fade once we are gone. The things we have accumulated all soon disappear and are of zero importance to us.

However, the truth remains, God has a purpose for each of us in this life, and therefore the things we have done actually do have some greater meaning. We may not know this meaning until we are in heaven, but we can be assured it is real.

As for me, if my purpose on earth was to come to faith in Jesus, get married, and have and raise my five sons, I believe I will be eternally content. 

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

We all know life is short. Yet we don't seem to live as if we know this. We live for this life and the things of this life. The reality is that we are but passing through. This is not our permanent home. We don't even know how long we will live, yet we know it is not very long, relatively. 

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14). 

We could well die today or tomorrow. We do not know.

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” (Psalm 39:4-5)

What should it do to us, knowing these truths? How then shall we live, knowing we shall soon die? Psalm 90:12 suggests this knowledge may help us to gain a heart of wisdom. 

By reflecting on these truths, we are encouraged to seek to re-prioritize our life, to live with humility under God, and to wisely discern what the most important things in our life are. 

Maybe this heart of wisdom will then convince us that these things are what we should focus most on.

My immediate thoughts settle on relationships. It can't be money, or stuff, or ego. They are all gone, for us, on that last day. While many relationships also end on that last day, many last for eternity if they know and trust Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross.

So, for all of us it comes down to wisely discerning the most important things in our life. So, what are they for you?  

For me, it turns out there are not many of them. Jesus, my wife and my children. That is it. These three things make me the richest man alive, and I am very thankful to Jesus, who is everything to me and who gave me my wife and children. More than that, He gives eternal life, and the hope that these relationships so dear to me will last for all eternity.

​“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” Exodus 20:16 Deuteronomy 5:20.

The crux of the ninth commandment is that we are to tell the truth, maintain and promote the truth, and protect our own and other’s reputations.

God’s design for wanting us to tell the truth is that He loves us and wants the best for us, in spite of our rebellion against Him, so He gives us guidelines for living, in the Ten Commandments as well as throughout rest of the Bible.

Our creator God made us, He knows us, He loves us, and He wants us to be reconciled to Him. That is why He gave His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in our place, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

God is a God of truth. He operates through truth. If we want the best possible life we need to trust this and live our lives in light of this. Even seemingly bad things, from our limited perspective, will be worked out by God for our good if we love and trust Him, as He works ALL things in truth "together for those who love God.” (Romans 8:32).

Our current world has adopted lies as the norm instead of truth. The life narratives people are living by are built on lies. Social media prove this. People are living falsely, pretending, acting, deceiving themselves as well as others. 

Once you start down the path of telling yourself lies you soon become confused and unable to tell the difference. That is where we are at as a society.

We have been hoodwinked into believing some big lies in the West which have led to mass confusion, delusion, anger, depression, mental and physical health problems, political chaos and uncertain futures.

Lies such as the climate lies, race lies, sexual orientation lies, gender lies, transgender lies, marriage lies, history lies, lies about God, His existence, lies such as evolution which pretends we came from nothing and therefore have no meaning, purpose or morality.

This has left Western society empty and without a compass to guide it. It can only lead to bad things, and judging by the current state of the world, potentially very quickly. 

But there is HOPE. It is actually at times when things seem at their worst that God often does His thing and turns things around. So, it is NOT a time for despair. It is a time for repenting, turning away from our mistakes and turning toward God. Seeking His forgiveness and trying to live lives more truthfully.

This means coming back to the truth. Praying to God. Submitting to His ways. Returning to the basics. We need leaders to lead us to this. That is where you come into it. Are you ready to take up the challenge. Wanted: Men of Issachar - Craig Manners

Brief reflection and photo by Craig Manners

We are forever trying to exert our will over our lives and circumstances. Yet God gives us a much better way, His will.

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). 

When we pray, “Not my will, but your will be done,” and “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” we recognize the inherent futility of assuming our will is superior to God's. It is not.

Thankfully, God's ways are not our ways. While we want the way of ease and what we think are good earthly outcomes from difficult situations, ultimately as Christians we want His will. Whatever that looks like, we trust that He knows what is best. So, when we pray like this, we are trusting God to answer in the best possible way, which is His way not ours.

No matter how much we worry, stress or rail against what is going on in our lives, we will ultimately and thankfully, "never prevail against the will of God, which is the only rest for our souls. Our own wills have undone us and are our disease, our prison, and our death, till they are brought over to the will of God." Should we therefore distrustfully strive against His will and prefer our own instead? (Richard Baxter, "Dying Thoughts," pg. 101)

​Temporary Tears
 
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).
 
All the sorrow, sadness, the pain, the heartache, the grieving, and disappointments of this life are passing away (as with all other aspects of this life, including death itself).
 
One day for God's people these presently sad things will no longer even be sad. Think about that. There will be nothing but rejoicing.
 
So, lift your tear-stained eyes to God in readiness for the future He has in store for you.
 
Leave the sorrows of this life, the regrets, disappointments, broken dreams, and your broken heart behind you where they belong, along with all your self-pity. Lock them away securely in preparation for their permanent passing away.
 
Thank you, God, for this future hope. Help me to lift my eyes to you in the midst of these earthly pains and focus my thoughts on you and this glorious future awaiting me. Help me to be useful to you while I wait. In Jesus Name. Amen.
 
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

​Forever New
 
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:14)
 
The Apostle Paul said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
 
Once saved, forever saved. Once changed, forever changed. Sins forgiven are forgiven forever. Therefore, it is not worth dwelling upon past sins and mistakes, in fact if God is happy to forgive and give you a clean slate why would we bring them up again?
 
Many people will try to keep you paying the price over and over for things that happened in the past. If you have received Christ as your Saviour, He has paid the ultimate price for your sins. They are dealt with for all eternity. Bringing them up again is from the Accuser, not from the Forgiver. Will we believe Satan or God? Leave the past in the past, that goes for yourself and for your fellow Christians who have been forgiven.
 
Whatever your past, it is done. If God has had mercy on you, it is more than enough, “abundantly” so, to cover your past. Leave it with our Sovereign God, who is in control of ALL things.
 
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20).
 
This verse helpfully reminds us that God is in full control of even the worst situations in the lives of His people. It is best for us to simply trust Him, even in the tormenting darkness of the bleakest nights. He will guide us and comfort us through them. His everlasting arms will be underneath us. He will not let us endure more than we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13).
 
And has He not even promised to turn them around for our good if we love Him? (Rom. 8:28) Our trust is well placed.
 
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
 
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners.

​Less Self
 
"If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:39)
 
When Jesus says we should "turn the other cheek," when someone dishonours, offends or accuses us He is sort of reminding us that there is a much bigger picture than our small and limited view of things.
 
In a way He is saying we should give up "self" and commit everything to Him. Leave it to God. Revenge is His not ours. No matter what has happened to you leave it to His care. Even if someone meant if for evil, God really is in control not us.
 
Our pride directs us to make mountains out of mole hills, whereas in the big scheme of things it is really nothing worth expending so much worry and energy and time over. Better to just let it go. Easier said than done, but worth keeping in mind.
 
While giving up self is good; we should not give up defending the poor and weak. "Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17) Give up self but be ready to defend those worth defending. Go the extra mile for others. Show love instead of revenge!
 
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners.

ALL Things for Good
 
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
 
In one of the most comforting sentences ever written, we are assured that no matter what happens to God's people in this life, no matter how grim, disappointing, devastating, sad, confusing, lonely, perplexing, or anything, God is working for our good in that situation!
 
His purposes are perfect, unchangeable, and good for His people. If you want an easy verse to memorize this is one that can get you through many dark nights of weeping, and lead you to true hope, peace and joy as you draw near to your Father God.
 
Memorize it and bring it to mind on those nights you can’t seem to sleep because you are stressing over all sorts of things. This verse suddenly changes your perspective and your focus away from the problem toward God who holds the solution. This can calm your heart and induce a peaceful sleep like nothing else.
 
Trust God. He knows what He is doing, and He is doing it for your good.
 
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners.

The Wisest Plans

"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 plans for me!" Think about that. Not any old plans either, but plans to prosper, plans to give you hope and a future. How good is that! Not just any old future but a hope-filled future chosen by God just for you. Plans which by the way cannot fail, unlike our many plans.

How do we reconcile this with the seemingly messed up life and world which may be our current reality? For starters we are not yet in heaven! So why would we expect heavenly circumstances now? We live in a fallen world. But if you have received Christ as your Saviour then you are heading toward heaven. It will not be long, and you will be there.

But in the meantime, God has a purpose for your earthly life. And it is good! Every day is like a building block. God is transforming His people into the image of Christ through this life (2 Cor. 3:18), preparing each one of them for an amazing future. Each day, with all its fleeting joys and struggles brings you one step closer to the glorious future you were purposed for.

Life can very often look like the back of a tapestry, a tangle of mess and seeming chaos, yet God is making something beautiful out of your life and when He has finished it will be perfect.

We are not God, and we do not need to know His perfect plans for our lives. Our role is to trust Him. He is in full control.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31)

Knowing that God has such plans for us, and that He is in full control of our life, the least way we can show our trust is to live our lives openly under this reality. Why hide something so truly perfect. The ways of the world lead to mental unbalance and death, whereas the ways of God to a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7) and eternal life. Which would you prefer to proclaim to the world with your life?

"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

Photo and reflection by Craig Manners.

​Spirit of Love
 
“God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).
 
Child of the Almighty, abolish those fears, they have no power over you. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
 
Through all situations, even our earthly death, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear," (Psalm 46:1-2).
 
Billy Graham's beloved wife had a comforting message on her desk, "Fear not tomorrow, for God is already there."
 
Trust in the one who has defeated death, who controls everything that happens to us through this fallen world, who arranges those things to work for good for those who trust and love Him. Trust in the only name given to mankind by which they may be saved: Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12)
 
We get to replace fear with these good things, power, love, and a sound mind, when we trust Jesus and live life the way the Creator of life meant for us to live it.
 
The modern world, mostly the Western nations, have allowed themselves to be cowed, filled with fear, and have been bullied and intimidated into accepting a worldview, a way of living life, which has caused division, weakness, hostility, and mental disease to spread like a mind virus.
 
They have been deceived to think it is loving, fashionable and good to live, encourage and legislate lies, to spread those lies and lead children to believe harmful things like all the gender, sexual immorality, anti-life, anti-God, self-focused propaganda, flooding the world through powerful Hollywood, mainstream, and now social media machinery.
 
Celebrating unhealthy behaviour and beliefs does not lead to good health outcomes. This only leads to brokenness, to unsoundness of mind. It not only cannot truly satisfy human beings, but it leads to harming human beings.
 
No matter how loudly or how often people yell, coerce, and frighten other people to believe these bad things are somehow now good. deceiving themselves and others. No matter how forcefully or cleverly they impose their views on the world, silence their opposition, and insist that everyone must now believe and celebrate what they are yelling and screaming at us. It all ends in tears. It just causes harm.
 
Forcing people, brain-washing and grooming children, insisting that something not true now has to be true, cannot lead to good things. It will lead to mental and physical confusion and distress potentially on a scale never experienced in human history.
 
If your child’s math teacher started forcefully proposing and insisting that 2 + 2 = 5, you would hopefully speak up without fear. You would change schools. You wouldn’t buy or watch the Hollywood movie normalizing that lie.
 
Yet people are filled with fear and are not acting against this cultural madness. It is a spirit of fear which prevents normally sane parents from speaking up. Believing these cultural lies will only confuse the mind and lead to more mental illness.
 
This is already evident in the rampant plague of mental illness raging throughout the western nations, and others consuming this propaganda, flying that flag. How else can you explain the rise in mental illness? Why isn’t it happening in countries which have not been cowed into normalizing abnormal behaviour?
 
A spirit of power, love and a sound mind will not be cowed into a spirit of fear or silence. Especially when it is children who are one of the main targets of these propagandists seeking to groom them toward a particularly dark sexual behaviour and ultimate slavery.
 
A spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. How do we get that? Seek, trust, and follow your Creator. He made you; He knows and wants what is best for you, He loves you. He loves you so much that "He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
 
Turn off Hollywood. Turn off the media. Critique the Gramsci propaganda lessons at your schools and universities (or watch a PragerU video instead). Filter what you allow into your mind.
​
Choose life. Choose a sound mind. Choose the good fruit over the rotten. The good over the bad. Choose Christ.
 
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners.
​

Joy Follows Weeping

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5).

"The voice of weeping shall be no more heard." (Isaiah 65:19) "‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)

God's people will one day weep no more. All the causes of sadness are earthly, temporary and will disappear. There will one day be no such thing for you as a broken heart, broken relationships, failed dreams, lost wealth, lost reputations, lost health, lost loved ones, depression, loneliness.

Our earthly lot will be replaced by heavenly treasure, eternal security, peace and joy. No selfish agendas, no broken relationships, no pride, no misunderstandings, no corrupt motives, no betrayals, no wars, famines, fire-storms, pandemics, poverty, sickness or death.

Come into the presence of God, as the psalmist did in Psalm 73, and see how fleeting our troubles really are. Wipe your tears, lift your eyes to heaven and anticipate the morning.

Joy is coming. All is well.
​
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners.

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matt. 18:21-22)

We can keep in mind the parable of the unmerciful servant, (Matt. 18:21-35) to remind us not only how much we have been forgiven by God, but that this forgiveness comes with a requirement from us, to have a forgiving spirit. 

We are to, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col 3:13). “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32) 

Like losing sight of a ship sailing off over the horizon, we need to lose sight of our grudges. Leave everything to God who, unlike us, can do something about everything. Cast all your burdens on God and don't try to pick them up again by holding a grudge.

This does not come easily or naturally from us. We need God’s help. We need to cooperate with God and cultivate a persistent, daily, conscious habit of just dropping whatever it is that offends us or hurts us and giving it over to God.

To truly love someone, we need to choose to love them. Likewise, we also need to choose to forgive.
​
A good rule of thumb when trying to give something up is to replace it with something else. So, if you are trying to give up coffee, replace it with water. If you are trying to give up spending too much time on a device like your phone, replace it with playing games or spending uninterrupted time with your children. Replace spending frivolously with saving for a purpose. That sort of thing.

Likewise, if you need to give up holding that grudge, replace it with something else, maybe like being intentionally kind or compassionate to that person or just anyone. Just do something nice for someone (Eph4.32). You have nothing to lose, and you will feel much better.
​
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

Life, Joy, Never-ending Pleasures

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4)
​
Who wants life, joy, and never-ending pleasures? Like Abraham’s question below we do not need to wait for the answer. It is generally a given.
 
We spend much of our earthly life seeking good things, desiring them, longing for them, working for them. It is almost as if deep down we kind of know they are achievable. Our text here is telling us that they are achievable. True life and the good things we are saved to, once we are saved from death, are attainable.
 
However, we are wasting our time trying to attain them in our own strength and looking in the wrong places. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved, and that because of His great love and His perfect justice and mercy.
 
If you do not know God. If you have not put your trust in Jesus. If you have not looked to the Son and trusted in Him and received eternal life, I urge you to not delay, to not put off seeking the truth about Jesus. Act on it today, ask Jesus for it and receive this precious gift of true life from your Creator, from the One who made you, who owns you, who loves you and who wants to have a living relationship with you.
 
If you have already looked to Jesus in complete trust then you are made alive in Christ. Whereas before: “you were dead in your transgressions and sins,… gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Whereas before you “were by nature objects of wrath.” But now, “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved…, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:1-9):
 
Jesus Christ and His atoning death on the cross is at the centre of God’s plan to redeem His creation and a people for Himself by justly dealing with sin and reconciling sinners to Himself. Let us therefore live out our earthly lives reflecting the love and mercy which our Redeemer God has shown to us. 

As Abraham asked, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" (Gen. 18:25) We know that God's holy nature requires justice, we must be judged for our sins for them to be removed, the judgment being eternal death (Rom. 6:23). We also know that God is love. We know that He loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for His people's sins (John 3:16). Jesus died as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29b).

We are justly saved because of God's perfect plan of salvation demonstrating His perfect justice and His perfect mercy. 

Therefore, being saved from eternal death, saved for Jesus’ name sake, and saved to a new life in Christ Jesus, let us live out our earthly lives in light of this reality, seeking the fullness of joy in glorifying our loving, just and merciful God.
 
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)


Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

Lift Your Eyes, Calm Your Heart

"But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:19-21)

Think about Joseph. The way his brothers had betrayed him and caused him so much pain, the way he was set up by Potiphar's wife and wrongly imprisoned. Yet these events were in God's purposes for Joseph and were part of His purposes for so many others, even for us in reading about them.

Joseph lost so much and suffered so much. Yet he forgave those who wronged him. How could he do that? He was only able to do this because he had a high view of God’s sovereignty. He eventually saw the big picture, that although his brothers and Potiphar's wife meant it for harm, God meant it for good. Joseph was used by God to provide food for most of the known world, including Joseph's own family and people during that severe famine. 

You and I know the reality of how difficult it is to forgive people. It is not in our fallen nature. We have a natural bias toward holding grudges and getting payback. Without God this bias runs rampant in individuals and in societies. Human history records what happens in periods where society has either forgotten God or openly wars against God.

Like Joseph we too need to have a high view of God’s sovereignty and providences. Trust that He is fully in control of every situation. Why should we rebel against that by holding grudges and not forgiving? Let God do His thing. He knows what He is doing.

For further reading to help in this: Psalm 37, Psalm 73 and Romans 8:28.
​
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners
​

No secrets from God

"Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:4)

We so often live our lives as if God is not real. What if we lived our lives fully believing that He is real! He is God, all knowing, all seeing. How different would our life, our relationships, our business dealings, and ultimately our wellbeing, joy, peace and fulfilment be if we did?

Here is something helpful to keep in mind every day from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “Throughout the whole of this day, everything I do, and say, and think, and imagine, is going to be done under the eye of God. He is going to be with me; He sees everything; He knows everything.”

This should help us think twice at least about how we live, how we relate, how we communicate, how we make our decisions. There is no such thing as keeping anything secret, private or confidential. Those thoughts, words, deeds, motivations, lies, deceits, anger, all the supposedly secret emails, texts, social media communications.

There are no secrets, and we are simply pretending if we think we can keep things secret from God. This should help us realize the dire reality of our situation. We are fully exposed to examination by God. If we are honest with ourselves this is terrifying.

All the blackness in our heart, all the true ugliness God sees in us every day is called sin. God is just and therefore cannot just overlook our sin, it needs to be dealt with justly. God tells us in the Bible that the wages of sin, the just consequences of sin, is death. Our sin deserves nothing less than the death penalty.

Yes, God is love, He is merciful and compassionate, but He is completely just too. What then can we do? How could we avoid our just sentence? We can do nothing on our own, but thankfully God can do something and He has.

Only God could bring about perfect justice and perfect mercy. Only God Himself could step in and pay the price due to rescue us from our sentence, to redeem us and pay the perfect sacrificial penalty for our sin. 

Our three in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (something theologians call the "Trinity"), out of abundant love, perfectly satisfies His own justice by taking the punishment for our sins upon Himself.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). God Himself stepped in as a substitute to die the death we deserve on the cross, so that we could be set free for all eternity.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)​
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

​May you live forever.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

God's people know that there is no hope for men, women or children other than in, and through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no true comfort available in times of loneliness, distress and despair other than that found in Jesus Christ.

There is nothing else which can fill the void, the empty hole in our soul, apart from Jesus Christ. Nothing which can calm the restlessness and give us true rest other than Jesus Christ. In the face of our inevitable death there is nothing that can help us except Jesus Christ. He simply is all there is for mankind. There is nothing else available.

But that is the great news, the fact that there IS something! There is true hope, there is salvation, there is help in times of trouble, there is eternal life, there is Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12)

If you know nothing about any of this please at least read about this in the Bible, after all why remain ignorant about the most widely read book in human history. Seek answers to your questions. Ask God to help you as you read and seek. He will answer. Ultimately I pray that you will find Christ and ask Him into your life and live forever.
​
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

Only One.

There is only one name given to man for salvation: Jesus Christ. Salvation and eternal life with God can be 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).

The exclusivity of our Creator's chosen method of salvation offends us humans. As does the fact that salvation is by faith alone, in this one name alone, and that faith is a free gift from God because of His grace alone. In other words there is nothing we could do or have to do. It is pride to think we could do anything to save ourselves. 

We should draw comfort from all this. The path to salvation is clear, it is only through faith in one name, Jesus Christ. And the way to receive this eternal salvation is simple and freely given to us.

There are no special religious rites, no skills or works of any kind are required of us. It is not complex. There is no power in man-centered religion, spiritual-sounding gurus, self-elevating priests, or self-righteous religious leaders. They are as useless as man-made statues.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

"...a person is not justified by the works of 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 the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:16)

"...I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:20-21)

So, what must we do to be saved? Simply ask this one Saviour, Jesus Christ, to save you. He is the only one who can. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved: (Acts 16:31)
​​
Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

The Greatest Refuge

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence." (Psalm 91:1-3)

Early in the year 2020 the world experienced the spread of the COVID-19 virus around the world. The early stages, of what quickly became a global pandemic, saw high numbers of deaths, especially among the elderly.

The media reports coming out of countries such as Italy spread fear around the world. Billions of people suddenly had their lives disrupted and were confronted with the grim reality that they or their loved ones may be about to die.

Where do we find refuge in such a situation? Many people turned to their governments, to the medical experts, to their community leaders. Some found temporary refuge in short-term solutions like entertainment, online shopping, alcohol or food.

At best all of these things only provide temporary relief. True and lasting rest is only to be found in God. There is only one name given to men, women and children by which they may be saved (Acts 4:12).

​This is great news as it means there is a way of salvation, there is a way of being saved. There is a place of shelter, a refuge where we can find lasting rest, peace and life.

No matter what governments or anyone else does, we are all destined to experience earthly death. There is simply no escaping this reality, no matter how much we try to ignore it. We are going to die and so are our loved ones. Whether it is by a coronavirus or other pandemics, firestorm, cancer, heart attack or some unexpected accident.

So this reality that there is a way of salvation, somewhere where we can take refuge and find a cure or vaccine for eternal death, is the greatest news.

Jesus Christ is that Saviour. Put your trust in Him. Ask Him into your life today and find true rest as you shelter from life's storms and eventual earthly death.

Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

There will be no more death!

“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.” (Isaiah 25:8).

How good is that! Death is our last enemy, one we cannot defeat ourselves no matter how technologically advanced we become, how much money we accumulate, how many influential people we know, how many good deeds we do in this life, how many of anything. There is however a cure for this last great enemy of mankind.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4).

This cure is freely available, does not depend on race, nationality, gender, age, political affiliation, earthly reputation, wealth or influence (none of these things will matter on your last day).

This cure has been tested on human beings for thousands of years and has proven to be 100% safe and effective for those who willingly receive it. This cure has one name and comes in no other brands, although there are many counterfeits.

This name is one of, if not the most well known names among the 7+ billion humans currently alive. There is no excuse for pretending you have not heard this name and had the opportunity look into it and to be vaccinated against eternal death.

This one name is: Jesus Christ. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

It leads to changed lives in this life and saved souls for eternity! You do not have to give any money, you do not need to elevate a human guru or priest. You have nothing to lose, except eternal life, so why not look into this further. You could start by reading more about this Cure for Death.

Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

Go to the Source for Joy

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)

There are many paths we could follow in life. Often the ones we take appear to offer much but deliver very little.

They may have a glitzy entrance, lots of lights and music to entice us to enter. They may be the ones with the crowds, all clamouring to follow each other. The ones where the people look good, smell good and confidently proclaim their path to be the best one. "This is where happiness can be found," they call out. However, their paths really end up being crooked and lead to death.

This Psalm tells us that there is a path of life. In so doing it confirms to us that there is a path (or paths) of death. God tells us here that the path of life is where true happiness is to be found. So, what can be expected on the paths of death? We are told here that the path of life leads to eternal pleasures. So, what do the paths of death lead to? 

Deep down nobody wants bad things. We are all kind of programmed to want happiness, and we seek it in all sorts of places and ways, most of which end up being like these wrong paths. 

The paths of death never look like paths of death! Like a confidence trickster they seek to deceive us to entice us. So how do we tell the difference? How do we choose life over death? It is not easy! If our first ancestors couldn't do it, how can we?

The answer is in the passage here, to go to the source of life, the source of true happiness. Trust God rather than man. Seek God rather than self. Read God's love letters to you, the Bible. They contain instructions about this path. (The book of Proverbs for example).

Ask God to make known to you the path of life, to fill you with true joy.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). Trust Jesus and live.

Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

Go to the Source for Rest

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." (Psalm 62:1)

We all have a picture of what our ideal rest looks like. We may long for a relaxing lakeside or beach holiday, or a walking holiday through the English countryside, or just anything but our usual daily grind. We may even find some rest just in the thought of such a break.

These rests are fleeting. They usually don't measure up, cost more than we planned and they don't last. Before we know it we are back into the restless daily reality of life, again longing for that elusive rest.

There is however a rest which fulfils, that doesn't disappoint, and never ends. Augustine of Hippo spoke of such rest when he said to God, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.”

Search as you may for true rest, it will never be found in a holiday, money, reputation, a career, an earthly relationship, a bottle, or stuff. It can only ever truly be found in the maker of our souls.

Photo and reflection by Craig Manners

A memory like an elephant!

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12)

I have a friend who has an amazing memory. She can recall all sorts of things with ease. I could say she has "a memory like an elephant", but that might be an exaggeration, because elephants are known to have incredible memories, maybe even better than my friend's. That is because the elephant's temporal lobe in their brain is larger and denser than that of people.

Whatever the truth of that, the Creator of the elephant's memory, and my friend's, has a memory infinitely better. God remembers absolutely everything.

That is a problem for all of us, as there is so much wickedness (in thoughts, words and deeds) accumulating from our past. This creates such a burden for us. That is one reason many people turn to things like alcohol, work, entertainment and other things to try to suppress and relieve this burden. The problem is that none of these things work for very long. The burden remains and just gets heavier.

BUT... there is a lasting solution. This burden can be removed completely and for eternity. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He took upon Himself all the sins of His people, He lifted their burdens from their backs and carried them Himself, and dealt with them justly once and for all on the cross.

You too can ask Jesus to bear your burdens for you. Trust Him and He will deal with them forever. You will be forgiven and it will be as if God forgets them altogether. He will now look at you as if you were clothed in Jesus' righteousness instead, you will be reconciled to God and can walk closely with Him for eternity.

If you would like to learn more about this "Great Exchange" and receive Jesus' perfect righteousness in place of your heavy, burdensome, broken past, start by just asking Jesus to help you and save you.

​Then read the Bible and find a church which believes the Bible. The Bible tells you what God is all about as He has revealed Himself, rather than as man would prefer Him to be. The former can help you, the latter cannot.

Photo and reflection by Craig Manners