Thursday, May 31, 2012

A new 'Hymn for Today' : 'Rejoice'


Rejoice   86 86
TUNE: Rejoice
Forever in Your rest, I pray,
Your peace is all to me:
Forever in Your rest I’ll stay,
Since You have set me free.
My life is all I have to give,
All else is naught to Thee:
My Saviour, take me as I am,
Then Yours I’ll ever be.
Forever raise in songs of praise,
My hands, my heart and voice:
Forever Yours, I’ll praise You,
Rejoice, my soul, rejoice!
Rejoice, my soul, rejoice!
© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

There is a need to preach the TRUE Gospel!

     How true this quotation from Ray Comfort is! In churches and chapels across our land there are many preachers occupying pulpits who have no gifting to preach and no holy and anointed calling to the pulpit. Instead of the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ they preach various other false gospels such as the Prosperity Gospel and the Social Gospel. The power of salvation is not in these empty gospels because all they are is a bunch of words strung together which are designed to tickle the ears of the listener. There is no anointing on either the preacher or the message.
     The message of the Gospel is about Salvation through Jesus Christ. It's all about the reason that God sent him in the beginning and the reason that He died on the cross at Calvary. It's about forgiveness from sin and reconciliation and repatriation to God.
     It's not about get-rich-quick entitlements, nor about social issues. It's not about angel visitations, nor is it about sprinklings of gold dust. It's not about making you feel good and superior to your neighbour, nor is it about being worthy of God's grace.
     It's all about a rescue plan for the lost, for people dead in sin who have a desperate need of revival --- and revival is about bringing what is dead back to life. 
     The plan is God's plan for mankind, not mankind's plan for God. We cannot earn salvation and redemption, but we can obtain it as a gift from God according to His grace.  By demonstrating faith in Christ and believing on Him as Saviour and acknowledging Him as Lord, we are blessed with the gift of salvation.
     Christ is the only way; there is no other way to be with the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Sermon on Galatians 5


FREEDOM INDEED!
Read: Galatians 5 and Exodus 20: 1 - 20
Some people believe that salvation can be achieved through the justification of works alone though, in that belief lies foolishness. Equally, we cannot be justified purely by faith, for Scripture teaches that " ... faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead!" (James 2: 17). Faith that's content merely to declare itself and go no further is not real faith at all. Simply declaring a basic belief in the existence of God is quite insufficient in salvation terms! Faith is only proved and developed when we act upon it. Works without the background of faith are empty works, and on their own they're spiritually meaningless. Equally, if faith alone is relied upon to achieve heaven's rewards then disappointment must surely follow. It's the combination of the two that is important. If, because of our faith, we do good works, then we shall see the Kingdom of God. Through faith we believe in the existence of the Triune God, the Three-in-One, Father - Son - Holy Spirit. It's because of our belief that we cherish the desire to do as Jesus taught us, in order that we can please God through our unfailing faith and belief in Him.
At Capernaum the people asked Jesus, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him who he has sent." (John 6 : 28/29) The only "work" that a man can do that is acceptable to God is to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, accepting the purpose for which He came. This neither excludes nor exempts us from doing good work in His Name, for Christ teaches that we should care for others as for ourselves, looking after the needs of those who are more vulnerable, whatever the reason, because everyone is precious in God's sight. But we do these things because of the faith that we have in Christ Jesus, out of obedience both to His wishes and the wishes of our Father, God.
Many people in the world are bound by it's temptations and attractions. Speaking to people about the things they consider to be important often results in some pretty selfish answers. Bigger houses, better holidays, winning the lottery, more luxurious cars, and so on! Surely the top of our list should be freedom, though freedom means different things to different people. To some simply means the freedom that can be expressed through personal choice, to others the freedom to go where they want when they want. If you were locked up then I'm quite sure that the latter would fit your own wants! Note that I say "if you were locked up", but so many people are locked up in the goal that sin provides for them. Yet everyone has access to the key to freedom within their grasp, for .__ it was for freedom that Christ set us free ...(Galatians 5:1).  When Jesus gave His life upon the cross He did it for everyone, so that by believing on Him they might be freed from the yoke and burden of sin. More than that, we are freed from the Law, for once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour then our lives will be led by the Holy Spirit who is given to us as Comforter and Guide, so that we might follow the Way in all things. If you are ... led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. (Galatians 5:18). The Law was given by God through Moses so that people might have a godly direction to guide their lifestyle, but once we have accepted Christ then we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and we should walk by the Spirit, and take notice of the Spirit's guidance in all that we do and say. And if we are truly led by the Holy Spirit then we will no longer carry out the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16), and we will no longer need to be under the Law. The prompting of the Spirit in our lives and our obedience, recognising it as the Will of God, will be all that we need. This is real freedom!
Look through any newspaper and you will see report after report detailing offences committed by people who follow their fleshly desires. We find the horror of child abuse, murder, rape and immorality of all kinds, reported so often that it has become commonplace, only the more bizarre cases warranting headlines. The really frightening thing is perhaps the very ordinariness of the perpetrators of so many of these crimes. Looking at Galatians 5: 19-21 we see such a variety of sin that it's easy to see just why people get deeper and deeper into it, one thing often leading to another. Scripture is quite clear, that those who practice sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Quite bluntly, it means that people bound by the flesh, no matter how many `good works' they may appear to do, will not go to heaven when they die. It's strange how even the most ardent non-believer will talk quite glibly about people having `gone to a better place' when they've been bereaved, speaking of someone who spent much of their lives in a drunken stupor or immoral behaviour. All these people have remained locked up by their commitment to the flesh, remaining under the Law, and yet constantly and deliberately turning their backs on it. How can they expect to find themselves with their passage booked to Heaven! What they can expect, however, is to face the Day of Judgment on their own, with no one to speak up for them except themselves. What an unbearable and awful thought that must be!
By contrast, living a Spirit-led life and getting to know God in an intimate and glorious way through Christ's grace, must be a most wonderful thing. To know with the utmost surety, because of the certainty of our faith in His Saving Grace, that we will have Christ as mediator to intercede for us on that Day of Judgement. How wonderful that will be!
Look at the benefits of a life lived through the Spirit's leading. We see from Scripture that `the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...' (Gal. 5: 22-23). Once we surrender ourselves to Jesus then we walk with Him, led by the Holy Spirit. No longer are we left to find our own way through life with all it's pitfalls and snares. Instead of fearing death we can look beyond it in glorious hope, knowing that death itself has been conquered. The glory of a hope that will never fade, will never diminish, that is the hope that we have in Christ Jesus! This is true freedom!
When we are experiencing the joys of the fruits of the Spirit then we'll have no need to boast of our cleverness or our prowess in this or that. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, if we must boast then let us boast in the Lord.
Let us understand the freedom that Christ has given to us, the freedom that frees us from the world, the freedom that leads us on a direct path to our Heavenly Father. Once we can understand it, once we can appreciate it, once we can embrace it, then we shall surely shout out loudly: Yes, this is freedom indeed!
To God be all glory, honour and praise!   Amen.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A New 'Hymn for Today' : 'We'll Praise God'


We’ll Praise God    76 76
TUNE: Cara
For all that God has given,
The blessing of our days,
We’ll glorify the Father,
In never-ending praise!
For every gift and talent,
For all the joy and love,
Our worship wings to heaven,
In praise of God above.
For He alone is worthy,
Deserving of our praise,
So now our lives we offer,
Walk always in His ways.
© 2009 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Here's my 'Hymn for Today' which I hope you like enough to use in your baptismal services.


Baptism   L.M.
TUNE: Melcombe
As to the Jordan  went our Lord,
So now we bring this child to you.
Baptise with water and with Word,
As you have bid us all to do.


This little child we now baptise,
As heir of our Redeemer’s grace;
A living symbol of our faith,
With water now a cross we trace.


On his behalf our promise make,
To lead him in the Christian way;
To watch and teach, and help him learn
To follow Jesus every day.


So now dear Lord, we hand him o’er,
Into Your pure and loving care;
To mould him in Your perfect way,
Him for Your Kingdom to prepare.
© 2006 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh 

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

New 'Hymn for Today'


Here's my new 'Hymn for Today' for you to sing along with through the day, praising the Lord as you go. Of course, you can also use it in your worship services on Sundays. I hope you enjoy using it.

Walking with Jesus
TUNE: Rufaro
I'm walking with Jesus
each moment of the day;
yes, I'm walking with Jesus,
He's the Truth, the Life, the Way.
The road is straight and narrow,
and it sometimes can be rough;
sometimes it's so easy,
but other times it's tough.
     Walking with Jesus,
     He's the Truth, the Life, the Way.
     Walking with Jesus,
     Every minute of the day.

My life would be empty
if Jesus were not there,
then I would find life's burdens
were far more than I could bear.
I praise God that He's with me
every minute of the day,
Jesus is my Saviour,
the Truth, the Life, the Way.
     Walking with Jesus ...

Walking on life's highway,
no need to be alone;
just share the road with Jesus,
till the day He takes you home.
Keep on the straight and narrow,
even when the goings tough;
He'll ease every journey,
and smooth away the rough.
     Walking with Jesus ...
© 2010 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Monday, May 28, 2012

'In Praise of Him' series of Meditations

 Have you checked out these popular and Award-winning collections of Christian verse and meditations by Colin Gordon-Farleigh? You can buy them on-line from Voice Publications.

There is also a best-selling CD available with a generous 34 tracks, including 'King of Kings.' You can download individual tracks or the whole album from CD Baby, iTunes or Amazon, or purchase the CD from Sheer Joy Music

Sunday, May 27, 2012

A new 'Hymn for Today' : 'My Prayer'


My Prayer (2)    7777
TUNE: Lübeck
Father, hear me as I pray,
Jesus take my sins away;
Help me pass the darkest night,
Praise His glory in the Light.
Though in sin I bow in shame,
Help me call upon His name;
Help me learn how to forgive,
Each day teach me how to live.
Help me always as I walk
Live the life and talk the talk;
Know the Truth, the Life, the Way,
Serving Jesus ev’ry day.
Helping others in His name,
Till we stand in heaven’s light;
Find salvation through the Son,
Praise Him for the battle  won!
© 2006 Colin Gordon-Farleigh

You are a Child of God!



A seminary professor was on vacation with his wife in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did come over to their table. 
'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice, to which they replied 'Oklahoma.'
'Great to have you here in Tennessee,' the stranger said... 'What do you do for a living?' 
'I teach at a seminary,' the professor said. 
'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great.. Just what I need --- another preacher story. 
The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (Pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?' 
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so badly. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. The boy would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'  But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that the boy got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'  The whole church went deathly quiet.  He could feel every eye in the church looking at him.  Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?' 
This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy --- 'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.' 
With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance.. Go and claim it.'  The boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again.  Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just say, 'I'm a Child of God.'' 
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a great story?' 
The professor agreed that it really was a great story! 
As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!' And he walked away.  The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and said, 'Do you know who that man was --- the one who just left who was sitting at our table?' 
The waitress smiled and said, 'Of course. Everybody here knows him.  That's Ben Hooper. He's the governor of Tennessee!' 
Someone in your life today needs a reminder that he or she is a child of God!  YOU could be the person to change their life!
'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands Forever.'  Isaiah 40.8
YOU ARE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN! 



Saturday, May 26, 2012

A new 'Hymn for Today'


Every  Need    7676 D
TUNE: Thornbury
For ev’ry need I have, Lord,
Each prayer that You fulfil,
I know they have been granted
By Your great love and will,
      I need You, O Lord Jesus,
      Each night and ev’ry day,
      To guide me and to keep me,
Upon the narrow way.
As I walk on the pathway
Of my life’s narrow road,
Lord Jesus, by Your promise,
Help me to bear my load.
I need You, O Lord Jesus . . .
My gracious Lord and Saviour,
Sent by God’s love and grace,
May I forever serve You,
My sight fixed on Your face.
I need You, O Lord Jesus . . .
© 2010 Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Inspirational Pictures for FREE Download

 You can find lots of 'Voice Art' pictures for free download on the 'Voice Art' page of my website. These are pictures originally created for use in my magazine, 'The Voice Christian News & Views.'






Friday, May 25, 2012

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Are We An Example'


ARE WE AN EXAMPLE
 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (King James Version)
     Are we an example of the believers as the Bible instructs us to be?  When people look at us, do they see and hear the beauty of Jesus or do they see and hear the ugliness of satan?  There is no middle ground.  They either see and hear the beauty of Jesus in us or they see and hear the ugliness of satan.
     Ron Hamilton wrote a song as a tribute to his dad “I Saw Jesus In You”.  Ron saw Jesus in his dad.  Yesterday, I was talking to one of my friends and I told her “I see Jesus in you”.  The desire of my heart is to make Jesus happy and for people to see Jesus in me.  This should be the desire of every Christian.
     Heavenly Father, O, how I want people to know that I love Jesus.  I pray that people will always see Jesus in me by the loving things that I do for them and hear Him in the kind words that I say to them.  May we always exalt the beauty of Jesus in everything that we say and do.  Amen.
Joanne Lowe
May 25, 2012

Swallow Falls : 'Living Water'


Living Water 

"Over boulders
            water rushing,
from the mountains
                 water gushing --- 
in a hurry,
            ever cleansing
comes the living
              flow from God."
          © 2011 : Colin Gordon-Farleigh

A New Hymn for Today: 'Let Us Sing To God!'


Let us Sing to God!  6686
TUNE: Dover
Come, let us sing to God,
Come, let us all shout for joy!
Let us all worship Christ the King,
The manger-cradled boy!
Come, let us sing to God,
Sweet love songs for His Son;
Come let us worship Christ the Lord,
Come, O my Saviour, come!
Come, let us sing to God,
And all your praises bring;
Let us all worship God’s own Son,
Our Saviour and our King!
© 2011 :  Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Some of the World's Beautiful Places

Here is my choice for the most beautiful places on Earth. I would love to spend time in any of them and soak up the atmosphere and marvel at the sheer beauty of it all. Through these places I would worship God, praising Him for His staggeringly beautiful creation, and marvelling at the way that man can work with Him side by side.