I think the verses set fro reading and meditation are really good because they drew my attention to something I had not noticed before – and that’s found in verse 20 (the last verse).

Mark 16:9-20, NIV: “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

A number of people believe that the last sentence only applies to the apostles; and, these signs ceased when they all eventually died. I think it applies to everyone who is a disciple of Jesus – then and now! The work Jesus and the disciples started, has not been completed – the harvest field is still here and the workers are still – few in number, as has been the case for the last two thousand years - nothing has changed in that regard. Do you disagree?

Knowing all the facts about Jesus does not help you in any way whatsoever – Satan also knows more about Christ than most of us. Knowing various verses of Scripture and knowing the cultural context of Israel as described in the Old and New Testament is also of little value – unless, you act on this knowledge. Yet, the mystery is this: we can’t follow Jesus without His help – we must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with God’s love – then, and only then – can we follow Jesus.

As Selwyn says in his conclusion: ‘The disciples had all the facts of the gospel prior to Pentecost. Fact number 1: a crucified Christ (who died in our place, taking upon Himself the punishment we all deserve for our sins). Fact number 2: a resurrected Christ (proof that His sacrifice was successful, He has paid the price in full; we can be free, if we believe). Fact number 3: an ascended Christ (demonstrating that He now sits at the right hand of God).

Three great and gripping facts, but what difference did it make to them? Immediately after the resurrection we find that they were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews (John 20:19)! Then came Pentecost (when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit) and suddenly the facts were on fire. After that – what a difference! ”

We may know the facts about Christ – we may also call ourselves Christians – but unless our lives demonstrate that we are on fire for Jesus – we are no different to Satan! We must sacrifice our own selves and allow God to take full control of our hearts, mind and spirit. If, you are not sure that you have given your life to Jesus – then ask Him to so now, so that that His Spirit will come and live in you and set your heart on fire!

Today, Selwyn ‘looks at another fire – the passionate desire to be free of all moral restrictions’.

Our western society is now reaping the bitter harvest of sowing seeds which devalue human dignity – in this case, pornography. There are now very few limits placed on the type of pornography which is allowed to be produced or viewed by ‘consenting’ adults. The limits that may exist are continually being eroded – because the human imagination is always seeking something new and different, to fuel its satisfaction.

The average person has a moral instinct which tells them that what’s happening is wrong. I think, a compensating action to relieve the ‘corporate’ guilt, is to tighten up laws regarding child pornography. Yet, if an attractive young person of ‘legal’ age, who is economically disadvantaged, is paid to do the worst of what’s on offer to the adult world – then it’s okay!

This issue is serious because recent surveys of self-labelled Christians, show that pornography is a problem for a significant percentage of these people. All of us, at one time or another, have to face our own reactions when we view pornography – our sexuality is often triggered by a range of stimuli - sight, sound, smell and environment.  We are called to avoid those areas which lower our guard and allow Satan a foothold – if pornography is a problem then we must try everything to avoid the temptation – prayer, is the essential first step. Do you agree?

Selwyn’s conclusion is a challenge to all of us; “The reason why this destructive fire rages so fiercely in contemporary society is not because the divine fire is unable to extinguish it but because so few Christians are ready to allow their heart to become a hearth in which it can burn.”

Selwyn continues to discuss the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. One point he makes, which I think is worth thinking about, as we go about our day: ” … when we put ourselves at the centre of things we never experience true pleasure or satisfaction. We are out of harmony with the great design …’  of relationships as established by God.

Harmony, peace and joy finds a permanent place in our hearts only when we allow Jesus to be Lord and Master of our ‘destiny’. [However, keep in mind that He is always our Lord even if we don't recognise Him as such!]

The main verse for today’s study – captures the idea of total surrender of our being, to Jesus. Paul’s letter to the Galatians 2:20 (NIV): “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Jesus gave Himself to us, all we need to do is ‘give ourselves to God’ and live by faith. Why is it, that many people know this to be true, but don’t live by faith?

I agree with Selwyn when he says: “Most great thinkers and psychologists fail to understand that the greatest hunger in the human heart is the hunger for God. Our text today (see below) tell us that God has set eternity in our hearts. Augustine expressed the same thought in his well-known prayer: ‘O God, our hearts are restless and they cannot find rest until they find it in Thee.’

Let me reiterate that there is nothing wrong with experiencing pleasure. The wrong comes when we allow ourselves to be consumed by it – when we live for it alone. It is God, we are reminded, who ‘richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment‘ (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV).

The main verse from those set for reading and meditation is a good one to consider. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV): “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men and women … “. All of us, should have within us, the feeling that there is something eternal about our existence.

Satan’s greatest victory is when he persuades us that there is nothing after death – that he doesn’t exist – that there is no final accountability. Once, we’ve lock ourselves into that fatal mindset  – there is no exit because we have convinced ourselves that none exist. Satan has these people under ‘lock and key’, and he does not need to be concerned about their escape from bondage; because they can’t see their spiritual chains having closed their eye to eternity. They can’t feel their spiritual hunger because they believe there is nothing to reach out for: only God’s love can break through such a totally hardened heart and mind! 

I liked the words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians, especially this extract from today’s verses set for reading and meditation (1:18b-26, NIV):

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.” 

Paul writes these words while he is in chains – yet, his thoughts are for his friends – his life, after his conversion was driven by his love for God and for others; he placed, his self-interests last!

We seek to fill our lives with pleasure because we have not allowed God into our hearts, and that leaves an empty void that yearns to be filled. As Selwyn says in his introduction: ” … the fires of hedonism – the love and pursuit of pleasure. The roots of hedonism lie in the inner emptiness and boredom.”

As with the other destructive fires it’s the love of pleasure - the endless chasing after a ‘good’ time, that’s the issue. It’s placing the love of pleasure as our highest priority in life such that we neglect our relationship with God (and others).

The feelings of joy that we may experience when we watch a beautiful sunrise or when we hear an infant laugh is never better than when we are holding onto God’s hand.

The verses set for reading and meditation are great ones, especially the one about casting your anxiety on God, (1 Peter 5:1-11, NIV; here Peter is addressing fellow Christians): “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Young men and women, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ’God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Today’s study continues the discussion on the love of money and possessions; and I really liked the introduction: “Throughout the ages, those who have truly caught the spirit of their Master are the ones who have been gloriously emancipated from enslavement to things.”

The love of God must come first; before our love of any other person, possession or power. Yet, Satan is constantly trying to turn our hearts and minds away from God; and he has had centuries of experience. He knows your weaknesses and will put in your path whatever attracts you the most, in order to divert you from the narrow path. Satan wants you, and will encourage you, to seek the ‘here and now’; to the extent that you will forget about God and your eternal life. What’s your view?

I think Selwyn’s introduction says it all: “It is important to get it clearly in our minds that the passion for things can be transcended only by a higher and nobler passion – the passion for God. And it is not money or things that have to be consumed – but the love of them.”

He goes on to write: “When the fire of God is allowed to fall on the altar of our heart, and the acquisitive desire is burned up, then life takes on a sense of stewardship. We feel we are handling our money on behalf of (God).” 

We can be born into a wide range of different circumstances (position, wealth & health) as well as culture. We are also given a range of abilities and talents. Be certain of one thing – you will be called to give an account of how well you used the circumstances, abilities and resources that God gave to you – our stewardship will be examined by our Father. A sobering thought – don’t you agree?